Aidan O'Brien blames himself for City Of Troy's Breeders' Cup Classic defeat! 'I need to step up'

[@fitzroy7054]

He fell out the stalls , but clearly never showed any signs of picking up the pace which means the horse just didn’t like the surface

[@seamusfallon3104]

Everyone knew that months ago,he went because they would have excuses WHEN (not if) he was hammered,all about protecting his stud value

[@winstonbeckford9550]

Exactly he prefers grass

[@martinwalsh5513]

@@seamusfallon3104If they were protecting his stud value they wouldn't have run him

[@AndrewStack-lr9fv]

The winner was upsides city of Troy for most of the race

[@MultiGibbs123]

Gutted for Aiden , no one is to blame , they bravely gave it a go , COT clearly hated it from the get go but that doesnt take away from his achievements and breaking See the Stars track record in the Juddmonte, I was there the day Sea the Stars won that and for COT to beat that was an achievement in itself .

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

@@MultiGibbs123 Whoever made the lame decision to have a Euro turf horse challenge US dirt horses is to blame for a very dumb decision!

[@Folk_var]

@@PatriciaGuth-i3v - It's all about the prize money.

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

@@Folk_var Absolutely! Now they have to live with the embarrassment of the joke that was City of Troy! An American pony horse could've beaten him!

[@mcvicarross7]

​@@PatriciaGuth-i3vCOT not a joke of a horse pal, he's a turf horse who hated every single yard of that surface, American racing is on oval flat tracks where the emphasis is put solely on speed! Take the best & I mean the best American dirt middle distance horse & put them in the Derby at Epsom where horses are constantly travelling up & down & round & even when the get down into tattenham corner turning into the straight they then have a camber to contend with & I'll guarantee they'd be nowhere but that wouldn't mean the best American horse was a joke. Horse's for courses!

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

@mcvicarross7 Ok so O'Brien's the joke with all his hype. Lousy training job.

[@rivergold4835]

"Lost it at the start"? Nowhere near good enough on dirt I'm afraid.

[@eirenuaireland]

Aidan said he didn't lose it at the start in another interview. He's changed his mind for this interview

[@lukekarvelis84]

He did lose it at the start

[@eirenuaireland]

@lukekarvelis84 the winner came from about 1 length in front of him I'm just saying that O'Brien has quickly changed his view . Look at his other interview just after the race.

[@drombohowes830]

@@lukekarvelis84nope the winner came from next to him so utter tosh

[@myronschabe]

@@lukekarvelis84 Yeah, and since he was not used to the dirt flying in his face, the bad start just sealed the loss....also, traveling all that way and all the pressure certainly doesn't give an advantage. Anyway, was not his day, but he is a really nice horse.

[@JodyForbes]

He lost it when they nominated him.

[@elgransenor1472]

How did he have no chance when the winner was racing alongside him with about 6f to go?

[@JD-767]

Got beaten by superior horses and a superior racing jurisdiction.

[@elgransenor1472]

@ I get that you’re trying to bait me But you’re just coming off looking foolish

[@JD-767]

@@elgransenor1472 Was so embarrassing. 🙈

[@myg2257]

When you look at it, judemont, the derby, and the other big race he won, long journey, and dirt track, Troy never looked like winning imo, but that's racing, breeders cup always unlucky for me. Still I'll try again, gamble responsibility.

[@whatever4342]

I agree with you after all they own both the horses ?

[@stephenfitzgerald579]

Long season, Never Travelled trip looked on sharp side,Fantastic horse,

[@seamusfallon3104]

any other excuses?

[@susanwilcox3403]

could see he clearly hated the dirt

[@davidpearson6785]

Chappers called this result earlier in the week in regard to sierra Leone. Well done matt, as for aiden , we just know he will be back in the winners enclosure here time and time again

[@johnralston5164]

So honest, great man, but so hard a race to win, good luck

[@elgransenor1472]

Just don’t do it again The English and Irish racing public don’t want this. We want the best horses running in our end of season races.

[@Ned-e9o]

Filthy lucre does drive many agendas in racing and elsewhere - so much so we often overlook potential dangers.

[@JodyForbes]

What does it matter where the bubble is pricked if it's pricked anyway and pricked at the same price? Stop making excuses.

[@JohnDoe-jp8fx]

Please!!!!! he took a shot no disgrace he should have run in the mile and a half turf race! Ownership pushed him….

[@johnnylynch2290]

When the English and Irish pay for transport, feed, bedding, veterinary services, training and entry fees, then they have a say. Until then its none of their business.

