AS City of Troy returned to the winner’s enclosure after sealing another special moment in the illustrious history of York Racecourse, Tina Turner’s Simply The Best was the choice of music to be played across the public address system.

The debate will inevitably rage among racing historians as to where the three-year-old bay colt ranks in the pantheon of greats after he added the Juddmonte International to the Epsom Derby, the Coral Eclipse and the Dewhurst Stakes in dominant fashion.

Indeed, few would argue his front-running victory over gallant French raider Calandagan could compare with Frankel’s breathtaking triumph in the same race in 2012.

Nevertheless, trainer Aidan O’Brien was quick to agree that City of Troy is the best he’s ever trained – and that’s quite an accolade.

“Everything he’s done from the day we trained him suggested that – he was the most special horse we ever had,” acknowledged a man who is certainly in the running to be among the best trainers of all time.

Only a shocking flop in the  2,000 Guineas, which was clearly too bad to be true, has blotted City of Troy’s copybook.

And the fact that he finished York's richest race in 0.97 seconds under Sea The Stars’ course record further underlines his special talent.

Moore has never been the most excitable of riders and his assessment – “I think he’s shown he’s a good horse” – was the understatement of the day.

In contrast, City of Troy’s groom, David Hickey, couldn’t hold back his emotions: shedding tears of joy, and planting kisses on the horse’s handsome head as the cheers rang out.

York racegoers are as knowledgeable and appreciative as any in the world, and they knew they were witnessing another piece of sporting history to add to a magnificent collection of Knavesmire memories.

It was certainly another day for O’Brien and his brilliant stable jockey Ryan Moore to remember as City of Troy completed a spectacular treble, following the victories of Los Angeles in the Great Voltigeur Stakes, and The Lion In Winter in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.

Los Angeles was initially quoted at 5-2 for the St Leger after toughing it out to hold off stablemate Illionois by a neck, though O’Brien, who has an embarrassment of riches for the final classic, insisted there is no guarantee that the Irish Derby hero will line up at Doncaster.

“He’s a straightforward horse who has plenty of options,” said O’Brien, who predicted that he would be an even better four-year-old when he fills his “massive” frame.

The Lion In Winter looked another potential superstar to roll off the Coolmore production line after smashing the track record in powering clear of Wimbledon Hawkeye and Godolphin’s hot favourite, Ruling Court.

After his impressive victory, the Sea The Stars colt leapt to favouritism for both the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby.

“You’d have to be very impressed with him – you’d have to like everything he’s doing at the moment,” said his genius of a trainer.

The Lion In Winter may well be a star in the making, but today was surely the day City of Troy finally silenced the doubters and earned legendary status ahead of a likely tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Whatever happens in America, it is now simply undeniable that the son of Justify is up there with the best.