York thrilled at prospect of City Of Troy clash with Japanese ace

York’s chief executive William is fascinated to see how last year’s Japanese St Leger winner Durezza fares against

City Of Troy

in what promises to be a mouthwatering renewal of the Juddmonte International.

With Aidan O’Brien leaning towards keeping the Derby and Eclipse winner at 10 furlongs, the richest race on the Knavesmire is City Of Troy’s likely port of call on August 21.

But a fascinating new opponent has emerged in the shape of Durezza, who will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire.

“We’re obviously delighted to hear the news from Ballydoyle that City Of Troy is likely to run in the Juddmonte International – obviously there’s a long way to go with horses, but to have Europe’s highest-rated three-year-old being aimed at our flagship race is great,” said Derby.

“We have a record prize fund this year of £1.2million and it’s hugely exciting, it’s looking like an absolute cracker.

“City Of Troy has that mercurial potential to join the likes of Sea The Stars and Frankel, two of the great winners of the race. We all saw what he did in the Betfred Derby, he obviously wasn’t on a going day in the Guineas, but he won the Eclipse like Sea The Stars did ahead of coming to the Knavesmire and it will be fascinating to see how he performs if he comes.

“It has also been confirmed this morning that Durezza, who won the Japanese St Leger last year, is heading our way with Christophe Lemaire due to ride him, so to have the best two jockeys in the world in Christophe and Ryan Moore taking each other on is something very exciting for us and all race fans.”

Derby has been at the helm at for over 20 years now, and has seen some great renewals of the race.

“My first Juddmonte was 2003, Falbrav won it and then in 2005 Electrocutionist just touched of Zenno Rob Roy, he was the last Grade One winner from Japan we had and Electrocutionist went on to win the Dubai World Cup the following March,” he said.

“It was the world’s highest-rated race with Frankel in 2012 and again with Ghaiyyath in 2020 and a top 10 race last year. It’s our flagship race, the best we stage and the richest so we’re delighted City Of Troy and Durezza have it on their radar.

He added: “Ticket sales are good for the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, we’re really looking forward to it. We’re putting finishing touches to our southern end development which was soft launched at the John Smith’s Cup meeting and the feedback was positive.” 

Economics could head straight to either the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano or the Juddmonte International next month, with trainer William Haggas admitting the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday week might come too soon for his brilliant Dante winner.

The Night Of Thunder colt was a stunning six-length victor in York’s recognised Derby trial in the spring and with connections quickly ruling out an appearance in the premier Classic at Epsom, Haggas has kept his cards close to his chest and his powder dry for the second half of the season.

The York Stakes, run over the Dante course and distance, was previously mooted as a potential comeback target – but Haggas may now delay Economics’ return until next month, with a trip to France or a belated return to York for a potential clash with City Of Troy both under consideration.

“He’s on schedule, he’s in work and we’re very happy with him,” the trainer said on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast on Wednesday morning.

“I’m not sure whether we’re going to make York next Saturday – we could do with another week.

“Deauville is coming now, so if we don’t make next Saturday at York – and he’ll work at the weekend – we’ll either go to Deauville or the Juddmonte, we haven’t made that decision.

“He’s won a Group Two, so the options are the Guillaume d’Ornano, which is a mile-and-a-quarter Group Two with no penalty, or the Juddmonte, where there is obviously no penalty.

“I don’t think he needs to go for the Rose of Lancaster at Haydock with a penalty, I don’t think that’s necessary, but it’s possible – everything’s possible, as I’ve said all along.

“The most important thing is getting the horse at his best and then we can run him wherever.”