By Zdin
Copyright tnp
DUBLIN Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix returned to Leopardstown in triumph, recording an easy success in the €1.25 million (S$1.88 million) Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2,000m) on Sept 13.
The son of Dubawi disappointed in the Group 1 Epsom Derby (2,400m) behind stablemate Lambourn, but he defeated the John and Thady Gosden-trained Ombudsman in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (2,000m).
The three-year-old was disappointing when beaten 3½ lengths by the same rival in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (2,000m) at his second-last start on Aug 20.
With the absence of Ombudsman, Delacroix was unrivalled in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Delacroix (Christophe Soumillon, $19) easily motored past his rivals in the closing stages to record a ¾-length success over Anmaat (Chris Hayes), with Royal Champion (Clifford Lee) a further 2¼ lengths back in third.
“He’s so quick. It was an even, strong run race. He (Soumillon) took his time but when he said go, he took off,” said O’Brien.
“I don’t know (where he’d run next). He could go back to a mile, he powers out of the gates.
“I think all options are open to him and I’m afraid to say, just in case the lads say he should be retired.”
Delacroix is out of champion mare Tepin, who was a multiple Grade 1 winner in America and successful in the 2016 Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1,600m) at Royal Ascot. RACING AND SPORTS
