Two Horses Supplemented For The July
Entries Open for the 2025 Cape Racing Sales Two-Year-Old Sale
Picture: One Stripe topped the CRS Two-year-old Sale in 2023 and his R1,4 million price has proved a bargain as he has already won two prestigious races, the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, among others and has more opportunities waiting for him overseas.
Cape Racing Sales is delighted to announce that entries are now open for the highly anticipated Cape Racing Sales Two-Year-Old Sale, taking place on Saturday, 25 October 2025.
The timing of this sale is crucial for the horses who require more time in the paddock and to mature. It responds to the growing demand from buyers seeking high-quality stock ready for training.
Cape Racing Sales is proud to offer a dedicated platform that meets this need, with a curated catalogue of juveniles from many of South Africa’s most prominent breeders and consignors. Last year’s sale experienced a diverse buyer bench and sales-topping prices, so the 2025 edition is expected to draw strong interest once again.
Entries close on Monday, 4 August 2025, and due to limited capacity and high demand, consignors are urged to enter early.
One Stripe, a three-time Grade 1 winner and top-class performer topped the 2023 sale at R1 400 000. The son of One World was a dominant force at two, winning both the Gr 3 Cape Of Good Hope Nursery and Gr 3 Winter Nursery, and then continued to excel at three with victories in the Gr 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate, Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas, and Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup. With career earnings exceeding R4.3 million, One Stripe stands as a flagship graduate of this sale.
Other notable performers include Frances Ethel, winner of the 2024 Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks, who was purchased for R220 000 at the 2022 sale. Fellow graduates Coastal Commander, Dixieland Band, and Winter Snap have also gone on to earn black type and multiple wins, reinforcing the quality available at this sale.
Justin Vermaak, Racing and Bloodstock Executive for Cape Racing, commented:
“Last year’s two-year-old division was one of the strongest we’ve seen in recent seasons, and it confirmed the importance of offering a focused platform for unbroken juveniles. The 2025 Two-Year-Old Sale will provide buyers with access to horses of real depth and potential. Hollywoodbets Durbanville remains the ideal venue for this progressive and vibrant sale.”
Entry forms and full information are available at www.caperacingsales.co.za or by contacting Vicky Minott at vicky@caperacingsales.co.za.
-ends-
Selukwe Raised To 111, My Best Shot Stays On 111
Selukwe wins the WSB 1900 in convincing style (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Handicapping Ratings Update (NHA Press Release)
World Sports Betting 1900 (Grade 3)
SELUKWE’s official merit rating has been adjusted from 103 to 111 following his impressive victory in the Grade 3 World Sports Betting 1900 over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday. The Handicappers determined that the consistent NARINA TROGON was the most suitable line horse for assessing this race. Consequently, his rating remains unchanged at 106.
The ratings of the following horses were increased:
- UNDERWORLD, who secured third place, had his rating increased from 108 to 109.
- OKAVANGO, who was weighted to run last, outperformed his pre-race rating and was accordingly increased from 96 to 105.
Two horses received merit rating reductions:
- INFINITE WONDER dropped from 102 to 100.
- MADISON VALLEY, who failed to confirm his adjustment for the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup in three subsequent runs, was reduced from 117 to 113.
World Sports Betting East Cape Derby (Listed)
The best-weighted runner, MY BEST SHOT, maintained his official merit rating of 111 after securing a comfortable victory in the Listed World Sports Betting East Cape Derby over 2400m at Fairview Racecourse on Friday.
The Handicappers opted not to use MY BEST SHOT as the line horse, as his expected dominance in the race may have led to an inflated assessment of the other runners. Instead, FIRST WISH, the third-place finisher, was chosen for this purpose, with her rating remaining at 91.
Two horses saw their ratings increase following their performances:
- ARDABIL, the runner-up, was increased from 90 to 99 for beating the 91-rated line horse by 1.75 lengths (3-points) while conceding 2.5kg (5-points) to that rival.
- MISTER SPEAKER, who finished fourth, was elevated from 93 to 95.
No horses received merit rating decreases in this race.
