2024 Breeders' Cup Classic Result and Replay - City Of Troy well beaten as Sierra Leone strikes at Del Mar

The ITV Racing cameras pitched up at Del Mar on Saturday to witness City Of Troy's date with destiny.

Having enjoyed a dominant campaign on the turf in Europe, winning the Epsom Derby, the Coral-Eclipse and the Juddmonte International, Aidan O'Brien switched City Of Troy to the dirt for the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic. Ballydoyle have been searching for a stallion with Group One wins on both surfaces for some time now and O'Brien had said in the build-up that City Of Troy is the best colt he's ever trained.

City Of Troy was weak in the world pool market in the lead-up to Saturday's feature. When the stalls burst open, Todd Pletcher's Fierceness - who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last term and made all to score in three Grade Ones during 2024 - was the favourite. Japanese raider and Kentucky Derby third, Forever Young also jumped ahead of O'Brien's raider in the betting before the off.

Chad Brown was represented by multiple Grade One placer Sierra Leone. Arthur's Ride and Highland Falls were expected to accompany the front-running Fierceness in the early stages.

Frankie Dettori partnered with Newgate for Bob Baffert. Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake bolstered the Japanese challenge, with Next, Tapit Trice, Pyrenees, Mixto and Senor Buscador also featuring in the Classic field.

Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore were praying for a fast start for City Of Troy, but they didn't get it. The European raider was outpaced from the get-go and settled for a spot near the rear, as Dermo Sotogake and Mixto set a fast early pace.

Fierceness was positioned behind the early leaders, with Highland Falls and Forever Young for company. Sierra Leone, who usually sits last, was more prominent on this occasion, bringing up the rear in the leading pack.

After a red-hot first half mile, Ryan Moore was already scrubbing along on City Of Troy, in an attempt to roust a response from O'Brien's star. Going into the final bend, Fierceness took the race by the scruff of the neck, moving into a clear lead.

Forever Young was angled out off the rail and set off in pursuit. Sierra Leone was on the scene too, and Chad Brown's star loomed up on the shoulder of Fierceness as the leaders straighened for home.

As Forever Young drifted over towards the stands rail, Sierra Leone began to pull away from Fierceness. With City Of Troy and Ryan Moore well beaten, Flavien Prat punched the air as Sierra Leone finally had his big day!