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

@@JohnDoe-jp8fx thats exactly what they should have done, he didnt go on the dirt - was never anywhere near it, got a rubbish jump out the stalls no doubt but the winner was upside COT for the majority of it!

[@lockoshocko]

Hindsight is a great thing! But I believe he had been injured after York and Aidan didn't want to run but was instructed to run him by the 3 amigos..

[@RunningStallion-o6u]

After years of listening to hype about European runners coming to contest the Breeder's Cup Classic like Mark Of Esteem, Giant's Causeway, Galileo and Sakee, I had my doubts about the hype behind this horse and it proved correct.

[@thecritic81]

When one his horses wins he credits everyone but himself when horse looses he takes All the blame. A proper man, a gentleman

[@spleeeen4it]

how about saying our horse wasn't good enough

[@danielfox2586]

Why are people backing a horse never run on dirt against the world's best horses who race on dirt every week your own faults

[@JK-sh8rc]

Because his sire was Justify, who won the triple crown in 2018. I understand why his connections would want to try City of Troy on dirt. They probably should have run him in a prep race on dirt here in the US first.

[@lockoshocko]

@@danielfox2586 you mean the worlds best DIRT horses ,they wouldn't have a chance in Newmarket or Ascot.

[@danielfox2586]

@lockoshocko yes mate ment dirt horses and I agree with you

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

@@lockoshocko of course they wouldnt but then you dont see them coming to try it either do you? it was silly, he didnt go an inch on that dirt - having to travel half way around the world too wont have helped!

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

@@JK-sh8rc they should have really - and had him over there a good chunk of time before the breeders, infact what they should have done is just ran him on the mile an half turf race!

[@drombohowes830]

The winner Sierra Leone came from the side of city of Troy to win the race, so utter tosh

[@lukekarvelis84]

Sierra Leone racing style is blowing the start and he’s a dirt horse. Troy had no chance coming from behind against horses at the own game he had to lead

[@nightowl7459]

​@@lukekarvelis84No he didn't have to lead, the two year old Hill Road was running on dirt the other day, didn't get the best of starts and still managed to finish well and take third place in the Juvenile Dirt Mile, City Of Troy just threw it in when things didn't go his way.

[@suemaher5282]

​@@nightowl7459What Hill Road did was amazing watched it a few times he was impressive from where he came from the more u watch it the more unbelievable it is. Rebels Romance was my only certainty and proved what an honest tough horse he is doesn't get enough credit for what he does here and overseas. Georgous looker too

[@musicmike1972]

​@@suemaher5282 - agree on Rebels Romance. He turns up at gigs all over the world and wins without getting due credit. Well done if you backed him - was hoping he would hold on when being chased down towards the finish.

[@CTRollerPigeonsuk]

Hated the kick back the underfoot your right

[@mranderson3564]

Aiden is a genius. The guy is operating at some higher level. He rolled the dice, and it backfired.

[@matthewimhardbrucelee6995]

O brien is one of the classiest men to ever grace racing

[@sehablamarketing]

From the creators of "We looked under every stone, but this one" 😅

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

@@sehablamarketing If O'Brien had truly looked under every stone, he would have put blinkers on the horse to soften the dirt kickback. I didn't see much preparation at all for this race despite all the talk!

[@bobhadland2554]

Frankel would have beaten him every time.

[@thecritic81]

Frankley only raced outside the South of England once. He went all the way to York

[@spleeeen4it]

@@thecritic81 m so, he would still thrash city of troy

[@michaelpower4372]

🤭🤭🤭🤭

[@michaelpower4372]

​@@spleeeen4itwhat has that got to do with the Breeders cup.

[@cameron3097]

It’s not his fault at all he is too humble. It’s Coolmore and others putting stupid pressure on this man to achieve the impossible. He should feel no guilt at all. Coolmore and co forced him to do this. Not the other way around.

[@seamusfallon3104]

Exactly how many losers has he had in this dirt race? surely everyone should learn from their past mistakes

[@Mehpel]

Unless their dirt bred on both sides of the pedigree AOB will continue to struggle to win the classic . I knew the horse wouldn't win a few days ago when bob baffert said COT is far more like Galileo than justify . Meaning he's got an action better suited to turf .

[@seamusfallon3104]

@Mehpel that was known months ago,no chance

[@rapidreaper]

Well it is his fault because the horse should of been tried and tested on dirt prior to the race before hyping the hell out of it to all the punters. Bookmakers support racing, and the trainers etc support the bookmakers, it's a cycle that generates money for them all. Punters are not in that loop, they just pay to keep it turning. Remember that the next time they pull a stunt like this.

