Coolmore ensured they claimed the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Saturday, but it was with Sierra Leone and not City Of Troy.
Nearly all of the lead-up to this season's Breeders' Cup Classic revolved around City Of Troy's bid to become Aidan O'Brien's first Classic winner, but after a slow beginning, the writing was on the wall for this year's Epsom Derby hero.
Whilst the son of Justify was on the back foot and being driven along by Ryan Moore, leading US hope Fierceness swung for home travelling well. However, after being up on the speed in a frantic early gallop, Fierceness began to sway.
The eye was soon drawn to Sierra Leone, who like City Of Troy was switched to the outside having been situated off the tempo. Flavien Prat struck the front on Sierra Leone entering the final furlong and although Fierceness did his best to battle back, he was never able to bridge the gap on the eventual winner, who provided trainer Chad Brown with his first Classic success. The winning margin was a length and a half crossing the line, with Japan's Kentucky Derby third Forever Young back in third.
In the instant aftermath, Aidan O'Brien quickly blamed himself for City Of Troy's heavy defeat, pinpointing his speed from the gates as the chief factor.
"He's grand," said a deflated yet classy O'Brien. "He was left at the start where he lost three lengths, and we didn't have him prepared to break quickly enough. We thought we had, but we hadn't. He was making up ground at the end, but Ryan had no chance.
"He inspired us as a horse that could do well in the Classic, and it was so sporting of the lads to run him in it.
"When you get back that far on a dirt surface you can't do anything about it. I should have had him coming out quicker, it just left Ryan with no chance really. I need to step it up a bit, don't I, have them a little bit better prepared. We're learning all the time. Hopefully, we'll try harder next year."
Last year's champion juvenile added to his Derby victory with successes in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International this year and will now head back to Ireland to embark on his new career as a stallion.
O'Brien added: "The lads were never afraid to push the boundaries. It's been a great privilege to train him. It was an incredible experience for us all and we will look forward to his babies now."
On the performance of the winner, Chad Brown said: "To lose a Kentucky Derby by a nose – for him to come out and show so much and be on the go since January he's a remarkable horse in soundness and mind. He's a good horse who is cooperative. He makes your job easy.
"For him to have this moment having seen what happened in the Derby and the Travers this more than makes up for it all.
"To finally get this done (win the Classic). We haven't had many runners and have just dabbled in the Classic. You never know when you will be up here again because this is the toughest race in the world.
"Fierceness is a great horse, but our horse hasn't ever thrown it in. Our horse is all consistency, for me, it's hard to see that he's not the best three-year-old."
