Breeders' Cup Classic: Sierra Leone wins, preventing the city of Troy from having a glorious farewell

City of Troy was never in the running as Sierra Leone won the Breeders' Cup Classic at the Del Mar track in California.

The Derby winner had hoped for a glorious farewell to the prestigious US race, which is worth $7 million (£5.4 million), making it the richest horse race in North America.

But he struggled in his first race on dirt as Sierra Leone came from far back to take victory on the scenic coastal course in San Diego.

The early leader set a fast pace and the 6-1 shot overtook 5-2 favorite Fierceness in the final sprint.

This gave French jockey Flavien Prat his sixth Breeders' Cup victory and trainer Chad Brown his 19th, while Japan's Forever Young, who finished 4-1, was third and Newgate, ridden by Frankie Dettori, was fourth.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, City of Troy ultimately finished eighth in his final race before his breeding career, having claimed seven wins in nine races.

His Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien said: “He was at the start where he lost three lengths and we hadn't prepared him to break quickly enough. We thought we had, but we hadn't. He made up ground at the end, but Ryan had no chance.

“He inspired us as a horse that could do well in the Classic. When you get that far back on a dirt surface, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

O'Brien is still seeking his first Classic victory after 18 attempts with 15 different horses, with his greatest success coming 24 years ago when Giant's Causeway was edged out by Tiznow.

“We’re constantly learning,” O’Brien, 55, added. “Hopefully we’ll try harder next year.”

Sierra Leone had narrowly lost in its last four races, including the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.

“I’m so happy for the horse because he came up short a few times,” trainer Chad Brown said.

“He’s been so consistent and he’s such an honest horse, one of the best I’ve ever had.”