The critics were out in full force after Ryan Moore guided City of Troy's gallop at Southwell this passed Friday. It is amazing just how short-sighted some in this business can be.

"I don't think we learned much from that." (Really?!)

"It was a Tapeta Surface, not dirt." (Imagine that!!)

"He ran against low tier horses." (OMG!!)

"Thought O'Brien would have included some runners in here." (Can you believe those actual words of wisdom??!!)

"He looks like a turf horse to me." (Well, he is the Longines # 1 Turf horse in the World, so what's your point??!!)

The day at Southwell was not a race. It was a workout. A workout that went a few steps beyond every other thoroughbred in training. Rare that a horse would ever be used to full capacity in a training session to begin with, we probably only saw 1/4 of his power. But this exercise encompassed such a great deal more.

The plane ride alone just to get him there was part of the workout. Distinguishing readiness to perform after a nap on the plane and to bank more flying miles.

It may not seem like much to the untrained eye, but waking up in a stall in a familiar barn and working out on site is quite a different story than one who flies to an unfamiliar destination, to an unfamiliar surface.

The exact runners who would accompany him on that track were established for a reason. Where he was positioned (and they were positioned) on that track in the first 1/2 mile of the working session was by design.

Taking an accomplished "turf runner" down in sequential order to Tapeta and ultimately down to the dirt surface allows a much greater chance of "explosion" on the surface at hand. This is Training 101.

Gaining experience with breaking from an American Gate with the bell, allowing the sprinters to take the lead, settling inside against competition and then presenting the ability to excel with his "normal" late speed when asked to fly by retreating sprinters. All by design.

Aiden specifically wanted to see Troy break well from the gate with the cue of the bell. He also did not want the work on a "fast surface."

He wanted Troy to work harder on harder surface.

“The pace was strong. The lads purposefully had the track slower than they would ever have done - harrowed deeper. So it was always going to be more grueling than impressive." - O'Brien

Stablemates Democracy, Congo River, Master of the Hunt, and Edwardian were there for the first 4 furlongs. It was the final furlongs that Aiden was keen to see. That familiar stride, the determination, and the ease in which he still accelerated through his companions, regardless of the "harder" Tapeta surface. Well done, lads.

“We broke fast. We had two fast horses up front and then two miler-type horses in front. We knew that they’d have to go faster than him early.” - O'Brien

He wanted the four stablemates to break like wildfire from the gate, knowing that they would eventually give way on the deeper surface. Chosen for a reason.

He wanted Moore to relax him at the back of the pack without holding him back, that is why he had the sprinters and milers on that track with him. Moore would then gracefully let him loose and into his run after the initial furlongs.

He wanted to see Troy run "like a hot knife through butter" in between foes and ultimately he galloped out perfectly to the finish. This is when City of Troy is at his finest. Not early - but late. He will not show-off in an 8f workout because he is not a sprinter. The test was the finally leg of the work. The last 100 yards told the entire story.

 “That’s him always, he’s finishing. That’s when he’s always at his best. That’s always when you want a horse to be at his best. When his stride opens, it just doesn’t shorten, it keeps going and going and going."

“Ryan said when he turned in he was only waiting. When he got down past the furlong marker, he started to open up for the line." - O'Brien

Replicating race day was also enhanced by the noise of the adoring crowd and the fact that Aiden was late to the facility was also a very fortunate unforeseen aspect. City of Troy, understanding the parade and his anticipation to finally run was stretched out by an additional hour. This did not hamper a keen City of Troy, who smoothly negotiated everything that his trainer demanded.

The entire Southwell training day revolved around the final 220 to 100 yards of the deeper Tapeta workout.

It was all set up specifically to see him grind out an impressive final 1/2 to 1 furlong on a tougher surface than what he will ultimately see at DelMar.

It was set up to pass Sprinters who would eventually retreat (like Seize the Grey).

It was set up to slice through competitors approaching the final turn (like Forever Young and Derma Sotogake).

It was set up to see his acceleration in the final stretch that far surpasses those who have the distance (like Fierceness).

City of Troy is the rare horse who is built for both turf and dirt and everything in between. We have known this fact since the day after his maiden race (Sept 2023 article). The probability that he explodes on a nice fast dirt surface is absolutely enhanced after that workout. We have learned alot.

At the moment, the three year old City of Troy is ranked the Longines # 1 Turf horse in the World.

He is also only one point below the six year old dirt runner Laurel River for the # 1 Top Ranking regardless of surface.

He will be the only horse on the Classic field who attempted and dominated a 12f distance with a RPR of 125 on a grass surface who also is bred for the dirt.

His connections will bypass an easy trophy in the Breeder's Cup Turf race because they know that City of Troy has an exquisite dirt propensity, forward running with late acceleration, unmatched will and determination, trained by the best in the world and with one of the highest ranked jockeys in the world.

To witness the number one Turf horse snatch the Breeder's Cup Classic trophy on dirt would be one of the greatest accomplishments in our lifetime of following this sport.

The entire Southwell package, along with the stellar publicity it evoked is exactly what our Sport is desperately in need of. Over 1000 fans arrived at Southwell to catch a live glimpse of him, along with thousands more flooding Youtube to watch the live video.

To knock any part of it is not only naive, but it is a disgrace to the sport.

It was all about the final 100 yards and it was glorious.