Breeders’ Cup Basic: Sierra Leone wins to disclaim Metropolis of Troy superb farewell


Metropolis of Troy was by no means in competition as Sierra Leone received the Breeders’ Cup Basic on the Del Mar observe in California.

The Derby winner had been aimed toward an excellent 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 grime as Sierra Leone got here from manner again to clinch victory on the scenic coastal observe in San Diego.

The early leaders set a fast tempo and the 6-1 shot rallied previous the 5-2 favorite Fierceness within the remaining stretch.

That gave French jockey Flavien Prat his sixth Breeders’ Cup win total and coach Chad Brown his nineteenth, whereas Japan’s Ceaselessly 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 at first 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 nicely within the Basic. Once you get again that far on a dust floor, you’ll be able to’t do something about it.”

O’Brien remains to be looking for his first Basic 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 attempt more durable subsequent yr.”

Sierra Leone had misplaced narrowly in his final 4 races together with the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

“I am so pleased 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 sincere horse, among the finest I’ve ever had.”

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