Metropolis of Troy was by no means in rivalry as Sierra Leone received the Breeders’ Cup Traditional on the Del Mar monitor in California.
The Derby winner had been geared toward a wonderful farewell within the prestigious US race which carries a handbag of $7m (£5.4m), making it the richest horse race in North America.
However he struggled in his first race on filth as Sierra Leone got here from method again to clinch victory on the scenic coastal monitor in San Diego.
The early leaders set a fast tempo and the 6-1 shot rallied previous the 5-2 favorite Fierceness within the last stretch.
That gave French jockey Flavien Prat his sixth Breeders’ Cup win total and coach Chad Brown his nineteenth, whereas Japan’s Endlessly Younger, which closed at 4-1, was third with the Frankie Dettori-ridden Newgate fourth.
Ridden by Ryan Moore, Metropolis of Troy in the end completed eighth in his final race earlier than a breeding profession having claimed seven wins from 9 races.
His Irish coach Aidan O’Brien mentioned: “He was left firstly the place he misplaced three lengths and we did not have him ready to interrupt shortly sufficient. We thought we had, however we hadn’t. He was making up floor on the finish, however Ryan had no likelihood.
“He impressed us as a horse that might do effectively within the Traditional. If you get again that far on a dust floor, you may’t do something about it.”
O’Brien remains to be in search of his first Traditional win after 18 makes an attempt with 15 completely different horses, along with his closest effort coming 24 years in the past when Big’s Causeway was edged out by Tiznow.
“We’re studying on a regular basis,” added O’Brien, 55. “Hopefully we’ll strive tougher subsequent 12 months.”
Sierra Leone had misplaced narrowly in his final 4 races together with the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
“I am so blissful for the horse as a result of he is come up brief a couple of instances,” mentioned coach Chad Brown.
“He is been so constant and he is such an trustworthy horse, among the finest I’ve ever had.”
