Coral-Eclipse: Delacroix denies Ombudsman in Sandown thriller

It was a record-extending ninth victory for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Group One Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park today as Delacroix (3-1) came out on top in a truly dramatic finish. 

O’Brien also created history today by becoming the first handler to saddle three consecutive winners of the Group One 10-furlong contest, which was being run with a record prize fund of fund of £1-million in 2025 – the 50th year of sponsorship by Coral.

Similarly Ryan Moore, who was riding his fifth Coral-Eclipse winner in total, becomes the first jockey to win the Coral-Eclipse winner three years in succession.

A son of Dubawi, Delacroiz had disappointed behind stablemate Lambourn when a well-beaten ninth in the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs last month. In today’s contest, the Dubawi colt looked to have it all to do turning for home but came with a great late run to deny 6-4 Favourite Ombudsman by a neck with a length and three-quarters back to Betfred 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in third.

Ryan Moore said: “It was far from simple. I wanted to go forward but got caught in a pocket and was a long way back.

“So, I had to wait and go around them. He showed a very good turn of foot and got up to beat a very good horse. 

“He is a Dubawi. He didn’t like Epsom but is out of a great racemare (Tepin) and had a superior turn of foot today.”

Moore’s previous Coral-Eclipse wins came with Notnowcato (2006), St Mark's Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy (2024).

Aidan O’Brien had triumphed previously with Giant's Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002), Oratorio (2005), Mount Nelson (2008), So You Think (2011), St Mark's Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy (2024).

After Delacroix’s success today, the master of Ballydoyle said: “All credit to the team and Ryan gave him an incredible ride. 

“He (Ryan) said he changed his plans four times! Going out, he said he was happy to make the running and he wasn’t the only one who had that on his mind. It just kept changing.

“But Ryan did say to me that Delacroix is a very fast horse and he wouldn’t be surprised if he is a miler. So, I knew what was inside Ryan’s head and I had a fair idea what he was thinking but he did say that four times he changed his plans.

“I am always surprised when we win any race but I always leave it to Ryan. It’s incredible and I am so delighted. 

“They went, then they steadied and then they went again. It was very difficult for Ryan but it was a masterful ride.

“Christophe (Soumillon) was delighted with Camille Pissarro (4th). He said he is fast and probably a miler. He is a classy horse and found the mile and a quarter today tougher for him.

“I can’t tell you how important Delacroix is. The lads (owners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and John Magnier) have been looking for a Dubawi all their life and he is out of a champion. He is a total outcross for all the mares and has power and strength – a beautiful big horse.”

John Gosden, who trains the runner-up Ombudsman jointly with his son Thady, commented: “We thought Delacroix would go forward and the French horse (Sosie, 6th) would sit handy but of course it’s all happened the other way round. That happens in small fields and it didn’t turn out the way we thought.

“He (Ombudsman) has run a wonderful race. We were trapped rather wide, got close to the pace and Delacroix has then come and run as down late.

“It was one of those kind of races with a small field that can get messy but full marks to the winner who has gone and outstayed the lot of them.”

Charlie Appleby, who saddled the third Ruling Court, said: “Ten furlongs is his trip. 

“Of course, you want to go out there and win but I came today think if he finished third in a race of this calibre then I would take a lot of positives from it. It was a race none of us expected to run quite like that and it wasn’t our plan to be where we were.

“One thing I will say is we know where we are going now with him – 10 furlongs. He will go to Deauville for now the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.

“He has done nothing wrong and never been out of the first three on his career. Hopefully, next year we will be working back from the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.”

Coral-Eclipse Day began with the five-furlong Coral Charge, which saw Rumstar (11-2) defy a 3lb penalty. Successful on his seasonal return the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, the five-year-old overhauled Irish raider She’s Quality inside the final furlong to take the honours by three-quarters of a length under Rob Hornby in the Group Three contest.

Winning trainer Jonathan Portman said: “It’s fantastic to see him get his head back in front. Like for any sprinter, everything needs to go just right on the day. I don’t think he liked Haydock and at Royal Ascot he got in front a bit too soon. He was also drawn wide and it just didn’t work out for him.

“We made a conscious decision to hang on to him today come through. That is very risky at Sandown as you often don’t get that run and meet traffic but Rob found thar gap and rode him to perfection. He know the horse well and loves him as much as I do.

“We deliberately didn’t entered in the King George at Goodwood as I just though five furlongs there in that Grade might be a bit sharp for him. I am not sure where we will go next. We may have to step up to six furlongs where there are more options although I would prefer to stay at five.” 

Classic (6-1) made all to land the big handicap of the day, the £125,000 Coral Challenge over a mile. Partnered by Sean Levey, the Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old came home a length and three-quarters to the good over Arisaig (18-1).

The Listed Coral Distaff, staged over a mile for three-year-old fillies, went to 2-1 Favourite Blue Bolt (Andrew Balding/Colin Keane).