French Classic Success For The United States Relative
Henry Matisse wins the French 2000 Guineas (Picture: Coolmore Stud)
Cape Breeders
Moutonshoek’s successful stallion The United States hails from an outstanding female line, and this remarkable family got another notable boost on Sunday.
Top-class three-year-old Henri Matisse, whose third dam Mill Princess is the fourth dam of The United States, showed his class when he won Sunday’s G1 Emirates Poule d’ Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas).
Aidan O’Brien picked up a sixth French 2000 Guineas though it was far from plain sailing for 9/4 favourite Henri Matisse who had favourite backers sweating in what was an odd race to the eye as Dos Mukasan set a strong tempo in the early stages before Misunderstood and Serengeti pressed on before halfway in a stretched-out field.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Henri Matisse had plenty of ground to make up under Ryan Moore turning for home as the Andrew Balding-trained Jonquil took over the running under Oisin Murphy with two furlongs to go.
However, the Ballydoyle runner picked up very well and hit the front a furlong out. Jonquil rallied once headed, however, and only went down by a narrow margin at the line.
A tilt at the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes could be next for Henri Matisse.
A colt by Wootton Bassett (also the sire of Poulains third place finisher Camille Pissarro), Henri Matisse has won six of eight starts.
He is out of the top-class Pivotal (also broodmare sire of The United States) mare Immortal Verse, winner of both the G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois. An outstanding producer, Immortal Verse is also the dam of dual G1 winner Tenebrism and G2 winner Statuette.
His G1 Ranvet Stakes winning relative The United States came up with a pair of winners over the past weekend, with the chestnut’s son House Of Sussex scoring at Fairview on Friday and another son, Navajo Nation, winning at Turffontein on Sunday.
Blue Holly Can Get Back To Winning Ways
Blue Holly (Gimmethegreenlight) has been tipped to win the 7th over 1200m. (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Wednesday Formguides And Selections
R1 Summary: STAR IN MOTION (20 raced green in a promising debut. Should improve with the benefit of a race. THAT’LL BE THE DAY (3) makes his debut but judged on jockey bookings looks the pick of Glen Kotzen’s trio. GEORGE’S MAGIC (6) has shown some ability and can improve on his last effort where he took on some promising opposition. QUINN’S TIME (9) made a fair debut. He should improve but has drawn wide. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-6-9).
R2 Summary: MALSHANA MOU (3) has put in two smart showings over shorter. She has drawn well here and can go one better. KALI BWANA (2) was a beaten weak favourite last run although she has put in two improved efforts. She took on winners last run. SCANDALIZE (1) is a Cape raider who has put in two modest efforts to date but likely to make good improvement over this trip. ALANNAH (8) has a tricky draw to contend with but has made steady improvement and is tried over the trip. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-1-8).
R3 Summary: Tricky handicap. NOODSBERG (1) was probably in need of her last run after returning from a break. She meets some useful older runners but does look to have more to come. Gary Rich has two competitive runners in ENGLISH PRIMROSE (3) and DAWN SURPRISE (5). Judged on jockey bookings Dawn Surprise could be the pick but English Primrose is back on her favourite surface where she has finished runner-up in her last four outings on the poly. SLY VELOCITY (4) has finished runner-up in her last three starts in PE but is struggling for her second win.(Andrew Harrison: 1-3-5-4).
R4 Summary: Tricky handicap. Visiting SILKY JET (4) takes on males but has useful Highveld form over the trip. She should be competitive. KING BAVARIAN (1) has consistent form and a handy galloping weight. The stable is in form. STORM AHEAD (5) is another visitor that has improved at his last two and his apprentice rider has been replaced by Calvin Habib. BASIE RAAKVAT (2) has been knocking at the door and stays the trip well. (Andrew Harrison: 4-1-5-2).
R5 Summary: Dean Kannemeyer could hold the key with his two runners. DANCING ON A CLOUD (1) ran well below expectations first up after his comfortable maiden win. That was in soft ground and he can make amends. UZWANO (2) was much improved in blinkers last run behind Okavango who was due to race in the Gr2 WSB 1900 on Saturday. LANDSEER (9) showed up well first run back from a break and can improve back on the poly. Stable companion FAIRE ADVANTAGE (11) returns from a lengthy break but won his last two over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-9-11).