[@martinwalsh5513]

@@seamusfallon3104If you haven't got the horses for dirt racing you won't win, the trainer has nothing to prove , he is world class

[@EasyGoer-e3z]

City of Troy Did Not Belong in This Race...Aidan Takes Chances Like This Hoping For Some Miracle For Breeding Value...He is "0-18" in The Classic...7-2 Was Psychotic Odds in My Opinion

[@nightowl7459]

I think O'Brien does as he's told to do by "the lads" at Coolmore.

[@200degrees.]

They all knew he had no chance they earned more than winner probably laying it on betfair for any amounts !!

[@kennethmalone8104]

Reminds me when Baffert let American Pharoah get beat by keen ice. A.P was tired and during the interviews leading up to that race Baffert choose his words hinting that He didn't want to run him 😡

[@johnfindley9833]

They’ll breed a dirt horse

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

@@kennethmalone8104 It wasn't Baffert, it was American Pharaoh's greedy owner who was being sued by everybody and his brother who wanted to win more money instead of letting his horse rest after a grueling TC run.

[@brianfarman2747]

What a trainer blaming himself City of Troy is still an outstanding European 3yr old

[@Paddy-vc3fl]

Kevin Blake, who predicted after the Guineas flop that COT would win the Derby, also said that the horse was not the right type for dirt. Angus McNae did a good piece a few days ago saying the same thing. If Kevin and Angus knew, then so did Aidan and co. I commend them for having a go, but the hype was a bit much.

[@Thomas-vg8ov]

Absolutely agree, I was aware that Angus had predicted a City Of Troy Derby win after his Guineas blow out, but I do know that he raved on about him last year, I watched that programme about his concerns about City Of Troy being a dirt horse and thought it was a rather brave programme, can't believe that those at Coolmore couldn't see it that way. 🤔

[@ajvindiesel8517]

After that debacle, COT should be kept in training as a 4yr old and go and win in the Irish meeting and Arc so he can test himself against the true greats like STS and Dancing Brave otherwise he's just another horse that won a Classic and a few group 1s of which there are many many. But it looks like the decision is made already to retire him albeit with a fallen stud value and a rating in the mid 120s.

[@Thomas-vg8ov]

Can't make sense of their decision to retire City Of Troy or why they made it before this race? I could have easily understood them deciding to have retired Auguste Rodin last year based on the fact that he had just won the Breeders Cup Turf and is by Deep Impact who recently died.

[@ChrisB-vb9hh]

Remember Rip Van Winkle back in 2009? That’s City of Troy! 💯

[@MichaelBurbage-f1x]

Just like in the 2,000gns it was a lifeless run. But the winner was behind him early on so, a win was indeed possible from that position.

[@tommyhughes2264]

The best you ever had Aiden, do you still believe that?

[@themarketm8382]

Galileo also flopped on dirt, it happens... if he had have won he would have looked a genius. Could easily have gone to the Arc or another mickey mouse race but thanks to them they took a risk and actually made an exciting race out of it

[@tommyhughes2264]

@@themarketm8382Oh my God he flopped out the stalls as if he has had one to many, never got involved and finished last, well i know he finished 8th but the way he ran he may as well finished last and you say he made an exciting race out of it, come on your better than that.

[@Thomas-vg8ov]

​@@themarketm8382Should have gone for a "Mickey Mouse race" if that was the case, then I wouldn't have the image of him looking so pitiful, at least Galileo ran with some sort of honor, but City Of Troy was just a victim of hype and greed.

[@Thomas-vg8ov]

​@@tommyhughes2264Absolutely, he wasn't running on as O'Brien is trying to claim, he was simply being pushed past other horses whose Jockeys had rightly eased them down after they had been up with that ferocious pace, and the fact that the winner Sierra Leone had actually been racing besides City Of Troy for the first three furlongs and went on to win the race well.

[@urbanpulsewalks]

Yes but the winner, Sierra Leone also started slowly and ended up winning the race?

[@pattykake7195]

He is a beast…gorgeous son of Gun Runner…❤️‍🔥

[@shifter5150]

what happen is that he ran in the wrong race TURF TURF TURF not dirt

[@anonymousanonymous3707]

Said that to my dad watching the turf race the ground looked absolutely outstanding can only wonder how City of Troy would've looked running on that

[@paulyeomans850]

City of Troy ,good but not great horse.Ive always felt that!

[@jeanlawley6483]

Yes obviously not a dirt horse ... but to be honest I've never been overly impressed with his turf wins ... He's no Frankel that for sure

[@eddie-hkleung9962]

@@jeanlawley6483Aidan surprised me when he said the horse was the best he had trained in a recent interview. I guess we will always have that little doubt as his last race was not one of those top international turf races but was arranged on dirt and lost...

