Justify’s City Of Troy Tops 2YO Classification

Aidan O'Brien hailed City Of Troy as the most exciting two-year-old he's trained as the son of Justify was named Europe's champion juvenile for 2023 when the classification was released on Tuesday. He becomes the 13th European champion two-year-old to have been trained by O'Brien, with only Johannesburg (126) achieving a higher rating among the previous 12.

A Coolmore homebred out of the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), City Of Troy went unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, culminating with a dominant display when winning the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket by three and a half lengths. It was that effort which earned him his rating of 125, five pounds clear of the next best juvenile, G1 Phoenix S. winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

“We've probably never had a horse as exciting as City Of Troy as a two-year-old,” said O'Brien. “I suppose from the first time he ran he looked like he was something different. What makes him different is the tempo he's able to go in a race and then he just kicks into another gear at halfway.”

Noting the differences between City Of Troy and Johannesburg, O'Brien added, “Johannesburg was more of a two-year-old. He was a small horse, but City Of Troy is a bigger horse with a massive, long stride. He looks like he'll have no problem going up in distance and he's a horse who should go forward from two to three.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) handicapper Mark Bird said of the champion juvenile, “City Of Troy proved himself the cream of the two-year-old crop in Europe with three impressive performances between July and October. His rating of 125 places him alongside high-class horses such as Zafonic and Fasliyev at the same stage of their careers and behind only four-time Group 1-winning juvenile Johannesburg (126) among his own stable's illustrious roll call of European champion two-year-olds.”

Two of the top four colts were trained at Ballydoyle by O'Brien. Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was just behind Adrian Murray's Bucanero Fuerte with a rating of 119 having emulated City Of Troy by winning each of his three starts as a two-year-old, including an impressive five-length victory in the G1 National S. at the Curragh. He looks another leading Classic contender for his stable as a three-year-old, with a trip to France reportedly first on the agenda.

O'Brien said, “Obviously it can all change, but we're thinking of starting City Of Troy at Newmarket [in the G1 2000 Guineas] and we're thinking of maybe starting Henry Longfellow in France [in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains].”

G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was ranked joint-third with Henry Longfellow. He also emerged as the best of the British-based two-year-olds ahead of three other top-level winners, namely Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), who earned a rating of 117 for his victory in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp; Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), rated 116 after her win in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at the Curragh; and Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was awarded a rating of 115 after his wins in the G3 Autumn S. at Newmarket and G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

Fallen Angel was rated highest of all juvenile fillies trained in Britain, but she had to settle for the runner-up spot in Europe behind the 118-rated Opera Singer (Justify), the emphatic winner of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on whom O'Brien also issued a positive bulletin ahead of her three-year-old campaign.

“Opera Singer was a filly who improved with every run as the year went on and she got better as she went up in trip,” said O'Brien. “We were very happy with her last two runs and we haven't seen the best of her at all. She's done well physically and we're thinking she'll probably start in the G1 1000 Guineas.”

The 114-rated Ramatuelle, another daughter of Justify, was the standout two-year-old of either sex in France having won three of her first four starts for Christopher Head, including the G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly by four lengths, before being narrowly beaten by Vandeek when stepping up to the top level in the Prix Morny at Deauville. The 113-rated Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), runner-up to Fallen Angel in the Moyglare, and G1 Fillies' Mile winner Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), rated 112, were the pick of the other juvenile fillies in Europe.

The Breeders' Cup was a happy hunting ground for the European raiders, with Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett) and Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point) both achieving notable ratings in winning the G1 Juvenile Turf and G1 Juvenile Turf Sprint respectively. With a rating of 114, Unquestionable shares joint-ninth with Dewhurst runner-up Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot) and Ramatuelle, while Big Evs sits just outside the top ten on 113, together with G2 Champagne S. winner Iberian (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), G1 Criterium International hero Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and Vespertilio.

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Blue Point’s Rosallion Brilliant In The Lagardere

   Beautiful sunshine bathed ParisLongchamp on its biggest day and Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere proved a fitting opener to the action with Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}–Rosaline {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) dominating the closing stages of this up-to-scratch renewal. Brilliant in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery S. in July but disappointing when third in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster last month, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred was truly on song here to provide Sean Levey with all the good vibrations in this qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Anchored in rear early from his compromising wide draw, the Richard Hannon-trained relative of some of the owner-breeder's best recent performers was finally unleashed 300 metres from the finish as Ryan Moore sent Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for home. Accelerating impressively as he had done at Ascot to swamp that rival inside the last half furlong, the generously-priced 6-1 shot had a length to spare at the line as the too-keen previously-unbeaten TDN Rising Star and even-money favourite Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) wound up 1 1/2 lengths behind in third.

“He felt exceptional today,” Levey said of the live 2000 Guineas contender who was providing his first-crop sire sensation with his first Group 1 winner and setting a new track record into the bargain. “At Doncaster, when I asked him he didn't know what to do on that soft ground and he's still so babyish. He has a great mind though and he'll keep learning. He had to overcome a lot today from that draw and was a bit confused when I restrained him, especially in the false straight. I was always going to win today. He had his ground and that's how good he is.”

Rosallion, who had struck on debut over 6 1/2 furlongs at Newbury just before Royal Ascot, had set almost the benchmark in terms of British-trained juveniles in the Pat Eddery, where the likes of Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) had trailed in his wake. Hannon had kept the faith after the Champagne and was relieved with this justification, completed in course-record time ahead of the previous 1:18.40 set by this race's winner Naaqoos (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in 2008.

