Aidan O’Brien says Metropolis of Troy is “little question” the perfect Derby winner he has ever skilled after watching the 3-1 favorite give him a record-extending tenth victory within the race.
Final yr’s champion juvenile had earned excessive reward main into the Traditional season however there have been doubts after he light badly within the 2,000 Guineas final month.
But jockey Ryan Moore expertly guided the Irish-trained colt by the sector at Epsom earlier than bursting clear to earn his fourth win within the race by two and three-quarter lengths.
Ambiente Pleasant (9-2) was second whereas O’Brien’s Los Angeles (6-1) was third, with 25-1 shot Deira Mile ending fourth.
It was a second consecutive victory within the Derby for O’Brien, with Metropolis of Troy, like Auguste Rodin final yr, bouncing again in startling style after disappointment within the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
When requested if Metropolis of Troy was the perfect Derby winner of the ten he has now skilled, O’Brien mentioned: “Little doubt! As a result of he has the cruise, he has the stability, he quickens and he stays. I do not suppose there’s any doubt about that.”
Ballydoyle-based O’Brien, 54, added he accepts the blame for his star horse’s poor exhibiting within the 2,000 Guineas.
“Ryan gave him an unbelievable experience and I am so grateful to everybody for the work they’ve carried out,” he mentioned.
“We knew the Guineas was completely improper and I made errors coaching him, that is the underside line.
“There have been stones I did not look below. He was too recent, he was unprepared, he blew up, that is the truth. However we realized from it and knew the flexibility he had – and since then every little thing has been stunning.”
Moore admitted he didn’t know what to anticipate earlier than the race and had his work reduce out after initially being badly positioned.
Then, after discovering a route by the sector on the within, he needed to deal with a stray horse within the closing levels – Voyage had unseated jockey Pat Dobbs out of the gate.
“It was laborious to know what would occur as we speak however I used to be very positive we nonetheless had the perfect horse for the race,” Moore advised ITV.
“I can not fake we knew it might occur however we do know he has an enormous engine, he confirmed himself to be an excellent two-year-old.
“Within the Guineas we bought a couple of issues improper however it’s nice that he might come again as we speak.”
