City Of Troy silences the doubters with emphatic Epsom Derby victory amid loose horse drama
FAVOURITE City Of Troy silenced the doubters with an emphatic Epsom Derby victory amid loose horse drama.
Voyage unseated early and ran in and out of the runners round Tattenham Corner and down the hill.
Ryan Moore looked a bit boxed in on the 3-1 Aidan O'Brien-trained superstar two-year-old.
But there was an instant response when he hit go and the son of Justify absolutely flew home.
It was justification for his legendary trainer, who was on a massive rebound mission after City Of Troy flopped completely in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.
Moore said: "We got a few things wrong at Newmarket in the Guineas. We identified those and got it right today.
"He had the loose horse in front of him but he quickened well and you have to be delighted with what he did."
It was a 1-3 for Ireland with O'Brien's 6-1 Los Angeles finishing in third.
Sandwiched in the middle was big Brit hope Ambiente Friendly who ran so well to finish second at 9-2.
O'Brien said: "So many people all the way along put their heart and soul into this horse.
"For us it's so exciting and Ryan gave him an incredible ride.
"I made mistakes training him for the Guineas and we discussed it before - the Guineas was definitely my fault, he was too fresh and unprepared.
"That's just the reality of it. But we learned from it.
"Since then everything has been beautiful. He really grew up. The incredible thing is the cruise and ability he has, it's so exciting.
"He's no doubt the best Derby winner I have trained. He quickens and he stays.
"He's just an incredible horse."
City Of Troy was smashed into 5-1 for the Arc in Paris in October but the dirt surface in the US for the Breeders' Cup could also be a target.
And of course the millions and millions and millions City Of Troy will almost undoubtedly go onto make at stud.
More to follow.
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