Duffield is a City fan as Troy takes on Eclipse challenge
‘I thought he was impressive in the Derby and I think he could be more impressive in the Eclipse’.
George Duffield knows a thing or two about the Coral-Eclipse and is backing City Of Troy to impress at Sandown on Saturday. The 77-year-old twice found the scoresheet in the Esher Group One, firstly aboard Environment Friend for James Fanshawe in 1991 and then nine years later when called up by Aidan O’Brien to partner the ‘Iron Horse’, Giant’s Causeway. Duffield – who also won the Racing Post Trophy aboard Aristotle for O’Brien – regards riding for the master of Ballydoyle as one of the privileges of his career and cannot see past City of Troy in this weekend’s 10-furlong event. He said: “I think he’s a very good horse, City Of Troy. I think he will take a lot of beating in the Eclipse.“I think Ryan Moore gave him an unbelievable ride in the Derby and if that was me, I would have been panicking I was a lot further back than I wanted to be. “I think Ryan thought ‘I’m a long way behind here and I’ve got to creep’ and then luckily it has opened up like the Red Sea. The horse got him out of trouble a bit – when you are riding a Group One horse and are somewhere you don’t want to be, the horse gets you out of trouble. “I thought City Of Troy was impressive and I think he could be more impressive in the Eclipse. I don’t think you have seen the very best of him yet. I think he is a really good horse. “I thought he was a very impressive two-year-old, he looked a natural and he looked like he knew the job inside out.”
🏆 That’s how you bounce back in style!
City of Troy wins the Betfred Derby#ITVRacing | #EpsomDerby pic.twitter.com/yKzYaTykeQ — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 1, 2024
⭐ Giant’s Causeway ⭐
The Iron Horse ran in 9 Group 1 races in 2000, with his form in them being 221111122. His Coral-Eclipse victory was among the highlights. 📺 Don’t miss Saturday’s renewal live on Racing TV.#RTVFlashback | @Sandownpark | @Coral pic.twitter.com/qweci7ymGm — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 5, 2023
James Fanshawe recalls his @Coral-Eclipse winner, ENVIRONMENT FRIEND and how much of a key role he has played in his career 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XYXVmQMmR7
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) June 25, 2024
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