Tag Archive for: Betfred Derby

City Of Troy faring well after Derby heroics

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Impressive Derby winner City Of Troy has bounced out of his Epsom exploits in fine form.

Aidan O’Brien worked wonders with the Justify colt to get him back in the form he displayed last year, banishing memories of a lacklustre run in the 2000 Guineas.

Given his breeding it would be no huge surprise to see him run on dirt at some stage but as yet all options remain open, with City Of Troy an odds-on favourite for the Irish Derby.

“City Of Troy obviously flew over yesterday and got back last night at 10pm. He pulled out well this morning, went out, had a hand-walk and a pick of grass, had a roll and he seems in good spirits,” said O’Brien’s stable representative Chris Armstrong at Listowel.

“He will go back and do one steady canter tomorrow and by the end of the week we will gradually build him back up to full training. We’ll give him time to get over the race and the main thing is he has come through it well and is happy in himself.

“It was an unbelievable training performance from Aidan and it was a great ride from Ryan (Moore) and worked out nicely. It is exciting for the rest of the year, hopefully it is onwards and upwards and all his options are open.”



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O’Brien thrilled to see City Of Troy show his true colours

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Why was he ever doubted? In winning his record-extending 10th Derby, Aidan O’Brien once again showcased otherworldly talents as he brought City Of Troy back from the precipice to show just why he has always been seen as a superstar in waiting.

Having looked so imperious at two, last year’s champion juvenile had run such a lacklustre race in the 2000 Guineas, dashing all the dreams and talk of the Triple Crown.

It would have been some story, too, given his sire Justify won the American Triple Crown. But the fact O’Brien has now won the Derby with one of his sons and he is now a Coolmore stallion, could prove invaluable in the future.

O’Brien felt City Of Troy blew his Guineas chance immediately on coming out of the stalls, and for all his perfectionism, he was very hard on himself in the aftermath.

As ever, he was quick to deflect the post-Derby praise. But this was all about one man and his ability – just like 12 months ago with Auguste Rodin – to bring a colt back from a lamentable run at Newmarket to win the Derby.

“We felt we’d never had a horse like him last year, but I left him too fresh for the Guineas and he exploded out of the stalls which sent his heart rate through the roof,” explained O’Brien.

“That was the one stone we never looked under and we’d never had to look under it before, we never expected that to happen. Before he could get his breath back, he was out and gone.

“It took us two to three weeks to get him back to the stage where we could try the stalls again, and when we did we had the Fitbit on him and his heart rate was way above 240, so we knew what happened in Newmarket.

“We had to give him time and the last day he went back in the stalls he was as calm as anything, but because he didn’t officially play up in the stalls at Newmarket, he couldn’t get a ticket to go in late today, so he had to go in the middle, so we just had to hope he stayed relaxed and he did.”

One more object in his way was his draw in stall one, seen by many to be a huge disadvantage – and there was also a loose horse for Ryan Moore to contend with after Voyage parted company with Pat Dobbs coming out of the stalls.

“We decided with two strong stayers in the race and with where Ryan was drawn, we’d make it a real test and true run, as we wanted to find out if he’d stay and did he have the ability. Ryan was very patient on him and gave him a great ride,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan did say he was very green and that was the first time he’d been dropped in today, so I’m delighted.

“It’s very exciting for us to have Justify coming along and the Justifys with Galileo (dam’s sire) is even more class, as it showed today.

“Sporting life can take all turns, there’s only so much you can control. In sport, you can get forgotten very quick and everyone had opinions, which they are entitled to, some negative, some positive, but he had a lot to lose by running today.

“I’m so grateful to Ryan for the ride he gave him and there’s so many people to thank.

“I left him too fresh before the Guineas and treated him with too much respect in the winter, I wasn’t hard enough on him. We hadn’t put him in the stalls, as we didn’t think it would happen, it wasn’t on our list, but going forwards it will be – you’re learning every year.

“The problem is with a horse like that, it can cost so much, but in life if you don’t make mistakes, you don’t go forward. We’re sure that was the reason anyway and now it’s very exciting going forward.”

O’Brien had been effusive in his praise of the horse in the lead-up to the race and many could not see where the confidence came from, but he makes no apology for that.

“Before the race, I was only saying what I thought, maybe I shouldn’t do it, but today we might not get to tomorrow,” he said.

“There’s no point me thinking it today and keeping it to myself, we always speak what we really believe, but that means there’s a stick to beat you with, but listen, life is too short to worry about that.

“We make a plan, we don’t look beyond tomorrow and the rest is history, that’s just the way it is really.”

Moore himself is a man of few words. But he knew where the praise should be placed.

“It’s Aidan’s 10th Derby and he’s been breaking records for so long now it’s incredible,” said the jockey, who was winning his fourth Derby.

“There is no one like him and it is more than just being a genius and having attention to detail and dedication – there is a lot more than that.

“Everyone works hard in this game, but I don’t know anyone who works as hard as him, it’s not just his brilliance.”

The rider also stressed the importance of the win, with stud potential on the line.

He said: “We kind of believed at the end of last year we had a serious horse and to come back and win a Derby after winning a Dewhurst, not many can do it and they are few and far between.

“He’s a very special horse and a very important horse.”



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Bookmakers ‘left counting the cost’ of more Derby magic from O’Brien

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Bookmakers were left licking their wounds after punters kept the faith with brilliant Betfred Derby winner City Of Troy.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge had been an uneasy favourite during the week, as he looked to bounce back from a disappointing display in the 2000 Guineas.

