This year’s race received an early element of jeopardy when Voyage lost his jockey at the start but, riderless, he behaved impeccably. Behind a strong gallop set by his stablemate Euphoric, Moore was able to drop City Of Troy out almost last early on.
He had already begun to pick them off three or four rivals by the time they arrived at the foot of Tattenham Corner but, in the space of a furlong and a half, between three and a half furlongs and two pole, he glided past his remaining 11 rivals to hit the front.
From then on the only danger to emerge were the yellow silks of Ambiente Friendly. James Fanshawe’s colt briefly looked like he might reel him in but it was but a millisecond of hope. The winner looked like he was in a league of his own. Los Angeles, the winner’s stablemate, was three and a quarter lengths back in third with Deira Mile fourth.
John Magnier, the brains behind Coolmore, has made some great decisions over the years in terms of breeding, starting with Northern Dancer, going all in on Sadlers Wells and Galileo and now betting the farm on City Of Troy’s sire the US Triple Crown winner Justify, a dirt horse.
No doubt, he has made a few bad ones too but, perhaps, his best ever decision was to pluck O’Brien from a field full of jumps and take him to Ballydoyle in 1996.
“A lot of people have put in a lot of work,” said the modest trainer deflecting any praise. “So many are so close to this horse.
“We knew it went totally wrong for him in the Guineas. I made mistakes in training him, there were stones I didn’t look under. He was too fresh, not prepared and blew up. We knew he had the ability. We thought he was the best juvenile I had ever trained and there’s no doubt he’s the best Derby winner. He has balance, he quickens, he stays.
“Justifys are like Galileos with more class. They have the minds, the movement, they are quicker than Galileos which makes us tremendously excited.”
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