Dewhurst Stakes: Favourite City Of Troy hailed as 'our Frankel' after fine Newmarket success
Aidan O'Brien said he was the "best two-year-old I've trained" after he saddled a record-equalling eighth winner of the Group One Newmarket race.
There were concerns about running the 8-15 favourite on soft ground, but they were dispelled as Ryan Moore steered the son of Justify clear of the field.
"This horse is our Frankel," said joint owner Michael Tabor.
Frankel won the Dewhurst Stakes in 2010 - one of 14 victories in a stellar unbeaten career.
City Of Troy took the 2023 running by three and a half lengths from Alyanaabi (6-1), with 25-1 shot Eben Shaddad third.
The colt's odds were immediately cut to between evens and 5-4 for next year's 2,000 Guineas after maintaining a 100% record with the third win of his fledgling career.
"No question, he is special," added Tabor. "Let's hope he is as popular as Frankel was, but he'll only get that popularity as time goes. Hopefully as time goes on he'll win all the big races and the accolades will be given to him."
City Of Troy is now highly fancied for the Derby next June.
"We knew he would hate the ground but we have never had a horse that doesn't get tired," said O'Brien.
"Everything we have asked him to do he has found it very easy and we have never got to the bottom of him, so very unusual.
"You needed tractor tyres to go in that [soft ground] today and he hasn't got tractor tyres, but what he has got is a jet engine. So his engine just pushed him through. An incredible horse, really. The best two-year-old I have ever trained, certainly."
City of Troy made a winning debut at the Curragh in July and then blew the field away to take the Superlative Stakes by six and a half lengths later that month.
He was withdrawn from the National Stakes in September because the ground was considered too soft, but showed his ability to adapt at Newmarket.
Also at Saturday's meeting at Newmarket, The Shunter (14-1) claimed the Cesarewitch Handicap from fellow Irish challenger Pied Piper.
Ridden by James Doyle, for trainer Emmet Mullins and owner JP McManus, The Shunter was adding to a victory at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021.
