The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is the most lucrative race at the two-day US meeting, was won by Sierra Leone – seeing off Fierceness by 1 1/2 lengths, with the City Of Troy dreams dashed after the horse fluffed the start.
City Of Troy Breeders’ Cup Classic Dreams Over At The Start
It wasn’t to be for the Irish-trained City Of Troy, who had been the subject of most of the pre-Breeders’ Cup Classic talk – with this year’s Epsom Derby winner fluffing the start and trailing in 8th of the 14 runners.
As a result of his bad break from the gates, Ryan Moore was unable to get City Of Troy into the race and was always racing well off the pace in what was a fiercely-run 41st renewal of the richest race over the two-race US meeting.
City Of Troy, who also seemed to hate the kickback, will now be retired to the Coolmore stud – where horse racing fans can look forward to seeing some of his offspring in the years ahead.
While, let’s not forget the horse can bow out with a pretty impressive CV that includes G1 wins in the Dewhurst Stakes, Juddmonte International, Epsom Derby and Coral Eclipse. Winning six of his eight career starts.
Aidan O’Brien Blames Himself For Not Preparing City Of Troy Better For Breaking Out The Stalls
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Result Saw Sierra Leone Beat Fierceness
With a furious pace set by the Japanese horse Derma Sotogake, this played into the hands of Sierra Leone, who is a horse that has always finished his races off well.
Despite also racing towards the back with City Of Troy for much of the race, the more experienced dirt horse Sierra Leone wasn’t bothered by the kickback and under jockey Flavien Prat the 3 year-old began his charge down the Del Mar back straight – picking off runners.
He turned into the straight sixth travelling well and powered past his old rival Fierceness to win the $7m race on his nineth career start.
Sierra Leone As Consistent As They Come
Sierra Leone is still to finish out of the top three in all his career runs.
It was a first win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic for top US trainer Chad Brown, but the second for jockey Flavien Prat after he guided home the unbeaten Flightline back in 2022.
The 2024 Travers Stakes winner Fierceness battled on gamely to hold second with the Kentucky Derby third Forever Young running on past the Frankie Dettori-ridden Newgate for third.
Fierceness was also sent off as the favourite with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
Despite City Of Troy’s disappoint for his Coolmore owners – it wasn’t all bad as they actually also own Sierra Leone and also recently aquired the breeding rights for the runner-up Fierceness.
WATCH: Sierra Leone Winning The 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic
How Much Did Sierra Leone Win In Breeder’s Cup Classic Prize Money?
In winning the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic Sierra Leone also scooped a staggering £2,866,142 in prize money. Which is the most of offer at the meeting.
This Breeders’ Cup Classic win has taken Sierra Leone’s total career earnings to £4,735,153
2024 Breeders’ Cup Result In Full
- 1st – Sierra Leone (69/10)
- 2nd – Fierceness (14/5 fav)
- 3rd – Forever Young (14/10)
Sierra Leone Career In Numbers
- Runs: 9
- Wins: 4
- Grade One Wins: 2
- Career Earnings: £4,735,153
Last 10 Breeders’ Cup Classic Winners
- 2024 – Sierra Leone (69/10)
- 2023 – White Abarrio (13/5 fav)
- 2022 – Flightline (4/9 fav)
- 2021 – Knicks Go (16/5)
- 2020 – Authentic (9/2)
- 2019 – Vino Rosso (4/1)
- 2018 – Accelerate (9/2)
- 2017 – Gun Runner (11/4)
- 2016 – Arrogate (7/4)
- 2015 – American Pharoah (4/6 fav)
