Michael Church Racing Books

246                                    CITY OF TROY                          2024

Run on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 as the Betfred Derby over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-olds; entire colts 9st 2lb, fillies 8st 13lb. 75 entries. Value to winner £882,407.60

1^st     CITY OF TROY                     Ryan Moore                3-1 Fav

2^nd   AMBIENT FRIENDLY             Robert Havlin        9-2           2¾ lengths

3^rd    LOS ANGELES                Wayne Lordan       6-1            3¼  lengths

 Also ran: 4^th Deira Mile (Jim Crowley) 14-1; Sayedaty Sadaty (Tom Marquand) 50-1; Dancing Gemini (Dylan Browne McMonagle) 8-1: Bellum Justum (Oisin Murphy) 16-1; Ancient Wisdom (William Buick) 6-1; Euphoric (Declan McDonogh) 33-1; Tabletalk (James Doyle) 100-1; Kamboo (Richard Kingscote) 80-1; God’s Window (Kieran Shoemark) 33-1; Macduff (Rossa Ryan) 14-1; Dallas Star (David Egan) 33-1 (tailed off); Mr Hamstead (Sean Levey) 80-1 (tailed off 93½  lengths behind the winner: Voyage (Pat Dobbs) 28-1 (unseated at start).

For those attending this years Betfred Derby, there was an absence of the protest groups that had  threatened trouble the previous year. Moreover, with no Cup Final to contend with, the race returned to the more suitable time of 4.30. King Charles and Queen Camilla, having attended the day before to see their Oaks entry, Treasure run, were not present to see the Derby.

Commentary: City Of Troy, by the American Triple Crown winner, Justify, and rated Europe’s top two-year-old after his impressive victory in Newmarket’s Dewhurst Stakes, was a bitter disappointment in the 2,000 Guineas, starting the 4-6 favourite and finishing 9th of 11, beaten 17 lengths by Godolphin’s Notable Speech. In the run up to the Derby his price yo-yoed as punters searched for an alternative. The Gredley Families Ambient Friendly, provided that and was backed down on the day to 9-2, after an impressive victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Others in contention at 6-1 were Godolphin’s Ancient Wisdom, winner of the Doncaster Futurity, and Los Angeles, Aiden O’Brien’s second string, unbeaten in three runs.

Sixteen runners went to post and the commentators “The’re Off”, was met with a great cheer. Leaving the stalls, Voyage, drawn 16 of 16 stumbled and unseated Pat Dobbs. However, the early pace was not affected and was taken up by the O’Brien pair Euphoric and Los Angeles in an attempt to set the race up for City Of Troy, who from stall 1 settled in at the rear of the field.

Running down from the highest point to Tattenham Corner, Euphoric led from Los Angeles, Sayedaty Sadaty and Dallas Star, while taking the corner, City Of Troy was still only in mid-division. Ominously, three furlongs out, Ambient Friendly was seen cruising, while Ryan Moore searched for a gap off the rails.

Then, two furlongs out, taking the opportunity as the field spread out a little, Moore drove City Of Troy through a gap between his stable companions to join the leaders, momentarily sharing the lead with Ambient Friendly, who in the final duel proved no match for City Of Troy, who went on to win by 2¾ lengths. Los Angeles, a further 3¼ lengths adrift ran an honorable third, while Deira Mile snatched fourth in the final strides.

This was Aidan O’Brien’s record tenth Derby winner and Mrs John (Sue) Magnier and Michael Tabor’s 11^th in partnership. It was also Ryan Moore’s fourth Derby winner following Auguste Rodin (2023), Ruler Of The World  (2013) and Workforce (2010).

16 ran. Time 2min 38.32 sec

The winner was BRED by Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt. OWNED by Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith and TRAINED by A P O’Brien at Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The winner, CITY OF TROY (b.c. 2021), has won 4 races from 5 starts: Barronstown Stud EBF (C & F) Maiden, The Curragh, Bet365 Superlative Stakes, and Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Betfred Derby Stakes, Epsom. 