[@paulyeomans850]

@jeanlawley6483 I always compare them to Dancing brave over 1m 4f not Frankel.He wasn't near the brave.Forget the dirt,he failed miserably in the guineasYou are right though,he's never been that convincing.To much hype nowadays.

[@lockoshocko]

He's still a great horse in regards European racing like them or loathe them fair play to the owners for giving it a shot .

[@ajvindiesel8517]

​@@paulyeomans850bloody well said , all these romantic fans screaming about Frankel when he beat nothing in average times and never dared to go 12f nor travel, nowhere near the likes of dancing brave.

[@jayb-wickorsnow5956]

Not good enough on Dirt, simple, but an awesome turf horse. He hated the kickback in his face as well, as most horses who race on turf would. Aidan has just got to admit, he was 100% wrong, better too have sent him to the Arc. He probably would have won.

[@ajvindiesel8517]

He was nowhere near kickback, he was about 6 or 7.lengths behind any horse Infront. He simply couldn't go on the dirt.

[@watchinginawe]

Stupid decision to go for this race. I always remember Sir Henry explaining his plans for Frankel by saying he was doing what was best for the horse. Was going there to run for the first time on dirt in the World Championship final against dirt specialists the best decision for the horse? Should have gone for the Arc all day long. It wasn’t brave, it wasn’t ambitious, it was plain stupid.

[@JK-sh8rc]

At the very least I think they should have tried a prep race on dirt here in the US.

[@Kevin-lf4xx]

With all the bulls**t. after the PR stunt at Southwell I am surprised the American horses even bothered to show up.

[@michaelpower4372]

@@JK-sh8rcthe way the yanks bring the horse's to stalls is so bloody boring it takes an age for the bleeding race to bloody start. So a horse like cot not use to that boring carry on would lose interest.

[@JK-sh8rc]

@@michaelpower4372 You don't know what you're talking about. Funny I don't see them double loading into the gate in the UK in order to gets things moving along. They double load here.

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

I don't know how it goes in Europe, but in the US horse owners make the final decision which races their horses will run. The trainer's recommendation is important, but it's not the final word. And from now on when we call Aidan the "World's Greatest Horse Trainer", let's insert "Turf" in there since he can't be called the same on dirt. Otherwise, I admire him for making the best of a bad situation. He had to know the truth of the matter after he saw City of Troy's first gallop on real dirt at Del Mar. I did and I'm just a spectator. Congrats to Aidan on his other wins at the BC.

[@Martin.Lewis..]

Sweetheart - US racing is 3 grades below UK and Ireland racing. Please don’t make comparisons as they are worlds apart!

[@MI-nw8uo]

@@Martin.Lewis.. So is your knowledge about racing....you are more like pub sunday league. Get your fingers burnt on that overrated nag?

[@Martin.Lewis..]

@@MI-nw8uo 😂😂😂 overrated? Come back when you know what day it is. #sticktoxboxkid #novicepunter

[@MI-nw8uo]

@@Martin.Lewis.. It's Novenber 4th...now show me one piece of form that stands up to scrutiny from his 3 year old races that makes him the best o'brien has trained? this is going to be fun

[@KypriosKing]

don't blame yourself for anything Aidan we win some we lose some, the horse was a baby on the dirt just too scopey type wants that quick footing would of won the turf classic but all good we move. Don't be hard on yourself Aidan the fans are proud of your year. Lots to look forward to and Twain will be back here next year looking prime, hope you really go for these turf races next year bring the champs have them ready. We're going for the breeders cup record and lets put some distance in between us.

[@johncarrigan9352]

Nothing in his performances ever pointed to a sea the stars, Frankel, dancing brave type of turf ability.q

[@keithf_]

Absolutely, and you can include Nijinsky and Enable in your list.

[@pattykake7195]

He got totally nailed by Gun Runners beast of a son…❤️‍🔥🎉❤️‍🔥

[@MarioPerez-pm1xi]

That’s what happens when you open your mouth before the horse run he’s race 😮

[@CTRollerPigeonsuk]

Hated the dirt tbh

[@bladerunner16]

What a total disaster and waste of a top-class racehorse. Send him over to the States to race on dirt, even though his whole career has been on turf, then when it fails (as many predicted it would), pack him off to stud. Shocking decision-making by Obrien and Magnier.

[@Noddy56]

It's more than obvious what happened, the horse throught it was supposed to run in rhe Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. What with the confusion and jet lag it bombed.

[@davidhounslow7845]

Yes he was slow out but the winner was beside him. So I can't see how he makes an excuse for his horse. It was always going to be a big ask. First time on dirt and against juiced up horses. I think it was a bit like that song (The Impossible dream) you can't do anymore than try.

[@simonjones309]

Utter BS. Lovely man and a greater trainer but AOB is a lousy fibber, however much Magnier is paying him

[@martybetts9523]

The hype surrounding this non event was excruciating. Racing Post, Coolmore, AOB, ITV Racing and all the other British racing establishment tried to talk up this rubbish for months. Lets face it this years 3 year olds are nothing special. City of Troy is not and never has been a world beater.

[@robertguildford]

The English derby form was not strong. Los Angeles was the only other Grp1 winner to come out of the race all season.

[@JodyForbes]

and his Group 1 was crap too. Full of stablemates.

[@Kevin-lf4xx]

The worst set of three year olds for years.

[@ianwhelan6983]

"The lads".

[@nowthen3731]

it was good for the media....

[@JamesHodgson-s1h]

Ryan's dirt record is awful.Abroad.

[@KypriosKing]

still most breeders cups 20rings.... and thats just on the turf with 0 dirt horses ever entered. Imagine if he had dirt runners and imagine they actually sent over the good horses every year... LA left out, twain would of won one imo, would of ran kyprios in the turf classic instead of luxembourg yes he's that classy to do it.. anyway still a awesome cup for AOB 2 breeders cup winners and so much to look forward to, and i hope they fill the turf races next year at the breeders cup bring the best of the best. Shoutout to coolmore and AOB for daring to dream and cause the upset... i think if they really want a classic they should buy a 2yo prospect on the dirt from america and have a light campaign with it until 3, maybe keep it stateside and travel over for it when needed.

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

He's actually tied with American trainer D. Wayne Lukas who also has 20 wins.

[@KypriosKing]

@@PatriciaGuth-i3v yes i know that, which would mean he's tied with "the most" breeders cups wins.. Key words "the most". come on use your head. by the way Lukas has been in breeders cup since its inception since 84, over 20 years longer than AOB not to take away from lukas because he's a legend but AOB doesn't even have his best horses in these races and he doesn't fill every race. Compared to some of the trainers in america who have horses for every race every single year and they bring their best... all we have is turf horses to compete we do not have 1 dirt horse so to win most breeders cups with just turf horses that are most the times 2nd strings and not the complete package and to do it sparingly is some feat.. i can tell you now if AOB was based in america and had dirt horses too he'd have over 50 to 100 breeders cup winners, no doubt.

[@bobhadland2554]

They have done this before with Agustin rodin. The owners partly owned the winner s Leone. The betting was the guide that City of Troy was not going to win. Betfred was 7 to 4 in the morning, but it went off 4 to 1. 😮😮😮😊😊😊

[@unitedrealtalk5087]

Ive always said, it was Auguste Rodin they should havr brought. Auguste Rodin looks like Sunday Silence whereas COT looks like Galileo Well done though for coolmore to give the fans the chance to see it

[@lagerhound]

Hard to accept he lost it at the start when Sierra Leone was right with him at halfway, COT just didn't act on that surface.

[@Kevin-lf4xx]

I thought he had it won after his sparkling performance at Southwell against a few donkeys.

[@Lynsky24]

Was obviously not suited by the dirt.

[@markchapman2933]

Going for the Classic was (business-wise) the easy option. The only way AOB and Coolmore could maintain the business spin that COT is "the best I've ever trained" / "our Frankel" was not to risk getting him beat in the English Champion stakes / Arc / BC Turf. And /or only winning one of those races by a short distance. The BC Classic gave them a ready made excuse and an opportunity to maintain the madness... Spin, spin, spin. And if they truly believed COT the best blah blah blah.... they would've proven it by staying in training at 4. Yes, he's a good horse, possibly even this season's best horse. But he can only be rated 1 length ahead of Calandagan... And that with the run of the race / pace bias of front-running with a strong tail wind. Breeders Beware! Truth is City Of Troy is not Aidan's best ever, he's not even the best Derby winner with the name "Troy"... And cannot be rated within a stone of Frankel.

[@JohnDoe-il7dp]

Your eyes told you CoT was not a great horse; the formbook informed you CoT was not a great horse; the speed ratings confirmed that CoT was not even a very good horse. O' Brien made himself look foolish with the spectacular hyperbole for CoT. His greates horse was Hawk Wing and the way he ruined that horse was monstrous. Ps, how many of O' Briens horses have broken down and died on the track? Loads: Landseer, Anthony van Dyke, George Washington etc

[@Thomas-vg8ov]

Coming home well 🤔 what race was Aiden watching 🤔 those behind him had been eased down, as for him losing it at the start 🤔 Sierra Leone was right besides him and won it well.