R6 Summary: Wide open handicap. FIREBURST (3) got a hefty five-point rise in the handicap for her last win but she finished well to get her head in front and could possibly follow up. THE MIGHTIEST (4) shows some promise and was a good second last time out for which she got a three-point rise in the ratings. GREENHOUSE (1) was not far back in her first local outing and Kabelo Matsunyane replaced the inexperienced apprentice from a plum draw. QHAWEKAZI (2) had some fair Cape form and will have needed her first run for her new stable. One to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 3-4-1-2).
R7 Summary: BLUE HOLLY (3) is a smart filly and although her best recent form has been over a furlong shorter she has a light weight. RICH FOLKS HOAX (5) was narrowly beaten first up in KZN and is now o.5kg better off with QUANDARY (6). There should again be very little between the two. ICY BLAST (2) is never far back and was a narrow winner last start. She boasts some fair form to stronger. (Andrew Harrison: 3-5-2-6).
R8 Summary: COTTON RON (1) has been coming down the ratings but has been consistent. He has a plum draw and his apprentice rider has been replaced. THERE SHE GOES (9) does not have the best of draws but has been banging on the door on the Highveld. The poly should suit and she rates a strong winning chance. PURPLE POWAHOUSE (10) is always game and has not been out of the money in his last five starts. Has the widest draw to contend with but expect another honest effort. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-10-8).
R9 Summary: ICY ELEANOR (3) was given a lengthy break after her debut win. She was close-up after a break of nearly a year and can go one better. DIYARANI (8) returns from a break and has her first run for a new stable. She shed her maiden on the poly and should feature. Tienie Prinsloo has two competitive runners in HAPPY ANALIA (5) a narrow winner last start but consistency rewarded and RUGGER LOVER (9) who is now 1kg better off with Icy Eleanor for just under a length beating. The draw and some expected improvement from Peter Muscutt’s runner could see the result confirmed. (Andrew Harrison: 3-8-9-5).
Purton To Enjoy A Good Night At Happy Valley
Zac Purton has been tipped to win Race 3 and Race 6 (Picture: HKJC)
Happy Valley Wednesday Formguides And Selections
Tim Carroll (At The Races)
Tim’s last column included 4 winners (including at 10/1), and our expert is back to preview Wednesday’s action at Happy Valley.
This Wednesday sees a competitive nine-race card from Happy Valley getting underway at 12.40pm (SA Time). The feature of the meeting is race 4, the Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap, over 1 mile.
Now onto this week’s selections.
Race 1: Class 5 Yue Wan Handicap (12.40pm SA Time) (9 furlongs)
8 MR ALADDIN is yet to shed his maiden status in twenty-one goes, but he has shown signs of improvement recently and arrives off a solid effort in defeat last time when runner-up over course & trip to Leather Master, and with the handicapper leaving him alone for that, he meets that rival on 6lb terms for a 1.25 length defeat. However, he had a tough run that night plated wide without cover the entire way with the rider forced to make his move a long way out. He draws the same stall again (11), but if he can find some cover, a repeat effort would see him go close to breaking his duck.
Dangers:
10 Leather Master goes up 6lb having won over course & trip last time with the selection back in second and he once again is likely to punch forward in a race offering no more than an honest gallop.
4 Go Go Go was disappointing last time, but he won over the mile at Sha Tin earlier in the season and he was runner-up his penultimate try over this trip at Happy Valley, and Anrea Atzeni takes over from a claimer.
1 Silver King has been disappointing since arriving from New Zealand as a Group 2 winner, but he has placed from a mark of 36lbs higher, albeit that was on his local debut, but he drops into the bottom grade for the first time.
