City Of Troy is set to make a bold bid for a seventh and final victory in his racing career at the Breeders' Cup Classic in California this Saturday. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Derby-winning colt, who is a progeny of Triple Crown champion Justify, aims to conclude his racing journey on a high note at Del Mar before transitioning to breeding.

With an impressive record of seven wins in eight starts, City Of Troy has drawn comparisons to the legendary Frankel. This race will mark his first experience on dirt after a successful career primarily on turf. O’Brien, a record-breaking trainer from Ireland, expressed his excitement about this opportunity, noting that he has aimed for this prestigious race with numerous horses over the years, with his closest attempt being 24 years ago when Giant’s Causeway finished as a runner-up.

O’Brien recognizes the challenges that lie ahead, stating that the Classic represents the ultimate test for any thoroughbred. He emphasized that training for such high-stakes races demands rigorous preparation, particularly when competing against older horses and adapting to a different surface.

City Of Troy will face stiff competition from local favorite Fierceness and Japanese contender Forever Young. Ryan Moore will be aboard City Of Troy as he seeks victory following strong performances that included wins at Epsom, Sandown’s Coral-Eclipse, and the Juddmonte International at York. His only defeat came earlier this season in the 2,000 Guineas.

To prepare for this significant race, O’Brien arranged special training sessions on an all-weather track using American-style starting stalls. This preparation drew considerable attention, with around 1,000 spectators attending in person and thousands more watching via live stream.

The two-day Breeders' Cup also features leading British contenders like Bradsell and Big Evs. Additionally, Frankie Dettori will reunite with Emily Upjohn for an opportunity in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

O’Brien kicked off the event with two victories on Friday, bringing him equal to D Wayne Lukas’s record for most winners at the Breeders' Cup with 20. Jockey Moore secured wins in both the Juvenile Fillies Turf and Juvenile Turf races, showcasing their strong form heading into Saturday’s marquee event.

As anticipation builds for this classic showdown, City Of Troy’s journey continues to capture the attention of racing fans eager to witness whether he can secure another remarkable win before retiring to stallion duties.