City Of Troy makes all the running in Juddmonte International

All conquering at two, Aidan O’Brien’s son of Justify left 2000 Guineas disappointment in the past with redemption both in the Derby at Epsom and then when registering a battling success in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

With many far from wowed by his heroics in Esher, an all-star cast assembled to take him on in the Ebor Festival’s opening-day highlight.

City Of Troy jumped out alertly in the hands of Ryan Moore, with the rider eager to make the most of his Classic-winning stamina.

Royal Rhyme, City Of Troy’s stablemate Hans Andersen and Ghostwriter were in his immediate slipstream, with Japanese raider Durezza also close by, while those from further back were keen to work their way into contention swinging into the straight.

The Aga Khan’s Calandagan burst out of the pack to lay down his challenge and continue Francis-Henri Graffard’s fine season, but as both the French raider and City Of Troy scorched clear of the field, the Royal Ascot winner was unable to reel in Ballydoyle’s star performer as he broke the course record.

City Of Troy crossed the line a length clear of Calandagan, with Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter claiming third.

“I’m obviously always saying too much about him and they are saying he smashed the course record there and it didn’t go according to plan,” said O’Brien.

“Ryan decided to make the running on him and what an incredible ride he gave him.

“I’m so delighted for the lads and we always felt he was something very different. Things haven’t gone right for him some days, but he still overcomes them which makes it very special.

“He is a horse who loves to be up with the pace and a strong pace and he gets it really well. Everything he does, he stays, he is tough and we’re hoping the lads might go to the (Breeders’ Cup) Classic with him, that would be some dream.

“He has natural pace out the stalls like Giant’s Causeway had but quicker. What happened in the Guineas frightened us and we didn’t want to do that any more, we wanted to drop him in and teach him to relax and do all the right things.

“He did it with Ryan unplanned today, so it was in there wanting to come out. It was incredible what he did there and the last half of the race, what he was doing was incredible, I thought he went through the line really strong.

“He is the best I have trained and we thought that as a two-year-old, we always thought that. He is the most special horse we’ve ever had. We went off the road the first run this year and right into the swamp, but for him to come out of it and to get to where he is today is incredible.”