But there was renewed support for the Justify colt on Derby day and he replicated stablemate Auguste Rodin’s comeback success last season by blitzing his blue riband rivals at Epsom.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “That was a very bad result for the layers, as City Of Troy was the worst result in our book and it was particularly bad in the betting shops, so those customers are in absolute clover.

“That’s the second year running Aidan has conjured a Lazarus-style comeback in the biggest betting Flat race of the year and we’re highly likely to ignore any poor performance from a well-fancied Ballydoyle horse in next year’s 2000 Guineas.”

Coral’s David Stevens added: “City Of Troy was not only backed into as short as 7-4 ante-post at one stage for the Derby, but he was a popular selection on the day of the big race, with plenty of punters willing to forgive him his Guineas flop.

“Sent off the 3-1 favourite for the biggest betting race of the Flat season, his many backers never really had too many worries, with Ryan Moore able to steer a clear passage to victory from the supposedly difficult number one stall, a victory that has left us counting the cost of yet more Aidan O’Brien magic.”

City Of Troy is 6-1 (from 16-1) with the sponsors for next month’s Coral-Eclipse and just 3-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Lee Phelps of William Hill said: “Ahead of the Derby, we weren’t sure which City Of Troy we’d see today, but we were treated to a sensational Epsom performance, one which punters will be fondly remembering for a long time to come.

“He’s our worst result in the Derby for 10 years and is almost certainly one of our heaviest losses in 2024 so far.

“Looking forward, we’re extremely excited about what the rest of his season holds.”



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Havlin: It nearly worked like clockwork… then I saw my worst nightmare coming

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Robert Havlin had pictured the image in his head and was indeed having the dream Betfred Derby spin aboard Ambiente Friendly – before his “worst nightmare” loomed up on his inside and crushed his Epsom dreams.

James Fanshawe’s colt had entered the Derby reckoning with a bloodless victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial only a few weeks ago.

However, that is only where the story begins as the Gredley family opted to replace Callum Shepherd with one of the elder statesman of the weighing room and a rider fresh off the back of just his second Group One triumph in the Lockinge.

Having attracted plenty of market support as the 9-2 second-favourite, the son of Gleneagles handled every undulation of the Surrey Downs, but just as Havlin began to believe his dreams were turning into reality, Aidan O’Brien’s 3-1 market leader City Of Troy completed his redemption act to leave Ambiente Friendly and his jockey a brave, but vanquished runner-up.

Havlin said: “I saw my worst nightmare coming up my left!”

“I’ve ridden the race many times in my head the last week and it nearly worked like clockwork.

“I thought I would still be travelling at the two (furlong) pole and he was travelling good. He found plenty, but the winner found that bit extra.

“I knew he was there and I could see City Of Troy coming out the corner of my eye. But I was trying to keep an eye on the loose horse as well.

“I had a decision to make and do I go round the loose horse. I thought my only chance of beating Ryan (Moore) was to go round the loose horse – he could have taken the two of us out if I went on his inside.

“He’s been beaten by a better horse on the day and his best days are yet to come. He’s still got some growing up to do mentally.”

Ambiente Friendly’s trainer agreed that there is a big future ahead for the high-class silver medallist.

Fanshawe – having just his second Derby runner – said: “I’m really thrilled with his run, I thought coming to the two pole we had a real chance, but City Of Troy came back to his best.

City Of Troy proved too good for Ambiente Friendly
City Of Troy proved too good for Ambiente Friendly (Adam Davy/PA)

“I still hope there’s more to come from Ambiente Friendly because he’s not yet the complete article.

“His racing is going so much better and he stayed the trip so well. We had a lovely run round, Rab had him in a good position, he travelled and as an immature horse he will hopefully keep on improving.

“We have no excuses and he had a lovely run round. He travelled really well and has just been beaten by a horse back to his best. He ran very well.”

With winning trainer O’Brien taking third with Los Angeles, it was left to owner Ahmad Al Shaikh’s Green Team Racing’s pair Deira Mile and Sayedaty Sadaty to claim minor honours in fourth and fifth.

Owen Burrows trained fourth placed Deira Mile
Owen Burrows trained fourth placed Deira Mile (Mike Egerton/PA)

Deira Mile’s trainer Owen Burrows was thrilled with his charge’s run in fourth and is now targeting further Classic action in the St Leger later in the season.

He said: “We felt he acted well round here unfortunately he was a step slower out of the gates and we were a bit further back than planned, but he made up a heck of a lot of ground.

“The standout horses have finished one-two-three. Jim (Crowley) said his last furlong was his best so the Leger would be the plan, it’s been in my mind all along.”



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City Of Troy shows all his class to roar back for Derby glory

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City Of Troy was back to his brilliant best as he ran out a convincing victor in the Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge had been a superstar juvenile but fluffed his lines when well beaten in the 2000 Guineas.

However, just like stablemate Auguste Rodin did 12 months ago, the Justify colt, who was sent on his way as the 3-1 favourite, silenced any doubters with a dazzling display in the blue riband event.

Ryan Moore had to pick a route through after being caught inside in mid-division turning for home, but fortune favoured the brave as he powered home to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Ambiente Friendly, who travelled smoothly throughout but could not match the winner’s turn of foot.

It was a record-extending 10th Derby triumph for Ballydoyle maestro O’Brien, and a fourth win in the race for Moore. O’Brien also saddled the third home in the shape of Los Angeles.

O’Brien said: “The exciting thing for us is Justify (his sire); he has looked very special all the way and the class that they have, speed as well as stamina, is amazing.

“Ryan gave him an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone for the work they have done.

“We knew the Guineas was totally wrong and I made mistakes training him, that’s the bottom line. There were stones I didn’t look under, he was too fresh, he was unprepared, he blew up, that’s the reality.