[@jayb-wickorsnow5956]

And a side point. Aidan, stop sending your horses to Australia for the Melbourne Cup in less than 100% health. He done it with Anthony Van Dyke and he died. Jan Bruegal was ruled out after not passing CT scan checks with probable chances of catastrophic injury if the horse had raced, happy for the horse.

[@robertguildford]

@@jayb-wickorsnow5956 A point on your theme. I have had three bets on the Melbourne cup whilst in Australia. All three bets won. Two of which were English runners placed in English Classics. Their racing rating was OR 116 at the end of season That is equivalent to a poor Derby winner. Yet the Australian Handicapper allots a Weight of 8st 6lb against seasoned handicappers who wouldn't get placed in a classic. Therefore, my thoughts are the Aussie Handicapper has not got his act together regarding 3yr old classic performers from Europe.At a guess, that is probably why the present disqualification of JB has accured as he is a 3yr old classic winner. The remedy give them a penalty for their runs in a European classic and they won't be taking the gloss of Australia's Premier race.

[@anonymousanonymous3707]

@@robertguildford yeah I sense that the whole situation is more political than it is medical , they just found an excuse to exclude the horse

[@tonyward4144]

Was out quick in Guinness

[@alwaysfair4991]

I too am a traditionalist with regards to horse racing.

[@MrHotlipsholohan]

Disappointing given the hype made about him

[@myronschabe]

It was a very big ask, imo, first time on dirt and totally different envirnment and big travels....watch his winning races in Europe and he is impressive....his movement is unsurpassed.

[@surpenc]

Those who fell for it must be new to racing

[@MrHotlipsholohan]

@@surpenc it was favourite

[@stuartswain8785]

Should have been kept to the turf not quick enough out the stalls for american dirt races.

[@eliotdavey4927]

Biggest over hyped horse since Crowned Prince in the 70s

[@raymondcarolan]

The horse was lit up on the way down ,wasting energy had no chance ,anti post betting is crazy. 😅

[@ajvindiesel8517]

I dont get why if Aiden was desperate to win the Classic that he didnt go over there and run 2 prep races over dirt n get used to the surface and stalls. You cant just go iver and beat Americas best on your debut, stupid decision. Shouldve run the Arc or cut the UK Season short n raced in America a couple of times. Not being wise after the event but its bleeding obvious.

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

Someone thought too much of City of Troy and expected too much of him.

[@AlanKelly-ff7tk]

Obrien a clown show in the states on dirt - fact Moore a clown show in the states on dirt - fact

[@matth6349]

He didn’t take to the track simple

[@lockoshocko]

Greed has nothing to do with it! Racing to these people is a business and part of their breeding operation. Sitting at home in their own back yard beating the same horses every week without taking a gamble on something outside the box is not in their makeup

[@seamusfallon3104]

Went precisely as every thinking person predicted!,virtually all European horses are slowly away on dirt ( moving surface), all over in a few yards, feel sorry for the multitudes of (so called) punters who backed an inevitable loser

[@shiftylad9938]

He was a lay lay lay all day tbh

[@Paulhanratty885]

💯

[@lesleywilliams8166]

The Euro contingent will have to have a division here in the U S to compete with the best dirt horses in the game, he'll have to split time here or find a trusted lieutenant, but that horse with Galileo on his dam side , you could make an educated guess that he wasn't going to like dirt

[@mguerra310]

Well at least this settles the debate. Baffert is at a greater level than Aiden as far as trainers go. Baffert wouldn’t have let this happen.

[@margaretbrowne8368]

Your words start to lose value.,whenyour actions don't match ?????

[@seadrifter8975]

He had no experience on dirt and a prep on a poly track means nothing . Winner was behind COT at half way so the break wasn’t ideal but not the reason he ran so badly . Aidans a nice guy but he could have looked under stones for eternity and it wouldn’t have changed the result ? The reality is the horse wasn’t good enough on this type of surface

[@davidthomas450]

As much as I respect Aiden o brien for everyone to say COT is one of the best horses ever is way over the top, imo he wouldn’t hold a candle to frankel sea the stars and the great dancing brave 🧐 I’m not for kicking people when they are down but even if he would have won today I would think that. The form of horses behind in dewhurst and derby are to say disappointing at the best

[@lockoshocko]

@@davidthomas450 He,s we'll up their with those particular horses you just mentioned ok he had an off day in the guinneas but dancing brave had his off days and STS got beat 1st time out as for frankel don't get me started on the most overrated social media rapped in cotton wool horse ever .

