Delacroix Storms To Group 1 Glory In Coral-Eclipse

Delacroix (3c Dubawi – Tepin, by Bernstein) produced a late surge to provide Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore and Coolmore partners with their third consecutive win in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse.

A Group 3 winner and narrowly denied in a Group 1 as a juvenile, the Ballydoyle colt returned to win the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes and Group 3 Derby Trial this season and returned to that ten-furlong trip on Saturday. He faced five Group 1-winning rivals at Sandown, where Moore settled him towards the back of the field and faced a delayed challenge due to the lack of a clear run, before stumbling. Once in the clear, the beautifully-bred bay found another gear and swooped past his rivals to lead by a neck on the line.

“It was mind-blowing to make up that ground from where he came from,” said a delighted O’Brien. “Ryan said this week that he thinks Delacroix is a miler, whereas I always thought this was his trip, so that kept ringing in my head.

“Ryan stuck to his judgement. He kept calm and had one go at it. What a ride he gave him. It's incredible to have somebody riding with the power and confidence he has. Ryan said he had to change the plan four times during the race. There's always a plan but I dare say that was Plan Z! There was so much happening in the race but Ryan remained calm, collected and clinical.”

The trainer continued: “Ryan's always loved him, which is why he rode him in the Derby. He's just won a very good race. It's always tough when the three-year-olds meet the older horses and you need one who's a bit different to beat a horse like Ombudsman.”

O’Brien went on to recognise how Delacroix’s pedigree makes him an even more exciting prospect going forward. “I can't tell you how important he is,” he said. “The lads have been looking for a Dubawi all their life and he's out of a champion. He's a beautiful big horse with power, strength and everything you want. I am delighted for the lads that he has won.”

Delacroix is a half-brother to Group 1 heroine Grateful (Grateful), out of the top-class racemare Tepin.