Sierra Leone Triumphs in Thrilling Breeders' Cup Classic

November 4, 2024

In a spectacular finish at California's Del Mar track, Sierra Leone captured the Breeders' Cup Classic, leaving the highly anticipated favorite, City of Troy, out of contention. Originally poised for a grand farewell in the prestigious $7 million race, City of Troy struggled on the unfamiliar dirt surface and ended his racing career with a surprising eighth-place finish.

The race began with a fast pace set by the leaders, but Sierra Leone, a 6-1 contender, surged in the final stretch to pass the favored 5-2 runner Fierceness, seizing victory in the last moments. The win marked a sixth Breeders' Cup triumph for jockey Flavien Prat and the 19th for trainer Chad Brown. Japan’s Forever Young finished third, while Newgate, ridden by Frankie Dettori, took fourth place.

City of Troy’s jockey, Ryan Moore, and trainer, Aidan O'Brien, expressed disappointment, with O'Brien noting the horse lost ground at the start, making it impossible to recover on the dirt track. Despite their hopes, O'Brien continues his pursuit of a Breeders' Cup Classic win after nearly two decades of attempts.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone's trainer, Chad Brown, praised his horse's resilience. "I'm thrilled for him," Brown shared. "He's been so close in previous races, and today he showed his true spirit and consistency. He's one of the finest horses I've trained."