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Coolmore has confirmed their latest start City Of Troy will retire to stand at stud in Ireland after bidding to claim the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar next month.
Barring a shock defeat in the 2000 Guineas on his three-year-old reappearance in May, the son of American Triple Crown hero Justify hasn't missed a beat throughout his stellar career thus far, rounding off his champion two-year-old campaign with a scintillating performance in the Dewhurst Stakes.
Group 1 victories in the Epsom Derby, Coral Eclipse and Juddmonte International left Aidan O'Brien to hail him as the "best we've ever trained" and the son Justify will now bid to replicate that form on dirt as he heads over to California for his swansong in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"He's definitely the best we've ever trained, no doubt about it," said O'Brien on www.coolmore.com.
"Everything he's done from the start has suggested that. He's the most amazing horse with a fantastic temperament and an incredible stride.
"He just never seems to tire and is really only getting going at the end of his races, so Ryan (Moore) has often had a job to pull him up. We still don't really know how much more there is under the bonnet. I think he'll make into an unbelievable stallion."
Coolmore's MV Magnier added: "As a yearling, he was rated the nicest Justify we have bred and even before he won his maiden at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, Aidan was enthusing about him like no other before.
"It's seriously exciting to watch him in his work and in his races. He also seems to have really caught the imagination of the racing public, which is great for the sport.
"The team in America were very keen for him to stand alongside his sire Justify at Ashford but the home team have won the day, and we're delighted to be able to offer such a unique talent to our European clients.
"He's the perfect blend of Justify and Galileo; a remarkable horse who seems to be getting better and better, as his last run at York – where he lowered Sea The Stars' track record – was undoubtedly his best performance."
O'Brien confirms The Lion In Winter has been ruled out for the season
Aidan O'Brien also confirmed that The Lion In Winter, who was ruled out of the Dewhurst Stakes this morning due to a bruised foot, would likely remain off the track until next season.
The son of Sea The Stars was top of the betting for the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster later in the month, but that assignment now looks unlikely.
O'Brien said: "It's a foot infection and they can take a while and can come very quick overnight – it's just an abscess that could release and be gone in a couple of days, but could take 10 days," said O'Brien.
"I don't think we will be pushed to run again, and he has had his two runs, which is great. He's learned plenty now and I think talking to the lads, we won't be rushing to run again.
"You race them at two to teach them for next year and I suppose we saw plenty from him the last day. It would be tough ground too and that might not have been ideal to bottom him in that either."