“But we learned from it and knew the ability he had – and since then everything has been beautiful.”

Coolmore partner Michael Tabor is one of those who never lost faith in City Of Troy.

He said: “It means everything, going forward with all the options we have with this horse, it’s just something to enjoy, that’s the main thing. Aidan said this is the best we’ve ever had and everything has come true.”

Asked if City Of Troy is the best Derby winner he has trained, O’Brien declared: “I’d say no doubt!

“Because he has the cruise, he has the balance, he quickens and he stays. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.”

Moore said: “I had a nice position, but then the horses in front of me weren’t the right ones to take me as far as I wanted to go so I had to find a little bit of room.

Ryan Moore with City Of Troy
Ryan Moore with City Of Troy (Adam Davy/PA)

“The race opened up with the loose horse (Voyage unseated Pat Dobbs soon after the stalls opened) and I travelled well into the straight. He picked up and went to the front very easy and I felt he was still a little bit of inexperienced.

“With the loose horse in front of him I felt he didn’t know what to do, but he changed his leads near the line and went on again.”

He went on: “I’m just delighted as he showed so much as a two-year-old, but we got a few things wrong on the day in the Guineas. Aidan’s got him back, we didn’t loose faith in the horse and stuck to the plan and it’s paid off.

“We believed if he turned up like we thought he would he’d be too good for them and he was.

“I was always happy where I was, it’s never always going to be smooth with a field that size, but he took me there easily. He was in control a fair way out.”

The Betfred Derby Festival – Derby Day – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Connections celebrate City Of Troy’s victory (Adam Davy/PA).

As for future plans, O’Brien – who first won the Derby with Galileo in 2001 – reported that all options will be considered before mapping out the next stage of the horse’s development.

He added: “We had a plan, his first three races were the Guineas, the Derby and then Saratoga on dirt over 10 furlongs (for the Travers Stakes).

“The lads will talk about that and talk to Ryan and decide what they want to do. The only thing I’m not sure about is Ryan said he was very babyish today and whether he would be able to deal with a race like that straight away I’m not sure, but the lads will all talk and make that decision.

“Looking at him today, there doesn’t seem to be any end to his stamina and that’s a trait in all the Justifys, they just keep going.

“It will be a hard decision for the lads. If he doesn’t go (to America), there are races like the Eclipse and the King George to think of and later on the Arc, as we know he stays very well.”



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Ylang Ylang eclipse leaves bookmakers smiling on Oaks day

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Bookmakers came out on top after round one of their Epsom battle with Aidan O’Brien’s army of fans, as heavily-backed Betfred Oaks favourite Ylang Ylang was beaten into sixth place behind Ezeliya.

Ryan Moore’s mount was sent off at just 11-8 following strong support, but could never land a blow on the 13-2 winner.

Moore had earlier been at his brilliant best on Coronation Cup hero Luxembourg, who was backed in from 11-4 to 9-4 on course, but those losses were offset by defeat for popular 7-4 favourite Emily Upjohn.

Attention will now turn to the Derby, with O’Brien’s City Of Troy having been the long-time ante-post market leader on the back of his sensational juvenile form, but now needing to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the 2000 Guineas.

Los Angeles is another leading contender for the Ballydoyle camp, with O’Brien seeking a 10th blue riband triumph. But it is still his stablemate that the layers fear most.

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “The amount of money that came for some of today’s favourites, particularly Ylang Ylang in the Oaks, had us worried that we’d have a terrible Ladies Day.

“However, with the Ballydoyle filly beaten, as well as Emily Upjohn in the Coronation Cup, it’s been a strong day for us bookies.

“There’s a long way to go yet, though, and the whole weekend will hinge on City Of Troy.

“He’s still our worst loser in the Derby and if we’re able to get him beat, it will almost certainly have been a couple of days on the Downs to remember for the bookies.”

Sam Behar of BetMGM added: “We were certainly happy to see Ezeliya win the Oaks, as she wasn’t particularly popular in either the ante-post betting or post declarations.

“All the money was for Ylang Ylang, and had she emerged victorious we would have been facing a significant pay-out, so we were really grateful to see the hot favourite turned over at Epsom.”

Coral reacted to Ezeliya’s impressive victory by promoting her to second-favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind Dante winner Economics.

“Ezeliya was a very impressive winner of the Oaks there and she could be a big player in the Arc should the Dermot Weld team decide to go there,” commented spokesperson Lewis Knowles.

“Fillies have an excellent recent record in the race and we now make her 14-1 to add her name to that illustrious roll of honour.”



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Fanshawe confident Ambiente Friendly can keep his Derby cool

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James Fanshawe is confident Ambiente Friendly now has the maturity to shine on the biggest stage in the Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Having proved a cut above his rivals in a Leicester maiden last September, a step up in class for the following month’s Autumn Stakes at Newmarket appeared to come too soon for the Gleneagles colt, who was soundly beaten by Ancient Wisdom when finishing third.

He again raced freely early on when fourth in the Feilden Stakes on his three-year-old debut and pulled hard in the opening exchanges of the Lingfield Derby Trial.

However, Ambiente Friendly highlighted his huge potential by ultimately powering home to prevail by four and a half lengths ahead of a decent yardstick in Illinois, and Fanshawe naturally feels there is even more to come as his charge strengthens mentally and physically.

Epsom on Derby day is no place for the faint-hearted, with lots of hustle and bustle and a tricky pre-race parade to negotiate, but Fanshawe said: “Hopefully that won’t be too much of a problem.

“It’s the same for everyone and we’ll do everything we can to keep things nice and calm before the race, but he’s not a jig-joggy, hyper-horse.

“Freddy Tylicki picked him out. Bill (Gredley, owner) was picking nine horses for his 90th birthday at the Craven breeze-ups, he saw Freddy looking around and said to Freddy ‘go and find me a horse’.

“Freddy put this Gleneagles colt up to him and Bill bought him for 80,000 guineas. If he was going to be a Derby contender, he should have made a lot more than that, but he was an immature horse – he wasn’t a strong, two-year-old type, he was sort of an elegant, later-maturing type.”

Connections caused a bit of a stir when opting to bring in experienced jockey Robert Havlin to replace Callum Shepherd after that visually-impressive Lingfield strike, but everything else has gone smoothly so far.

“All I can say is Ambiente Friendly has done it and won his trial in a good time and seems to have come out of the race in good shape,” added Fanshawe.

Lingfield Park Races – Saturday 11th May
Ambiente Friendly finishes well clear at Lingfield (Steve Patson/PA).

“Over the winter and even since the Feilden Stakes, he has grown up a lot. He was a little bit fresh at Newmarket, but at Lingfield he went round a bend as good as any horse went round there.

“Of course there is a real buzz in the yard about having a Derby contender. There seems to be a real interest in Ambiente Friendly and that’s great.

“We’ve had plenty of Group One successes, but we haven’t had too many runners in the Classics. We’ve had a second in the 1000 Guineas with Spacious and Soviet Song wasn’t quite right when she was fourth, but the Derby is the Derby and a lot of things are judged on the result of it.”

Aidan O’Brien goes in search of a record-extending 10th Derby triumph and Ryan Moore joins the Ballydoyle maestro in keeping faith with City Of Troy ahead of fellow leading contender Los Angeles and stable outsider Euphoric.

Los Angeles landed the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile and made it three wins from three starts when wearing down Euphoric at Leopardstown on his seasonal reappearance under Wayne Lordan, who keeps the ride.

Meanwhile, City Of Troy heads to Epsom with plenty to prove after being an odds-on disappointment in the 2000 Guineas, but O’Brien has blamed himself for that and both he and Moore will be hoping the much-vaunted son of Justify can recapture his sensational two-year-old sparkle.

Dubai Future Champions Festival 2023 – Newmarket Racecourse – Day Two
City Of Troy and Ryan Moore coming home to win the Dewhurst Stakes (Nigel French/PA).

Moore told Betfair: “Now, this is an open Derby, everyone can see that, though undoubtedly most of the focus will be on my horse. Perhaps understandably so, given how good he was last year and how he ran in the Guineas.

“We were clearly all a touch bemused by that performance at the time but hopefully Aidan has got him back to somewhere near his brilliant two-year-old best at home, and if he has then he will take all the beating.

“We always thought this trip would suit him at three but he has to go out and prove it now, and even more so after Newmarket. But there is only one place to find out, and we are here.”

Ancient Wisdom will bid to give Charlie Appleby and Godolphin a third blue riband success in seven years after backing up last season’s Futurity win at Doncaster with second place in the Dante at York behind Economics.

Appleby told the Godolphin website: “Ancient Wisdom has definitely come forward since the Dante and we know that stepping up to a mile and a half is going to suit, while we are hoping that ground conditions will be on our side as well. I feel we have the right horse to be competitive on the day.”

Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini was fifth behind Ancient Wisdom on Town Moor in late October and earned his place in this line-up when a staying-on runner up to Metropolitan in the French 2,000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp.

The Ralph Beckett-trained Macduff made a respectable return to action when second in the Sandown Classic Trial to Arabian Crown, who misses out through injury, while Andrew Balding’s Bellum Justum proved he can handle this track via April’s Blue Riband Trial triumph.

Voyage was 28-1 when making a successful racecourse debut for Richard Hannon at Newbury in mid-April but has been well backed to emulate his sire Golden Horn by claiming Derby glory.

Owner Ahmad Al Shaikh has never been afraid to roll the dice with an outsider and was second with 50-1 chance Khalifa Sat in 2020 and 150-1 shot Hoo Ya Mal in 2022, so it would be no surprise to see his pair Deira Mile and Sayedaty Sadaty outrun their odds this term.

Al Shaikh said: “It’s the dream of any owner to have a runner in the Derby and I have two good ones.

Betfred Derby Festival Gallops Morning – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Jim Crowley aboard Deira Mile on the Derby gallops morning at Epsom (John Walton/PA).

“The dream for me started in 2006 because I work for the Maktoum family and I was always hearing about the Derby and their excitement about it. I don’t like short-distance horses, but I know how to choose horses for this kind of race.

“I was at Epsom when Deira Mile galloped and I was very happy with him. Jim (Crowley) was particularly pleased and everyone has been very happy with him since.

“Sayedaty Sadaty was second at Newmarket in the same Listed race as Hoo Ya Mal was second in. We’ve been planning for the Derby for both of these horses since last June, and we’ve planned the Hoo Ya Mal route for Sayedaty Sadaty since March.”

Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing silks were carried to second place by outsiders Mojo Star and King Of Steel in two of the last three renewals and he has Ballysax Stakes winner Dallas Star involved this time, alongside Mr Hampstead.

Abdulla Al Mansoori is another owner doubly represented after supplementing Tabletalk to join Kamboo, with John and Thady Gosden’s God’s Window completing the field.



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Twelve months on from weaving his Derby magic, can Aidan O’Brien do it again?

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We have been here before. A regally-bred two-year-old who carried all before him as a juvenile, only to run poorly in the 2000 Guineas and then bounce back to win a Classic on their next start.

And that is exactly what Aidan O’Brien will be hoping happens with City Of Troy in the Betfred Derby.

Even if, as he insists, O’Brien does not dwell on the past, the memories of Auguste Rodin must still be fresh in his mind from 12 months ago.

He was a different type of two-year-old with a very different pedigree. More stoutly bred, being by the Japanese star Deep Impact, and not as precocious, winning the Futurity Trophy over a mile in heavy ground in the October of his first season.

Nevertheless he went off the favourite for the 2000 Guineas but never recovered from being short of room coming out of the stalls, finishing 12th of 14.

O’Brien’s faith in his colt never wavered and we all know what happened next. He turned up at Epsom and provided O’Brien with a ninth win in the blue riband, although it should not have been a real surprise given the general consensus was the Derby trip was always going to be the making of him.

That is perhaps the biggest difference between the two stablemates, as City Of Troy looked sure to be better suited by eight furlongs on the Rowley Mile than 12 furlongs around Epsom.

That the son of American Triple Crown winner Justify ran such a lacklustre race at Newmarket was a real headscratcher. But, just like last year, the confidence emanating from Ballydoyle has been hard to ignore and he must surely rate a different proposition on Saturday.

Auguste Rodin showed his true colours at Epsom
Auguste Rodin showed his true colours at Epsom (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“We just accepted that all these things just happened and went wrong on the day and we’ve decided to stay with the plan,” said O’Brien.

“He’s done nothing since to make us change the plan. The plan was always to start with the Guineas and go on to the Derby and then go wherever after that and that’s where we still are.

“I would always say if something doesn’t work I might not have done my homework right. Obviously when he goes down to the start he should be relaxed but he wasn’t, he was flustered and his mind just wasn’t in the right place.

“It will make it very interesting the next day. For us, I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as this. If we can get him to come out of those gates and everything to work properly for him, then we can have him in the right place.”

Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle with City Of Troy
Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle with City Of Troy (John Hoy/The Jockey Club)

Described as “our Frankel” after winning the Dewhurst last year, even Triple Crown dreams looked realistic. That those hopes have been crushed before stamina even came into the equation must hit hard.

Nevertheless, O’Brien has never had any doubts about him staying the Derby trip.

“I don’t think the trip will be a problem, no. I don’t think I ever did. I never thought any trip was a problem for him. You’re never sure until you do it, he has a big, long stride and he’s usually very chilled and relaxed but it will be a very interesting race now,” said O’Brien.

“I suppose what he did last year – everything he was doing last year the statistics were adding up. His times, everything. He never disappointed us in any way.

“But we all know horse racing and we all know life – no one knows what’s going to happen in the next half hour. Listen, the Guineas just wasn’t meant to be. I feel like, myself, I hadn’t got him prepared properly, so what we would have learned in the Guineas will hopefully help us to prepare him properly for the Derby.

“He’s obviously by Justify, who won a Belmont and all the other races… one thing you cannot stop coming out in anything is pedigree, so hopefully if he’s well we can have him in the right place.”

One thing O’Brien very rarely worries about is if his horses will act around the twists and turns of Epsom and that is because Ballydoyle is equipped with a copycat gallop of Tattenham Corner, installed by his legendary predecessor, Vincent O’Brien.

“It’s vital. Obviously with Dr O’Brien everything was about the Derby and everything is really. Everyone can say whatever they want, but the whole thoroughbred generation every year is measured in the Derby and that’s just the harsh reality of it,” he said.

“What we have seen over the years is if a horse is not going to handle it today, very rarely will they handle it tomorrow. You’ll see very quickly the ones that have the ability and the balance to handle it.

Auguste Rodin was a ninth Derby winner for Aidan O'Brien
Auguste Rodin was a ninth Derby winner for Aidan O’Brien (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

“I think the Derby is the race that I and everybody most looks forward to. The build up and on the day, everyone is just so fascinated about what is going to happen. There are contenders arriving from everywhere and it is everybody’s dream, whether a horse cost £2million or £20,000.

“The Guineas was a let-down because we were all expecting. It just went against us and we have to accept that, move on and try to get back where we hoped we would be.

“If you are not open and honest, you can’t progress. If you don’t say what you feel, you can’t tweak things to make it better.

“Everyone knows we do our best every day. If anyone has better ideas, they are welcome to come here and join us!”



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Fallon says early position will be crucial for Moore and City Of Troy

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Kieren Fallon believes drawing stall one may not be an inconvenience for leading Betfred Derby contender City Of Troy, as long as Ryan Moore can take up a handy position.

Fallon was a master of Epsom’s mile-and-a-half circuit, winning the Derby three times and claiming four Classic triumphs in the Oaks.

One of his victories in the blue riband came on board Oath from the inside berth in 1999 – with Adayar the only subsequent scorer from stall one three years ago.

Fallon told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast that City Of Troy’s slot can be overcome, stating: “As long as they travel, and Oath travelled.

Racing/Oath heads for the post
Oath (right) with Kieren Fallon up goes for Derby glory in 1999 (PA).

“Actually, I was lucky enough that all mine travelled, except maybe Kris Kin, who was lazy and workmanlike.

“But the most important thing is the first half-mile of the race, not the second half. Because you’re going up a steep hill and you don’t want to use your gas on the way up.

“And then you’ve got that chicane, the first corner. What you have to be careful of is when the horses are coming back from the far side.

“When the high numbers start coming across, it is how to judge it, it’s all about the pace, and judging how quick (to go) is very hard, as you are travelling up a hill.

“There’s not many tracks where you can pace yourself going up a hill and that’s the most important thing – getting yourself at the right pace for the first half-mile. Then you can relax into it and then take it from there.

