The fantastic York Ebor 2024 festival took centre stage last week for four days, with a superlative Juddmonte International success for the mighty City Of Troy perhaps the centrepiece of the meeting. We look back at the Derby winners’ latest Group 1 success and pick out some more highlights from a thrilling few days on the Knavesmire.
York Ebor 2024: City Of Troy a Superstar
He was the unbeaten champion juvenile last season but ever since he flopped in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, City Of Troy had his doubters queuing up. Even a handsome win in the Epsom Derby didn’t silence them, after he was no more than workmanlike in his Eclipse victory at Sandown afterwards.
At York, he put the doubters out of their misery with a stunning display of front-running under Ryan Moore. On the Knavesmire, the onlookers lapped it up while “Simply The Best” blared out on the public address as he returned in triumph from a breathtaking performance. The Breeders’ Cup Classic is a mouthwatering prospect later in the year and trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has always held the Justify colt in high regard, didn’t play it down one bit when asked if City Of Troy might be the best horse he has trained.
“Yes, we thought that as a two-year-old, we always did think it,” he said. “Everything he’s done from the first day we trained him suggested that. He was the most special horse we ever had.” Next, it appears likely City Of Troy will try to break America and win one of the few prizes that remain elusive to his master trainer.
York Ebor 2024: King Ryan
At York and beyond last week, Ryan Moore underlined his status as the best jockey in Europe, if not the world right now. Moore had just 13 rides during his three-day visit to York. He landed five wins, four of them in Group races and a well-judged ride on Age Of Gold for Richard Hannon in a valuable nursery.
He led the field a merry dance as The Lion In Winter won the Acomb, got Los Angeles up late to bag the Great Voltigeur and then showcased his tactical acumen on City Of Troy when his pacemaker didn’t leave the stalls quick enough. Content won the Yorkshire Oaks and he even got Believing closest to Bradsell in the Nunthorpe from a terrible draw. He is peerless and, skipping Ebor Day, he headed instead to the Curragh for a perfect four-timer from four rides on Saturday. A genius at his work.
York Ebor 2024: Magical Ebor moment for De Bromhead
Surely Henry de Bromhead was guilty of a sizeable understatement in declaring ‘it all fell into place’, after watching Magical Zoe win The Ebor in fine style under Billy Lee. The mare had run only three times on the Flat previously, much better known for her jumping ability, but she travelled smoothly and went clear to win by two and three-quarter lengths in one of Europe’s most prestigious handicaps on the Flat.
De Bromhead is far more feted for his National Hunt exploits but also won the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Glorious Goodwood with Term Of Endearment three weeks ago. Magical Zoe had finished fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and connections revealed it was rider Adrian Heskin that suggested after that race: “You want to get her on the Flat, she’s absolutely made for it; they don’t go quick enough for her over jumps”.
From there, it was all about De Bromhead having her spot on for a big day like York and the Waterford handler, who won a Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National all in a month back in 2021, didn’t disappoint.
By Rob Eddy
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