John Gosden is convinced City of Troy can outperform the locals in the world Breeders' Cup Classic and imprint his name in history, but only if he jumps alertly and avoids the blow.

Gosden remains one of only two European trainers to have won the Classic. He won the race with Raven's Pass in 2008, emulating Andre Fabre, who caused a massive shock with Arcangues 31 years ago.

City Of Troy is 7-4 at the top of Saturday's top event in Del Mar, but has to smartly get out of third place. When asked if the colt can fulfill Aidan O'Brien's long-standing goal, Gosden replied: “I actually spoke to Aidan about it in York. If you have a good run on the straight before the first corner, he can do that.”

“I won the mile-and-a-half race here, which used to be called the Del Mar Handicap, and when you're down on the inside you have to brake alertly because if they come over and you get the setback, that's a problem.

“With a horse like him, if you have a free run to the first corner and he makes good progress after that, then I doubt they would catch him. I think he would be superior to them. But from where it is pulled, it is a question of how carefully it jumps.

Aidan O'Brien's thong wears City Of Troy jackets at Del Mar Credit: Edward Whitaker

Explaining the challenges of transitioning from turf to dirt, Gosden said: “I’ve had a lot of good turf horses. You put them on the dirt and they could work and change a mile in 1.36 seconds. Then in the afternoon they got the setback and.” They lose their rhythm because they're not used to so much dirt hitting them in the face. Ryan (Moore) will be very aware of the need to try to avoid this scenario, but that's easier said than done.

“But is he the best horse in terms of quality? Yes, he is.”

Gosdens Emily UpjohnFor many it is the best horse in the world Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday. She will meet Frankie Dettori for the first time in just over a year and was drawn in box two, the same gate as Enable when she won six years ago.

Gosden isn't afraid to take on the stallions, having had the option on the Filly & Mare Turf, and will be hoping she can handle the tight corners of Del Mar after handling Wolverhampton on her debut a few years ago.

Frankie Dettori catches up with John Gosden after riding Emily Upjohn on the grass fieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: “She just had a lovely, relaxed look today and she really enjoyed it. We'll probably do a little more tomorrow. We run in the turf because she wants a mile and a half. A mile and a half.” Half a lap here is like running two and a half miles in Europe. It's steep, it's fast, it's fast terrain, three corners, short straights, so she needs every inch.

“Their form is solid. They are very good horses (against them) and you have a former Breeders' Cup winner, a good Japanese horse, top horses from Ireland. We know it's good, but this is their best distance.” There's no harm in competing against the colts, but it was more the nature of the course and the distance that made Frankie and I take them over the mile and a half to let it run.

Gosden feels his former pal Dettori is loving his new life in the States. He said: “Frankie is in as good shape as ever. I think he's enjoying it here. He was tired of all the traveling and being on the move back home and all the traffic in Britain. Let's be honest, he really enjoyed it.” the big races on the weekends at the big meets. It was the everyday things that he didn't do.

“Jockeys don’t ride here every day. People underestimate how tough it is for jockeys in Britain and Ireland. They ride seven days a week. You can ride an all-weather track at 8:30 at night and then come home when it's dark and you get up at 5 a.m. to go to work. The same applies in summer too.

“The workload of jockeys in our country is far too high. They are phenomenal athletes and many of them are unable to eat or drink normal amounts. You can no longer sweat at the races. I think they really made it through, really difficult time and that is underestimated by our authorities.

Breeders' Cup Turf (9.01 Del Mar, Saturday)

Coral: 11-4 Rebel's Romance, 3 Emily Upjohn, 5 Jayarebe, 7 Luxembourg, 9 Wingspan, 10 Shahryar, 11 Far Bridge, 12 Rousham Park, 33 Gold Phoenix, 50 Cabo Spirit, 66 El Encinal, Grand Sonata, 100 There Goes Harvard

Breeders' Cup Classic (9:41 a.m. Del Mar, Saturday)

Coral: 7-4 City Of Troy, 7-2 Fierceness, 6 Forever Young, 9 Sierra Leone, 10 Ushba Tesoro, 16 Highland Falls, 20 Arthur's Ride, Next, Tapit Trice, 25 Newgate, Derma Sotogake, 33 Pyrenees, 40 Senor Buscador, 50 Mixto, 100 Rattle N Roll

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The 2024 Breeders' Cup begins Friday at Del MarCredit: Edward Whitaker

Read more:

David Jennings Diary: Want to know how I ended up pulling teeth with Ryan Moore? Here is my exchange with the City Of Troy driver

“You want to see him come here and get the job done” – Notable Speech leads Charlie Appleby's powerful Breeders' Cup team

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