“It’s simple after that. You have to save ground, you can’t come around the field. I always call it the Lester Piggott route – box seat, in third, fourth or fifth.

Oath wins Derby
Kieren Fallon on Oath after winning the Derby at Epsom (PA).

“You can’t be too far back, either. Greville Starkey got slated for Dancing Brave and from riding the race, you know what happened to him.

“He was riding to get the trip and then he obviously got shuffled back and there’s nothing you can do then. You can’t make a move, because if you do, you’re not going to finish anywhere.

“You’ve got to find your slot, so you don’t get shuffled back, and you don’t end up in front either. There’s not many front-runners win the Derby.

“On North Light, I was very prominent, but he was a known galloper, so I could be there and then ride a pace to suit myself, because there were no pacemakers in that race.

“But it’s all about the first half-mile, where you can win or lose your race.”

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, last year’s champion juvenile City Of Troy is on a recovery mission following his 2000 Guineas disappointment, but big-race jockey Ryan Moore remained calm after hearing of his position.

Derby Festival 2023 – Derby Day – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore won last year’s Betfred Derby (David Davies for the Jockey Club).

Moore told Betfair: “Let’s just hope my horse can show his true worth. He is drawn one, but there is no point dwelling on that.”

Stablemate Los Angeles (stall four) boasts a perfect record of three wins in as many starts, most recently taking the Leopardstown Derby Trial from the reopposing Euphoric (also O’Brien) on his seasonal bow, and he is in four. Wayne Lordan rides Los Angeles – who was again threatening City Of Troy for favouritism following the draw – with Euphoric to be partnered by Declan McDonogh.

The challenge to the Ballydoyle team is spearheaded by the Charlie Appleby-trained Ancient Wisdom, a Group One-winning juvenile who had to settle for second in the Dante at York on his return to action.

Ancient Wisdom has to overcome a wider draw in 11 – a stall which has yet to produce a Derby winner, although Appleby is unconcerned by that statistic.

He told the Godolphin website: “There hasn’t been a Derby winner from stall 11, but there has been a few from either side, so I think we are in the right area.”

Doncaster Races – Saturday October 28th
Ancient Wisdom ridden by jockey William Buick winning at Doncaster (Richard Sellers/PA).

Lingfield Derby Trial winner Ambiente Friendly is another leading home-trained hope for James Fanshawe and he has drawn six.

Voyage will be widest of all in stall 16 – another berth that has never housed the winner – with Dancing Gemini next door in 15.

Sandown Classic Trial second Macduff and Blue Riband Trial winner Bellum Justum are in eight and 12 respectively.

The Adrian Murray-trained Dallas Star, shock winner of the Ballysax Stakes, is in seven.

Deira Mile, God’s Window, Kamboo, Sayedaty Sadaty, the supplemented Tabletalk and Mr Hampstead complete the line-up.



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Appleby: Ancient Wisdom showing all the right signs

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Charlie Appleby believes softer ground in the Betfred Derby will play into the hands of his runner Ancient Wisdom.

Ancient Wisdom was beaten six lengths by Economics in the Dante at York on good ground that was not in the favour of the Dubawi colt.

The Godolphin-owned three-year-old has shown a liking for cut in the ground when winning the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket before stepping up in class to win the Group One Futurity Trophy just two weeks later on heavy ground at Doncaster.

Appleby, who saddled Derby winners with Masar in 2018 and Adayar in 2021, likes what he has seen coming out of that race on the Knavesmire and feels he has a real chance with the weather in his favour on the Surrey Downs.

The in-form Appleby has already enjoyed Classic glory this season after Notable Speech landed the 2000 Guineas – and celebrated more Group One success over the weekend with Rebel’s Romance impressing in the Champions and Chater Cup in Hong Kong over the weekend.

“He’s a past Group One winner in the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster in very soft conditions we know there were that day,” Appleby said in a video update posted on Godolphin’s X page.

“I was happy with his reappearance in the Dante. There was a very good winner (Economics), but I felt this horse was going to show plenty of improvement there with all the right signs since.

“He relishes the slower ground and the forecast being potentially the way it is he will hopefully encounter that on Saturday. Therefore it will enhance his chances.

“William (Buick) sat on him this morning and the whole team are delighted with the way the horse has progressed from his first start as a three-year-old there in the Dante to where we are today.

“We’ve got a horse there who is going to be a live contender.”



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Tylicki has every faith in Ambiente Friendly running a big race

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Freddy Tylicki is hopeful Ambiente Friendly can give a strong account of himself and justify his faith in the Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Now a bloodstock agent, Tylicki, who is also a familiar face in his role as a television pundit, was impressed by the colt after a number of viewings and urged the Gredley family to buy him at last year’s Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale for 80,000 guineas.

Ambiente Friendly is a 6-1 chance with the sponsors for the premier Classic after bolting up by four and a half lengths in the Lingfield Derby Trial and was also placed behind Ancient Wisdom, who he will reoppose on Saturday, in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

Freddy Tylicki was impressed with the colt at the breeze-up sales
Freddy Tylicki was impressed with the colt at the breeze-up sales (Mike Egerton/PA)

Tylicki was stable jockey for trainer James Fanshawe before the career-ending fall at Kempton in 2016 that left him partially paralysed. The pair enjoyed several top-class winners together, highlighted by dual Group One victor Speedy Boarding.

The step up in trip this season has seen the son of Gleneagles find another gear and it would be a poignant success for Tylicki should Ambiente Friendly run a big race on the Surrey Downs.