Race 2: Class 3 Choi Wan Handicap (1.10pm) (5 furlongs)
4 SEASONS WIT hasn’t won for a long time, but he’s on a mark 19lb below his last win having been runner-up over course & trip last time behind a promising unexposed type and with a few of these in behind. The selections previous bare figures look average, but he has featured in the stewards report a few times recently and although not a luckless loser last time, he once again didn’t have the rub of the green when slightly tard out of the gates. They have recently returned him to the 5 furlongs, which looks a good move, and whilst he’s nearly no chance of leading, he does have the inside draw this time which will hopefully see him with all the favours.
Dangers:
1 Stellar Express has just the one win from eighteen local starts, but he has a plumb draw, he takes a drop in grade having kept some decent company recently and will find this more to his liking.
7 Parents Love ran with merit from the front to grab the bronze over course & trip one spot behind the selection last time when having his first spin at this level and is likely to give a bold bid from the front again.
5 Looking Bright, who won a 5.5 furlongs maiden at his second & final start in Australia, makes his local debut having flashed some speed when runner-up in a couple of recent trials and the booking of Purton would suggest a forward showing is expected.
Race 3: Class 4 Wu King Handicap (1.40pm) (1 mile)
1 SUNDAY’S SERENADE had run with merit a few times without winning at Sha Tin but has found his niche here at Happy Valley and arrives on a course & trip three-timer at just his third start at the city track. The selection goes up 7lb for a narrow margin success last time, which sees him at the top of the handicap, which does make things a tad more challenging. However, he won in impressive style last time when having to make up ten-lengths on the leaders coming into the straight but attacking the line with plenty of purpose to win a tad cosy in the end.
Dangers:
5 Midori Fuji, who was a twice winner in Australia, is yet to break his local duck in seven goes but ran a Hong Kong career best last time when rattling late over course & trip, beaten a lip in second, and he’s open to further improvement.
12 Courier Magic has been unplaced his last two when on the sharp end of the betting, but there were genuine excuses two back when severely checked. and he had run with merit in defeat before than when hitting the frame over course & trip a few times and could easily bounce back here.
11 Arthurs Kingdom was in flying form at the back end of last season and the start of the current campaign, and although he has disappointed a few times recently and has won over further, he’s been leading and stopping in his races, thus the drop back in trip may help, he draws the inside and goes from the foot of the handicap.
Race 4: Class 2 Choi Hung Handicap (2.10pm) (1 mile)
4 CALIFORNIATOTALITY, who was thought highly enough of by connections that he contested the Derby in March, has had a good season which has seen his rating climb 28 points on the back of four wins, including when successful over 9 furlongs at Sha Tin last time when he had a couple of these well beaten in behind. He does go up 6lb for that onto a career high mark, and he cuts back to the mile, but he’s a thrice winner over this trip, thus I have no concerns on that front. The Tony Cruz 4yo will be having just his second spin on the city track having been runner-up here in January, and from the low draw he should have the gun run behind the likely pace setters (Telecom Fighters & Soleil Fighter).
Dangers:
5 Soleil Fighter has recorded three wins and four placed efforts from his last seven starts with all but one of those being over course & trip and although he goes up a further 1lb after a solid effort in defeat at Sha Tin last time, Purton, who has a perfect one-from-one record on the David Hayes trainer runner, is reunited.
3 Telecom Fighters goes up 5lb having won on the dirt at Sha Tin last time, but he’s a multiple turf winner and although the last of those wins was a while ago, he is the likely leader here and could get a good time of it on the front.
1 Helene Feeling is a consistent type, but he pays for that in the handicap and although he’s likely to run well, he must concede 13lb-20lb to all but one of his rivals, which will be no easy task.
Race 5: Class 4 Tin Sau Handicap (2.40pm) (6 furlongs)
1 GALAXY WITNESS has been a tough one for followers, having shown plenty of ability as a younger horse but not going on with it, and his last win was a long time ago. However, the selection ran well enough in fourth last time when meeting some trouble 300m out, which was his first run on turf since February, and he has run similar races from much higher marks in the past. The big selling point for this assignment is that he drops down into a Class 4 for the first time since early on in his career, and this represents a golden opportunity to finally get back on the board. The Caspar Fownes 6yo might not be the punters pal, but he lands in what looks a moderate Class 4 and from the draw with Bowman sticking solid, he should give this a decent shake.
