Stevens backing Troy to conquer Classic rivals

Former weighing room star is expecting Breeders’ Cup fireworks from O’Brien runner.

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That is a mantra that ultimately worked for Gary Stevens in pursuit of the elusive Breeders’ Cup Classic victory he craved.

It took the Hall of Fame rider 15 attempts to get his hands on the Breeders’ Cup showpiece and he can fully empathise with Aidan O’Brien’s so far fruitless quest to end his own Classic hoodoo as he prepares to saddle the all-conquering City Of Troy at Del Mar.

Stevens had resigned himself to the fact the Classic would forever elude him after hanging up his saddle for a second time in 2005, with the 1993 defeat of Bertrando by French raider Arcangues epitomising the American’s fortunes in the 10-furlong event.

However, he would finally collect the final piece of his career jigsaw, heroically returning to the saddle in 2013 and going on to form a winning partnership with Kathy Ritvo’s Mucho Macho Man as the duo stormed to Classic victory at Santa Anita that same year.

“The Classic is a great race and going way, way back I was second on Bertrando, it was a race I had several seconds and a race I didn’t have on my mantlepiece at home, but so wanted,” said Stevens.

“I thought it just wasn’t meant to be when Andre Fabre’s Arcangues beat me at huge odds. I was coming through the stretch and I see a shadow and I’m thinking ‘who the heck could this be’ and being honest, I didn’t know what horse it was when he passed me except it was ridden by Jerry Bailey. I realised it was the French horse and Arcangues and I was thinking ‘oh my god’.

“When I came out of retirement and was able to win it on Mucho Macho Man, it was finally meant to be.”

Stevens had already had a taste of the silver screen long before getting his own Hollywood moment aboard Mucho Macho Man, with the Idaho native receiving critical acclaim for his portrayal of jockey George Woolf in the 2003 movie Seabiscuit.

Gary Stevens had a long career in the saddle
Gary Stevens had a long career in the saddle (Fiona Hanson/PA)

However, Stevens predicts City Of Troy will be receiving the plaudits in California, with the 61-year-old confident the Irish raider is the “real deal” and ready to go where no O’Brien horse has gone before and end the Ballydoyle trainer’s long losing streak in the race.

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s Classic and I think that Aidan O’Brien is finally going to get his first Classic win,” said Stevens.

“I really think he has the right horse this time, he was unlucky with Giant’s Causeway and that was a great race against Tiznow and Mick (Kinane) had some troubles through the stretch with Giant’s Causeway losing his balance a bit.

“I’ve been following City Of Troy’s career closely and I loved what he did at Southwell. I know he was working with what was potentially a B team – if there is such a thing at Aidan O’Brien’s – but I loved the way they set it up with the fast pace and what Ryan (Moore) did.

City Of Troy and trainer Aidan O'Brien (left)
City Of Troy and trainer Aidan O’Brien (left) (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)

“I think he learned a hell of a lot during that gallop and over here on this side of the pond, a lot of people are sceptical but I think he is the real deal. I think he is going to enjoy the dirt surface with the way he moves and he can jump out well.

“We’ll know within the first half mile what the outcome is going to be I’m sure, and if he jumps well, he is forwardly placed. All the major work has been done and it’s just a case of him getting over and hoping everything goes well for him.

“It’s by far the race I’m most looking forward to this year, which it should be. It’s called the Classic for a reason.”

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