Epsom Derby: Aidan O'Brien hopeful of response from City Of Troy
The trainer is looking for a record-extending 10th Derby triumph
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Aidan O'Brien is hoping for an improvement from City Of Troy in the Epsom Derby
City of Troy and Los Angeles head the Irish raid as Aidan O’Brien looks to build on last year’s Epsom Derby success and bank a 10th career victory in Britain's richest flat race.
In a sense of déjà vu, the favourite, City of Troy, will need to join last year’s winner, Auguste Rodin, in bouncing back from a recent disappointing Newmarket defeat to claim victory.
Joining them across the Irish sea is O’Brien’s Euphoric and Westmeath trainer Adrian Murray with his pick, Dallas Star.
Irish jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle will also saddle his first Derby runner on Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini.
Here’s a look at each of the four Irish contenders in today’s Epsom showdown.
City Of Troy
Hailed by O’Brien as “the best two-year-old I’ve ever trained”, City Of Troy failed to live up to expectations on his first start at three when finishing stone dead last having gone off as the odds-on favourite in the 2000 Guineas.
The son of American Triple Crown winner Justify was unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old and still holds onto favourite status for the Derby.
O’Brien will hope he comes back from a rocky start in the same way Auguste Rodin forged through to take last year’s edition despite an equally bad finish in the 2023 2,000 Guineas.
Los Angeles
The Ballydoyle trainer will see Los Angeles as another ticket to a record-extending Derby success.
His other three-year-old has made quiet but steady progress, winning the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month.
He may be second-string to City Of Troy but the colt remains unbeaten after three career starts.
Euphoric
Outsider Euphoric could be looked upon as something of a pacemaker – he boasts just one win from three starts so far.
However, the three-year-old shouldn’t be counted out as he finished just a length behind high contender Los Angeles in the Derby Trial Stakes.
Dallas Star
The only non-O’Brien Irish runner in this year’s field, Dallas Star found his first win at the fourth time of asking for then trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis.
He has fared well under Adrian Murray, winning the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on debut.