Tylicki told Tattersalls: “The day before the breeze up I met Mr (Bill) Gredley and he said to me ‘try and find me a nice stayer’, he didn’t want a speedy type. So off I went and did my homework and came across this fella.

“I watched him pre-breeze and he got a tick off me on the page. Then I watched him in the breeze, and he was straight as a gun barrel.

“When I went to see him afterwards, there was just something about him. His whole physique, presence, his honesty in his eyes, just everything clicked for me, and I actually went to see him four times altogether.

“To cut a long story short, he was the one I really wanted so I said to Mr Gredley ‘try and buy this fella’, and luckily he did.

“I wouldn’t swap him for anything. If I could ride him, I would love to swing my leg around him. I think he’ll go around Tattenham Corner like an absolute superstar.

Ambiente Friendly streaks clear to win the Lingfield Derby Trial
Ambiente Friendly streaks clear to win the Lingfield Derby Trial (Steve Paston/PA)

“The way he travelled at Lingfield around that bend, nine out of 10 times when they handle that bend, they’ll handle Epsom. If he switches off in the early stages – which I think he will because he has grown up so much and improving so much – I think he’ll have a great chance!”

Racing as well as showjumping has been an integral part of the lives of the Gredley family and Tim Gredley, who is hoping to make the British showjumping team for the Paris Olympics, added:  “We would genuinely be delighted if he finished in the first three or four.

“There’s a couple of horses there that are superstars but underperformed. Ours could also improve a lot from the last run.

“I think the Fanshawes did a fantastic job in getting him to the first race at Newmarket (on seasonal debut) not fully wound up and at Lingfield he looked very good so there could be some improvement yet.”

He added: “It’s the Derby, whatever anyone says, as an Englishman winning the Epsom Derby is the biggest thing you can do. I love the history; I love all the tradition of the race so to be able to say you’ve won that one is definitely a bit more special.”



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Weaver recalls when Derby trip took its toll on Mister Baileys

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It is 30 years since Jason Weaver rounded Tattenham Corner on the Guineas winner Mister Baileys in the Derby and kicked for home – forging six lengths clear.

For a moment, it looked as if he had slipped the field on the Mark Johnston-trained colt but with a furlong to run, King’s Theatre and Colonel Collins joined him and his stride began to rapidly shorten.

There was still to be a twist in the 1994 renewal, though, as Willie Carson conjured up a brilliant finish on the favourite Erhaab, who followed up his win in the Dante, in which Mister Baileys also ran.

For Weaver, now a respected TV pundit, there is no real sense of what might been, however.

“Obviously, winning the Guineas was great but I didn’t feel any pressure because he wasn’t my ride. He was Frankie’s ride but he overlooked him for Grand Lodge and he was also a big price (16-1). It wasn’t until his gallop at Ripon we thought he had a chance,” said Weaver.

“When we went to the Dante, I loomed up on the outside going well but it was probably a bit of inexperience on my part and he saw too much daylight.

“It’s not the done thing these days, winning the Guineas and going to the Dante – and of course we were disappointed he didn’t win. I think it was probably a fact-finding mission.

“We ended up making the running in the Derby and I still thought we were going to win turning for home, but he got to the two pole and emptied out.

“Philip Robinson ended up taking me on early on a horse of Mark Tompkins’ (The Flying Phantom) and we were skipping along and I was thinking we were going a bit quick, and we paid the price.

“Who knows, in another year we could have got away with it, as the front three were all very good horses, but I remember when he pulled up, he barely had the energy to canter back, he put everything into that and quite clearly it left its mark.”

Nowadays, Weaver is in the perfect position to offer his views on the current Classic crop, seeing them at close hand in the paddock, and he believes this year’s Betfred Derby is a fascinating edition.

Jason Weaver is now a respected TV pundit
Jason Weaver is now a respected TV pundit (Mike Egerton/PA)

With last year’s star juvenile City Of Troy needing to bounce back from a lacklustre run in the Guineas, Weaver is astonished he is still favourite and believes the fact he is boils down to one reason only; his trainer Aidan O’Brien.

“Aidan has brought horses back before but Auguste Rodin had excuses in the Guineas and was bred for the Derby,” said Weaver.

“He has pulled so many rabbits out of the hat but if ever there was a peak training performance from somebody, surely this will top the lot. It will be the greatest Houdini training act, it’s got to be.

“I keep looking back for a reason he ran like he did in the Guineas – the ground, the way the race was run – but I just can’t find one.

“Ryan (Moore) normally goes through the gears smoothly but from three out you could see him moving his hands, so he didn’t even go five furlongs of the mile and now he’s going a mile and a half. There’s so much confidence behind him though!

City Of Troy (left, dark blue) was left toiling by Notable Speech in the Guineas
City Of Troy (left, dark blue) was left toiling by Notable Speech in the Guineas (David Davies/PA)

“Think of all the superstars he has trained, and Aidan doesn’t miss a day, he flies everywhere so that he is always at home religiously – and to keep that level of discipline for the amount of time that he has makes him an extraordinary human being.

“That is the only reason that he sits at the top of the market, because of his trainer. Because of all we know about Aidan as a human, as a character, his discipline and repetition, that is the only reason he’s favourite.

“I just thought there was something different in the horse’s make-up last year (Auguste Rodin) compared to this lad.”

One thing the uncertainty around the favourite has led to is a potentially big field.

“Because of all the question marks, it’s why quite a few who might not be running are taking their chance, like Dancing Gemini and Tabletalk,” added Weaver.

“The Lingfield winner (Ambiente Friendly) probably has the strongest claim and he’s obviously been in the news because of the jockey. I spoke to Willie Ryan, who was second jockey to Sir Henry Cecil for 20 years, and he just said it has happened so many times you just have to get on with it.