[@davidthomas450]

@ it’s all about opinions but dancing brave only disappointed in ironically breeders cup but had been on go all season and won 2000 Guineas eclipse york race cot won king George and arc , as for frankel he was a great but yes I agree with maybe just slightly overhyped but cot going to stud so imo they have definitely overegged him as bar for french horse he beat at York the crop of horses not been that great . He’s a good horse but won’t be remembered as a great.

[@Kevin-lf4xx]

COT the most overhyped horse I have ever seen.

[@MarcusAurelius7777]

He lost people a lot of money today...

[@surpenc]

They're adults they lost their own money take responsibility for your own decisions

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

​@@surpencBettors make their decisions on what's said about a horse, too!

[@goldenboots507]

Good, if they're so stupid to back a turf horse against the best dirt horses in the world then they deserve it.

[@goldenboots507]

Lesson learnt 😂

[@Jaam0119]

I thought they were going to let COT rock? How this horse became favourite for a breeders cup classic, based on the back of a great turf campaign is a joke. How was this horse who’s never ran on the surface, never faced kick back, never raced against a hardened dirt horse, a favourite? Absolute joke.

[@Martin.Lewis..]

😂😂😂 Maybe because his forms is light years ahead of the opposition. Lost it at the start. End of.

[@craigbradley6210]

Told everyone he had no chance but they wouldn’t have it. You can’t just turn up at this race with no dirt experience. Even Frankel would struggle to do that. If Aidan is going to win this race he has to send the horse over to US at least twice beforehand. Maybe go for the Kentucky Derby instead of the Guineas then another grade one before the Breeders Cup

[@jonathanmaguire3890]

The greatest flat trainer in the history of flat racing,is not afraid to come out,and say he got it wrong.If he did or didn't,he did not run and hide,like other trainers,blaming everyone except themselves.....take Dettori,on Emily UpJohn....I backed her,my money was gone 5 seconds into the race,Dettori keeping the horse off the pace at the back....at total disaster of a ride.

[@Philipsmith-d6f]

Never.mind.have.a..llovely.retirament.troy.will.miss.you❤

[@somewhereuk1957]

And the winner.... owned by Magniers et al..

[@gerardorancapero]

City of Troy is just over rated horse.

[@lockoshocko]

😂 a multiple G1 winner ,Derby winner, and broke the Track record in York. Ffs go back to bed.!

[@JodyForbes]

@@lockoshocko So did Calandagan at York as well and he got smacked next start too. All 3 placegetters from York beaten at their next start and 2 of them have been unplaced. Crap form around the 10 furlongs.

[@elgransenor1472]

@@JodyForbes Calandagan 2nd in the Champions- smacked? Ghost Writer beaten 2L in the Irish Champion- smacked? That just shows how competitive and diverse racing in Europe is In Australia horses rack up winning streaks because they race on the same tracks over and over again and the tracks are flat velodromes with little variation To run 10f at Sandown in Summer, York in Summer, Leopardstown in Autumn and Ascot deep into Autumn is to run in four very different races with 4 very different course characteristics Whereas in Australia the variation from one race to the next is negligible Plus you can’t afford to have a slightly off day racing at G1 level in Europe In Australia a good horse can have an off day and still win because the depth is just not there

[@alancope8531]

​@@JodyForbesAnd the 4th won the Arc!!

[@Ned-e9o]

That took the cocky smirk off Chapman's face!

[@EasyGoer-e3z]

He is Beyond Annoying

[@nightowl7459]

There's no smirk, he's being polite and smiling, obviously you don't like it that Chapman was never on board the City Of Troy fan train and dared believe he could just possibly get beaten.

[@Ned-e9o]

@@nightowl7459 Chapman would have instantly turned into a gloating monster if CoT had got up in this race.

[@nightowl7459]

@@Ned-e9o Fot up?

[@jarvsie]

@@Ned-e9o Why ?he tipped Soerra Leone..

[@KypriosKing]

here's my opinion like i mentioned once or twice.... american dirt horses are milers... fast quick to do it milers that are stretched out over the 10 and basically you have COT who wants 1m4f and these dirt horses want 7 8 and 9, so its like putting a 5f horse into a 1m2f he just wont suit the race. 2 different archetypes, thats why they dont race 1m4f on the dirt cause the horses are milers.

[@CarlCarlson-k5p]

Nothing wrong with obrien. But fans hoping he would turn into a monster was a bad bet. I said many times b4 race remember medelsen. The dirt horses that obrien did good with on dirt in past were bred top n bottom 4 dirt. C.o.t.bred top 4 dirt but bottom all turf. But cant blame him 4 trying. And thats that.