“It was very sticky ground at Doncaster and he hated it, but I was so disappointed–I couldn't believe he got beat. We scoped him afterwards and everything was fine and the only thing I can put it down to was the ground. Sean was as gutted as I was at Doncaster–I don't think he said a word to me after he got beat in the Champagne S. He couldn't believe it either, that's the sort of horse he is. Today was a recovery mission and you don't generally come to the Lagardere on a recovery mission, as it takes an extremely good horse to win it but he showed today that he's the horse we thought he was.”

“We'll look forward to the Guineas now for next year,” Hannon added. “I wouldn't rule out the Breeders' Cup, but I'm very happy to look forward to the Guineas. I haven't had much luck at the Breeders' Cup, obviously it's got to change at some stage but I think it's unlikely.”

Aidan O'Brien said of Unquestionable and the pace-setting Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never), who finished fourth, “The trip was okay and both will be fine at a mile. Ryan said Unquestionable could be a horse for America, so we will look at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after seeing how they are. Unquestionable is definitely a Guineas horse, we will see which one next year.”

Yann Barberot said of Beauvatier, who recorded the race's fastest individual split between the two and the one at :10.56 but who was too free throughout the early stages, “We have been helped by the quick ground, but you need a colt with a lot of speed to win the Lagardere and he is not made for speed. In future, he will run over 1600 metres or even 2000 metres. I am very happy with him, he performed well. He found himself a bit behind at the start of the race, because he was impeded by the Andre Fabre-trained horse who pulled a lot.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Rosallion's unraced dam Rosaline is one of the progeny of the owner-breeder's sensational producer Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), whose seven black-type performers include this year's G1 Queen Anne S. hero Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Rosaline is a full-sister to the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein victor Ostilio (GB), while other Reem Three notables are the G3 Bengough S. winner Cape Byron (GB) by Blue Point's sire Shamardal and this year's Listed Heron S. winner Captain Winters (GB) whose sire Lope De Vega is also by Shamardal. The third dam is Jumaireyah (GB) (Fairy King), herself responsible for the G2 Celebration Mile and G3 Sovereign S. winner and GI Arlington Million runner-up Afsare (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Next up from Rosaline is a yearling colt by Make Believe (GB).

 

 

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE (GRAND CRITERIUM)-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:18.23 (NTR), g/s.
1–ROSALLION (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Rosaline (Ire), by New Approach (Ire)
2nd Dam: Reem Three (GB), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. €228,560. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Eng, 4-3-0-1, €281,758. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Unquestionable (Fr), 126, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien. €91,440.
3–Beauvatier (Fr), 126, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€160,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Philippe Allaire & Haras d'Etreham; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €45,720.
Margins: 1, 1HF, 1. Odds: 6.10, 7.10, 1.00.
Also Ran: Henry Adams (Ire), Zabiari (GB), Native American (Ire), Jayarebe (Fr), Ballymount Boy (Ire), Evade (Fr), West Man (Ger). Scratched: Johannes Brahms (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Rosallion Becomes Blue Point’s Third Stakes Winner On King George Undercard

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}–Rosaline {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) became his first-crop sire's third stakes winner when scooting to an impressive four-length triumph in Saturday's Listed Flexjet Pat Eddery S. at Ascot.

The 11-1 chance, who annexed his June 7 debut over 6 1/2 furlongs at Newbury when last seen, raced under cover in eighth through the early fractions of this straight seven-furlong test. Making eyecatching headway on the bridle once past halfway, he cruised to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and quickened clear in impressive fashion to easily outclass fellow 11-1 chance Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) by daylight. Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) was unable to match the winner's kick and finished 3/4-of-a-length further adrift in third.

“He's a good horse, we always thought he was a good horse and he's my [G1 2000] Guineas horse,” said trainer Richard Hannon after doubling his win tally in the contest. “The further he goes, the better he goes. He's in the [G1 Vincent O'Brien] National S. in Ireland and will obviously be in the [G1] Dewhurst. He's not a small horse, he has loads of scope and he behaves like a very good horse. We're thinking about next year.”

Rosallion becomes the first stakes winner out of an unraced full-sister to G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein victor Ostilio (GB). The April-foaled bay's second dam, Listed Hoppings S. runner-up Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), has six stakes winners to her credit headed by this term's G1 Queen Anne S. hero Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and G1 Prix Jean Romanet victrix Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). She is also the dam of G3 Bengough S. victor Cape Byron (GB) (Shamardal) and Listed Heron S. winner Captain Winters (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Reem Three, who is a half-sister to G2 Celebration Mile and G3 Sovereign S. victor Afsare (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), is out of a half-sister to stakes-winning G3 Dubai City of Gold runner-up Lost Soldier Three (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}). From the family of G2 Derby Italiano hero Summer Festival (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}), Rosallion is kin to a yearling colt by Make Believe (GB).

 

Saturday, Ascot, Britain
FLEXJET PAT EDDERY S. (WINKFIELD S.)-Listed, £50,000, Ascot, 7-29, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.49, gd.
1–ROSALLION (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Rosaline (Ire), by New Approach (Ire)
2nd Dam: Reem Three (GB), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $43,146.
2–Al Musmak (Ire), 131, c, 2, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Parton (GB), by Kitten's Joy. (95,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £10,750.
3–Ancient Wisdom (Fr), 131, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Golden Valentine (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire). (€2,000,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Godolphin; B-Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods (FR); T-Charlie Appleby. £5,380.
Margins: 4, 3/4, NO. Odds: 11.00, 11.00, 1.75.
Also Ran: Alyanaabi (Ire), Dancing Gemini (Ire), Sunway (Fr), Chaturanga (Ire), Barg (Ire), Bigbertiebassett (GB), How's The Guvnor (Ire).

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