The sire, JUSTIFY (ch.c.2015), ex STAGE MAGIC by GHOSTZAPPER, won 5 races from 6 starts incl. Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Preakness, Pimlico, Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park.

The dam, TOGETHER FOREVER (b.f.2012), by GALILEO ex GREEN ROOM by THEATRICAL, won 3 races incl Dubai Fillies Mile, Newmarket and has bred 4 other winners.

________________________________________________________________________________

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s TV interviews go to the foot of About Michael

247                                       EZELIYA                             2024

 RUN on Friday, 31 May 2024, as the Betfred Oaks, over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-old fillies, 9st 2lb. Value to winner £311,905.

1^st   EZELIYA  Chris Hayes   13-2

2^nd DANCE SEQUENCE   William Buick    7-1        3 lengths

3^rd  WAR CHIMES  Tom Marquand   50-1      1½ lengths

Also ran: 4^th You Got To Me (Hector Crouch) 15-2; Caught U Looking (Colin Keane) 16-1; Ylang Ylang (Ryan Moore) 11-8 Fav; Forest Fairy (Rossa Ryan) 10-1; Making Dreams (Clifford Lee) 40-1;  Rubies Are Red (Wayne Lordan) 12-1; Secret Satire (Oisin Murphy) 20-1 (tailed off); Treasure (James Doyle) 22-1 (tailed off);  Seaward (Sylvestre De Sousa) 40-1 (tailed off, last).

Commentary:  The clear favourite at 11-8 for this years Oaks was Ylang Ylang, a Frankel filly trained by Aidan O’Brien, who having won Newmarket’s Fillies Mile as a juvenile, finished a very close fifth in the 1,000 Guineas, beaten only a length. Next in the market at 13-2 was the Aga Khan’s, Dubawi filly, Ezeliya, winner of the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan. Godolphin’s Dance Sequence, also by Dubawi, and winner of the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile, was despite disappointing in the Guineas, a popular alternative at 7-1. Treasure, the Royal runner, was available at 22-1.

Twelve runners lined up on good to soft ground for the 246th Oaks Stakes. Caught You Looking, Secret Satire and Making Dreams (outside), took them along until Making Dreams built up a lead after 3 furlongs, extending it to four lengths at the top of the hill from Seaward, Treasure and Caught U Looking. At this point the O’Brian pair, Ylang Ylang and Rubies Are Red were at the back  of the field.

Coming out of Tattenham Corner, Making Dreams was joined by You Got To Me and Caught U Looking, with Ezeliya in close attendance.

However, passing the 2 furlong pole, Dance Sequence made progress to join Ezeliya; battle ensued, until approaching 100 yards out, when Ezeliya, with Chris Hayes aboard, stormed clear to win by 3 lengths.

In the closing stages, War Chimes ran on well to finish third a further length and a half away.

Ylang Ylang, pushed along from Tattenham Corner, finished a well beaten 6th.

12 ran   Time 2 min 42.06 sec

Winner BRED by H.H. The Aga Khan’s Studs SC. OWNED by H.H. The Aga Khan TRAINED by D.K. Weld, Ireland

______________________________________________________________________________

The winner, EZELIYA (b.f. 2021), has won 3 races from 4 starts: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, Cork, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes, Navan, Betfred Oaks.

The sire, DUBAWI (b.c.2002) ex DUBAI MILLENNIUM by SEEKING THE GOLD, won 5 races from 8 starts incl. National Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas, The Curragh, Prix Jaques Le Marois, Deauville. Second in Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes. Third in Vodafone Derby. Champion Sire in GB & Ireland 2022. Sire of 6 GB Classic winners 2010-2024.

The dam, EZIYRA (ch.f. 2003) by TEOFILO, ex EYTARNA by DUBAI DESTINATION, won 6 races from 13 starts incl. Moyglare “Jewells” Blandford Stakes, The Curragh. She has  bred 1 other winner: EZIVA b.f. 2020 by MEDAGLIA D’ORO, won 1 race from 5 starts, a Tramore Maiden over 1 mile 4 furlongs.

______________________________________________________________________________________

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale.