11 C
New York
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
pCloud Premium

Breeders’ Cup Classic: Sierra Leone wins to deny City of Troy glorious farewell


City of Troy was never in contention as Sierra Leone won the Breeders’ Cup Classic at the Del Mar track in California.

The Derby winner had been aimed at a glorious farewell in the prestigious US race which carries a purse of $7m (£5.4m), making it the richest horse race in North America.

But he struggled in his first race on dirt as Sierra Leone came from way back to clinch victory at the scenic coastal track in San Diego.

The early leaders set a quick pace and the 6-1 shot rallied past the 5-2 favourite Fierceness in the final stretch.

That gave French jockey Flavien Prat his sixth Breeders’ Cup win overall and trainer Chad Brown his 19th, while Japan’s Forever Young, which closed at 4-1, was third with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Newgate fourth.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, City of Troy ultimately finished eighth in his last race before a breeding career having claimed seven wins from nine races.

His Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “He was left at the start where he lost three lengths and we didn’t have him prepared to break quickly enough. We thought we had, but we hadn’t. He was making up ground at the end, but Ryan had no chance.

“He inspired us as a horse that could do well in the Classic. When you get back that far on a dirt surface, you can’t do anything about it.”

O’Brien is still seeking his first Classic win after 18 attempts with 15 different horses, with his closest effort coming 24 years ago when Giant’s Causeway was edged out by Tiznow.

“We’re learning all the time,” added O’Brien, 55. “Hopefully we’ll try harder next year.”

Sierra Leone had lost narrowly in his last four races including the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

“I’m so happy for the horse because he’s come up short a few times,” said trainer Chad Brown.

“He’s been so consistent and he’s such an honest horse, one of the best I’ve ever had.”



Source link

Odisha Expo
Odisha Expohttps://www.odishaexpo.com
Odisha Expo is one of the Largest News Aggregator of Odisha, Stay Updated about the latest news with Odisha Expo from around the world. Stay hooked for more updates.

Related Articles

Stay Connected

0FansLike
0FollowersFollow
0SubscribersSubscribe
Best Lifetime Deals on SaaSspot_img

Latest Articles

Newcastle United Eye Sensational Deal for 4-Time Champions League Winner

0
Newcastle United is looking forward to signing a centre-back in the January Transfer Window. Sergio Ramos is currently under the team's target, as...

Florida woman sentenced to 25 years for fatally shooting neighbor through door

0
A white Florida woman who fatally shot her Black neighbor through a locked door was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday for...

Tiger Woods to miss next month’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas

0
Tiger Woods says he is "disappointed" that he will miss next month's Hero World Challenge in Albany, the Bahamas.The 15-time major winner hosts...

San Jose State volleyball player at center of fight over trans athletes can compete...

0
A federal judge ruled Monday that a volleyball player for the San Jose State University women's team, who is at the center of...

Frank Lampard Leads the Race as Coventry City Face Managerial Reset

0
Frank Lampard and Steve Cooper in the race to become the manager of the Coventry City club, as the team eyes for a...