[@konorhalpin]

"Everyone's wife is the prettiest at home". Arsene Wenger

[@JasonLaveck]

Cot is a grass horse, its okay. He is still awesome, people around him are trash to put in that situation

[@alanhunter9986]

Did you hear the one about the Irishman who took his horse to America .........

[@Manuel-um5sc]

Grass,Grass no more dirt next year in the turf classic

[@keithknight1686]

The truth is that he did not achieve on the racecourse that the horse showed them at home, as with many 'talking horses'. If Aidan wouldn't get him to win on dirt, no one could. And why is this race on dirt being taalked-up as if it is the holy grail of the sport? It's just a race on dirt. It is not an Arc or Epsom Derby, for pities sake.

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

City of Troy needed an American trainer for dirt.

[@lockoshocko]

Very good point! The yanks, know that the surface is shit and bad for horse welfare. But so much time and effort has been made getting their horses to be bred for this that they are never going to change. When they did run it on polytrack a european 1,2 resulted

[@PatriciaGuth-i3v]

@@lockoshocko The Yanks win World's Greatest Racehorse more often than Euros, so that says something about our racing compared to Europe!

[@lockoshocko]

@PatriciaGuth-i3v You have dirt in USA you have Turf in Europe why don't they use Polytrack or sentethic surface for the breeders cup ? Ah no we won't do that! The last time we tried that Europe finish 1st and Second...

[@lockoshocko]

@@keithknight1686 he did not achieve? What a load of horses manure! A Derby winner, multiple G1 winner and broke the track record in York.

[@scotthands4396]

Coming home very well 🤦. He was rowing it half way round, virtually last throughout and good horses dont just fal out and then don't compete, if he had been beaten a length after a bad start yes but the horse looked like a grade 5 seller

[@user-yk9wg8ow9i]

the mafia coolmore a crowd of gansters.

[@martinwalsh5513]

There's always one 🤡

[@user-yk9wg8ow9i]

@@martinwalsh5513 go read, the black horse inside Coolmore and come back to me then.

[@thecritic81]

Do you wear a red nose and floppy, shoes

[@user-yk9wg8ow9i]

@@thecritic81, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. The book is out there to read. The powers of Coolmore tried their best to bury this book. Ask yourself why, when it came out, all the big bookstores did not stock it; you had to go to an independent store to buy it.

[@bkgraham6193]

This guy calls a Gangster a gangster. Illiterate numpty

[@martindaly1950]

City of troy is not a great horse period,the Derby form is pretty average at best,O Brien has sent better horses for the classic and wasn't successful in fact his record is dreadful

[@thomasmooney4321]

Excuses ..the horse was krap.listen

[@colinryan315]

If you had listened to the owner of fierceness you would not have gone near city of troy unfortunately I didn't 😢

[@Sophia-js5mr]

City is a turf horse honey ,it like it mother and grand da. Innit😂😂😂😂😂 Now get yourself ready to be several da,and let carry on the legacy Mr city😂

[@johnwalton3743]

Them American dirt horses are built like tanks compared to the European horses

[@johnfaw]

Aidan always takes the blame when things do not work out and shares the credit with the team when they do. Knew he had NO chance as soon as it was announced he was heading to the classic. At least they won the classic with a proper dirt horse. Why try to win the classic with a turf horse when they have a proper dirt horse? Why didn't they send SL in the turf race?

[@lockoshocko]

Hindsight is a great thing!

[@elgransenor1472]

Just stop Why do they feel the need to do this Stop wasting good horses on this stupid pipe dream. We missed out on seeing a very good horse run one or two more times in Europe for this disaster Run our good horses in our end of season races. I want to see our Derby winner running in the Arc not a dirt race in California

[@JodyForbes]

Because they knew he was just another one of their 3 year old colts that wasn't good enough to win the Arc either.

[@kennethmalone8104]

​@@JodyForbesactually he's a beast, he just run into other beast on their turf so to speak. His Mom was a grass runner they put him in to late. I think one American race before this may have produced a different outcome

[@JodyForbes]

@@kennethmalone8104 Given the margin of defeat, one could have been forgiven for believing his Mom was just a grass eater. The horse isn't anything special son and the 3 year old crop in Europe isn't as good as previous generations.

[@kennethmalone8104]

@@JodyForbes I still give 75% fault to owners, they trained on the U.S. gates one time and gave him one similar training on synthetics 😡

[@michaelpower4372]

I think if someone asked me to eighter go to California or watch the Derby. I know were I would be off to.

[@myronschabe]

Not sure how you train a horse to come out of the gate faster without abusing them. The horse is really good...an exceptional mover.