Dangers:
11 New Power hasn’t won since last season, but he’s gone close a few times recently, including when beaten half-a-length in third from a high draw over course & trip last time, and he should get the gun run from the low draw this time.
3 Fortune Whiskey, who is a twice course & trip winner this year, has struggled a tad from a similar mark his last three spins, but he ran well enough in defeat when third last time and the grader drops him 1lb here.
4 Sight Happy was unplaced from a high draw over 5 furlongs last time but he had a win and couple of placed efforts from his previous four runs over this trip, Purton sticks solid, and he does have a kinder draw this time.
Race 6: Class 4 Tin Sau Handicap (3.10pm) (6 furlongs)
8 BIENVENUE is a nine-start maiden that looks a winner in waiting having been runner-up in three of his last five starts. The selection was having his first spin on the city track when beaten a nose over course & trip last time when just failing to pick up a rival that had a good time of it on the front. He goes up 2lb for that, but this doesn’t look any stronger than his last race, he’s from a yard having a strong season (currently second in the championship) and its always a positive to see Purton maintaining the faith having ridden the selection for the first time at his most recent start.
Dangers:
1 California Deeply, who takes a drop in grade, has been unplaced his last five, but he won over course & trip from a 2lb lower mark the start prior, which is the last time we saw him at this level, and he draws the inside.
9 Country Dancer, who has won twice this season, arrives having been placed over course & trip last time and he tends to run his best races when he has a solid gallop to aim at, which he should get here.
5 Incredible Moment was kept safe in the market on debut when trying to make all before puncturing late to end up in fourth, and he should come on for the run, but he will have to overcome the outside draw here.
Race 7: Class 4 Tin Sau Handicap (3.45pm) (6 furlongs)
7 GLORY B broke his duck over course & trip three back and has been beaten a nose in second at his last two, including when in behind Tactical Command in March when well clear of the rest with a subsequent winner in third. Now that he’s on 2lb better terms with his rival and with the draws flipped, he should be able to turn that form around. The Douglas Whyte 5yo draws in 4 and the race maps for him to box seat in behind the leaders with all the favours under Hugh Bowman.
Dangers:
10 Solar River is an eight-start maiden that has run with a bit of promise a few times including when one spot behind the selection in third last time when he went from the front, and he once again has a low draw to try similar.
5 Tactical Command was unplaced at Sha Tin last time when given plenty to do from a high draw, but he had won back-to-back races over course & trip prior to that, however, he does draw high and will need some luck early.
2 Sweet Briar wouldn’t be the most obvious play having been unplaced his last six starts, but he takes a drop in grade and his record over this trip in Class 4 company reads 8-1-1-1, thus he should be included.
Race 8: Class 3 Nam Shan Handicap (4.15pm) (9 furlongs)
3 EXCELLENCE VALUE was an exposed type in Australia, winning two of his fourteen starts, but Mark Newnham has got a good tune out of the 4yo, winning with him over the mile in March, and two placed efforts since then. If you include Australia, he’s now had three starts over 9 furlongs and has been runner-up in all three including his most recent spin when a-length behind a handy rival with several of these well beaten in behind. The selection goes up 2lb for that, but he was over two-lengths clear of the third in a race that looks a strong pointer for this, and a repeat effort would see him go close.
Dangers:
2 Rocket Spade is probably more talented than his two wins from thirty-one starts record would suggest and he arrives having finished runner-up over the mile last time & enjoys this trip, but he’s a late closer, and there’s not a lot of pace in the race.
8 Joy Of Spring, who won back-to-back races over this trip at the end of last season, has had just the three runs since July and ran well enough in defeat last time when given plenty to do from a high draw at Sha Tin, he should strip fitter, and he did win over this trip when last seen here (July 2024).
4 Lovero has been a bit out of sorts recently, but his three wins have come when he’s punched forward, and they may elect to revert to those tactics here with a low draw and only a moderate gallop on offer.
