**Talking Horses | City Of Troy on the Brink of Legendary Status at Breeders’ Cup** The highly regarded trainer has labeled City Of Troy as the "best I've trained," but the colt faces a formidable challenge to validate that claim. Historically, before the rise of international football teams, racehorses often served as symbols of national pride and ambition. Take Gladiateur, for instance, the first French-bred winner of the Epsom Derby in 1865, who was celebrated as “the avenger of Waterloo.” Even today, the connection between racing and national identity remains strong. On Saturday at 14:41 Pacific Time (21:41 GMT in London and Dublin, 05:41 Japan Standard Time on Sunday in Tokyo), the eyes of millions of racing enthusiasts worldwide will be fixed on Del Mar in Southern California. They will witness a two-minute spectacle as City Of Troy, this year’s Derby champion, lines up against 13 competitors in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This race features champions from three continents, and for City Of Troy, it represents a daunting away challenge. He aims to achieve an unprecedented feat: no turf Derby winner has ever triumphed in the Classic, which is run on dirt. Moreover, he is the only horse in the lineup without prior experience on this surface. The intense pace, the kickback from the dirt, and the quick starts of his rivals will present a relentless test from the very beginning. There will be no opportunity for him to ease into the race or catch his breath mid-way through.

Ascot is preparing for Britain's richest day of horse racing, with a staggering £4 million in prize money up for grabs. While this year's Champions Day may not have the same allure as Frankie Dettori's emotional farewell last year, there are signs that the excitement from that unforgettable event still resonates with fans. Last year's Champions Day attracted a sell-out crowd of 30,369, drawn in by Dettori's likely last appearance at his beloved track, where he clinched victory in the Champion Stakes. This year, the event will serve as a test of whether the magic of that day can continue to draw spectators. Encouragingly, early indicators suggest that many who witnessed Dettori's spectacular send-off are eager to return. Attendance for last year's event saw a remarkable 27% increase compared to the previous year, following a record low of 23,872 in 2022. Current pre-sales indicate that around 28,000 fans are expected to flock to Ascot, ready to witness the thrilling races and the distribution of the impressive prize money.