“The one thing you can say about this year’s race is it is intriguing. Yes, it would have been great if the favourite had won the Guineas and we were all talking about a wonder horse, but the fact he hasn’t has opened it right up and made it an open race.”



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Murphy backs Satire’s class but admits stamina question

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Oisin Murphy believes Secret Satire has enough quality to get involved at the finish of Friday’s Betfred Oaks, if her stamina lasts out at Epsom.

The Andrew Balding-trained filly was a surprise winner of the Musidora Stakes at York, often a key trial for the Oaks.

While she is by the sprinter Advertise, she does have siblings who have stayed further than the Oaks distance of a mile and a half and Murphy is of the opinion she is worthy of her place in the field.

“In the Oaks I ride Secret Satire, who deserves her place after she won a trial, the Musidora at York,” he said.

“Her stamina is going to be exposed on the day – if she can stay a mile and a half, which she gives herself every chance of getting as she is easy to ride, she has a lot of quality as well.

“I think the way she finished at York, she has a chance of staying and that’s all you can ask for – often when you are sure they are going to stay, they probably lack the gears for a race like this.”

Bellum Justum and Oisin Murphy
Bellum Justum and Oisin Murphy (John Walton/PA)

Murphy also teams up with Balding 24 hours later with Bellum Justum in the Betfred Derby.

He was a trial winner over the Derby course and the form received a huge boost at the weekend when Aidan O’Brien’s Chief Little Rock, third at Epsom, bolted up in the Gallinule Stakes.

“Bellum Justum won the trial at Epsom over a mile and a quarter. He’s a beautiful horse with a lot of quality,” said Murphy.

“We don’t know how good he is, but we’ll find out on Derby day. Andrew has had horses placed in the Derby and won an Oaks with Casual Look, so it would be a dream if we can take gold on Derby day.”



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City Of Troy tops 20 in Derby contention

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City Of Troy is one of 20 left in Saturday’s Betfred Derby after Tabletalk was supplemented for the Classic at Monday’s confirmation stage.

The open nature of this year’s race seems sure to lead to a big field at Epsom, but last season’s champion juvenile City Of Troy is still favourite despite disappointing in the 2000 Guineas.

He is one of six left in by Aidan O’Brien, including the unbeaten Los Angeles, a Group One winner at two and successful in Leopardstown’s key Derby trial.

Diego Velazquez, Euphoric, Illinois and Portland could also represent the Ballydoyle handler, although the first-named colt is the ante-post favourite for Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

Adrian Murray’s Dallas Star is another trained in Ireland in the mix after winning the Ballysax Stakes.

Tabletalk, a Chelmsford winner last time out for Tom Clover, was supplemented at a cost of £75,000.

Ambiente Friendly, the subject of plenty of talk in the last week due to connections switching jockeys from Callum Shepherd to Robert Havlin, holds strong claims based on his win at Lingfield, while Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini, second in the French Guineas, is another with top-class form.

Charlie Appleby relies on Ancient Wisdom, having once looked like having three strong contenders, and Ralph Beckett is due to run Macduff.

Deira Mile, God’s Window, Kamboo, Mr Hampstead, Padesha, Sayedaty Sadaty and Voyage have also been left in.

Connections of Blue Riband Trial winner Bellum Justum believe this is the year to take a chance.

With the Guineas winner Notable Speech sticking to a mile, the placed horses from Newmarket running in the Irish equivalent and the impressive Dante winner Economics skipping Epsom, the Andrew Balding-trained colt is a live outsider.

Bellum Justum booked his ticket for the Derby by winning the Blue Riband Trial
Bellum Justum booked his ticket for the Derby by winning the Blue Riband Trial (John Walton/PA)

“All is good, we’re happy with him and it looks a very open year. It’s quite hard to assess the form lines this year,” said Alistair Donald of owners King Power Racing.

“At least we know he can go around the track and I think we’ll stay the trip. I’ve said before I don’t know if he’s quite good enough to win it, but I do think he’ll run a good race.

“This is the year to take a chance with a horse like him, as there are question marks over so many of the runners, it’s a very interesting Derby.”

The only two horses not confirmed were Roger Varian’s Defiance and O’Brien’s The Euphrates.



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O’Brien: City Of Troy and Ylang Ylang all set for Epsom

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Aidan O’Brien has issued a positive update on his big two hopes for Classic glory at Epsom, with Betfred Derby favourite City Of Troy and Oaks market leader Ylang Ylang reported in good spirits.

The former must bounce back from a disappointing display in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, when trailing home ninth of the 11 runners, 17 lengths adrift of Notable Speech.

However, he was an odds-on shot for that contest on the back of last year’s sensational juvenile exploits, which featured an ultra-impressive Dewhurst triumph, and the Justify colt has been well backed to recapture that form.

Ylang Ylang put in a much more pleasing effort when a close fifth in the 1000 Guineas, staying on strongly to finish just a length behind surprise scorer Elmalka.

Dubai Future Champions Festival 2023 – Newmarket Racecourse – Day One
Ylang Ylang ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (Nigel French/PA).

The daughter of Frankel signed off her two-year-old campaign with a gutsy success in the Fillies’ Mile and has always been thought of as a middle-distance prospect.

Speaking after sending out Heavens Gate to victory at the Curragh on Sunday, O’Brien said: “We’re very happy with City Of Troy, all is good so far.

“I’m told there has been some rain at Epsom, but it was soft when he won the Dewhurst last year.

“Ylang Ylang was fit going into the Guineas and has come out of the race well. Hopefully we’ll just keep her ticking over until Friday.”



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