Race 9 Class 3 Hoi Lai Handicap (4.50pm) (6 furlongs)
2 CRIMSON FLASH, who hacked up as an odds-on favourite in a maiden at his only start in Australia, broke his local duck at the fifth time of asking when winning over course & trip last time when having his first start at Happy Valley. The selection goes up 7lb for a 0.75 length win, but he had a bit to do at the top of the straight but closed out the race strongly when attacking the line with plenty of purpose. The penalty means he’s now toward the top of the handicap, but he’s still a low mileage type with scope for further improvement, and the yard are having a fantastic season with limited number, comparatively speaking.
Dangers:
3 Storm Rider hasn’t won for over a year but he’s ran two strong races in defeat when runner-up his last two over course & trip from similar draws to what he has here, and Purton takes over for the first time this season.
1 Lucky Eight has been consistent of late and this looks a slightly lessor contest than his last two where he was runner-up on both occasions, but it will take a good effort off top-weight from the high draw.
6 Wukong Jewellery, who won a maiden at his second and final start in Australia, makes his local debut for a trainer that usually likes to bring them to the boil, but he looked sharp when runner-up in a recent trial and a market watch is advised.
WEDNESDAY’S PLACEPOT
Today’s Tote Place Pot will be races 4 through to 9. All up we will be playing 81 combinations (3x3x3x3x1x1), which will cost £8.10 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck
LEG 1- 3 TELECOM FIGHTERS 4 CALIFORNIANATIONALITY 5 SOLEIL FIGHTER
LEG 2- 1 GALAXY WITNESS 3 FORTUNE WHISKEY 11 NEW POWER
LEG 3- 1 CALIFORNIA DEEPLY 8 BIENVENUE 9 COUNTRY DANCER
LEG 4- 5 TACTICAL COMMAND 7 GLORY B 10 SOLAR RIVER
LEG 5- 3 EXCELLENT VALUE
LEG 6- 2 CRIMSON FLASH
TIM’S BEST BETS (scale 1-5 points)
2.10pm HAPPY VALLEY
2pts win BIENVENUE
3.15pm HAPPY VALLEY
3pts win EXCELLENT VALUE
3.50pm HAPPY VALLEY
4pts win CRIMSON FLASH
Doubles For Domeyer/Bass-Robinson, Van der Merwe And Snaith
Aldo Domeyer scores on the talented Rafeef three-year-old gelding Empire State to give himself and Candice Bass-Robinson a double together. (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson had a double together at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and there were also individual doubles for JP van der Merwe and Justin Snaith.
Title chasers Craig Zackey and Richard Fourie each had a single winner, meaning Zackey, with 208 wins at a strike rate of 18.09%, is six clear of Fourie, who is on 202 wins at 25.51%, while Gavin Lerena is seven behind Fourie on 195 (25.97%).
Van der Merwe is on 56 wins at 12.93%.
Domeyer is on 53 wins at 20.08%.
Snaith is on 135 wins at 14.85%, which is four wins behind Alan Greeff, although on stakes he is about R11.5 million ahead of second-placed Greeff.
Bass-Robinson is on 70 wins at 11.80%.
Today's Question
Which champion having his first season at Stud will be shuttled by Coolmore to Australia?
Picture: The picture is of the subject
FIELDS, Wednesday, 14 May
Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly
Today’s Question Answer
City of Troy to Shuttle to Coolmore Australia in 2025
City Of Troy has been standing in Ireland for €75,000, but will shuttle to Australia for the Southern Hemisphere season.
Epsom Derby (G1) winner City of Troy will be located at Jerrys Plains-based farm.
By Daniel Harrold/ANZ Bloodstock News March 26, 2025
Coolmore Australia has announced that 2024 Epsom Derby (G1) winner City of Troy will shuttle to their Jerrys Plains-based farm for the 2025 Southern Hemisphere breeding season, where he will stand for an opening fee of AU$49,500 (US$31,185).
The former Aidan O’Brien-trained 4-year-old will be available to breeders in the Southern Hemisphere off the back of the huge success of his American Triple Crown-winning sire Justify , who in four seasons shuttling (2019-21, 2023) to Australia has produced 83 winners from 129 starters, with eight of those at stakes level including quality juveniles Storm Boy and Learning To Fly.
Much like his father, City of Troy’s time on the racetrack was limited but explosive, with the impeccably bred colt going three starts unbeaten as a juvenile capped by success in the 2023 Dewhurst Stakes (G1).
After disappointing in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) on his first at 3, Kentucky-bred City of Troy bounced back to comfortably land the Epsom Derby, winning by 2 3/4 lengths. Two more group 1 wins followed in the Coral Eclipse (G1) and Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), while his final start saw him finish eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar in his first try on a dirt surface, with a slow start not helping his cause.
Despite having trained a record 10 Epsom Derby winners, including some of the greats such as Galileo, High Chaparral , Camelot , and Auguste Rodin , O’Brien rated City of Troy his best winner of the time-honored contest.
“I’d say no doubt, because he has the cruise, he has the balance, he quickens and he stays,” O’Brien said. “I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.”
Bred in Kentucky by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt and raced by Coolmore, City of Troy is a brother to the group 3-placed Bertinelli (who now races in Hong Kong under the name Unbelievable) and a half brother to group 3 scorer Military Style and the group 2-placed Absolute Ruler.
He is the fifth foal out of the Galileo mare Together Forever , winner of the 2014 Fillies Mile (G1) at Newmarket and a sister to 2018 Epsom Oaks (G1) heroine Forever Together .
“We’re so excited to stand City of Troy and offer him to Australasian breeders,” said Coolmore Australia’s sales and nominations manager Colm Santry.
“Aidan O’Brien always considered him to be one of the best horses he’s ever trained, while Ryan Moore also ranks him as the best he’s ridden. He was an incredibly classy horse with a high cruising speed, as we saw so impressively in his three runs at 2, which he won by an aggregate margin of more than 12 lengths.
“He’s by far the best son of Justify, with an impeccable Danehill-free pedigree that makes him suitable to all the dominant bloodlines in this part of the world.
“His unbelievable accomplishments on the track saw him become the only horse other than Frankel to receive the Cartier 2-year-old colt and Cartier Horse of the Year accolades in successive years.
“He’s out of a group 1-winning 2-year-old by Galileo, and, given how well shuttle stallions are performing in Australia at present, he’s a very exciting addition to our stallion ranks.”
Santry told ANZ Bloodstock News: “Shuttle stallions in recent years have enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance and we expect City of Troy to be extremely well received by Australian breeders.
“The likes of Too Darn Hot, Harry Angel, Justify, and Wootton Bassett have highlighted how important these sorts of stallions are.
“St Mark’s Basilica’s yearlings have also sold very well, so on the back of all that we’ve seen an incredible response from breeders we’ve canvassed about City of Troy.”
The cross of Galileo with Fastnet Rock mares is one well known to Australian breeders, bringing up top-level winners like Warm Heart (a daughter of three-time Australian group 1 winner Sea Siren) and Russian Emperor.
Justify’s record with Fastnet Rock mares is also eye-catching—responsible for, among others, group 2 winners Storm Boy and Learning To Fly—and Santry is confident City of Troy is a perfect fit to add to this impressive record.
“Physically he combines the best of all of the elements of his pedigree,” he told ANZ. “He has the power and strength of Justify, which allowed him to become champion 2-year-old, coupled with the quality and style of Galileo.
“If there was ever a horse tailor-made for Fastnet Rock mares, it’s City of Troy. The Galileo-Fastnet Rock cross is well known and the Justify-Fastnet Rock cross has also proved to be extremely effective, as highlighted by Storm Boy, Learning To Fly, Star of Justice, and Lilac, among others.
“City of Troy is a generational-type horse who racing fans will be talking about for decades to come. In what was only a very short racing career that spanned eight starts, he won four group 1s.
“This is a horse of very rare ability, with one of the best pedigrees in the world, and we feel like he’s perfectly suited to the Australian broodmare population.”
He added: “Coolmore and the Magnier family are committed to offering Australian breeders the best possible options internationally and this has been on show for the past ten years with great success.
“We feel like City of Troy is right up there with the best horses who have ever been shuttled to Coolmore Australia.”
