HORSERACING – WINNING trainer of the 2025 running of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes praised triumphant Delacroix as “an incredible horse” following the Group One event held Saturday at Leopardstown Racecourse in Ireland.
Delacroix gave Aidan O’Brien a record-breaking 13th win in the event, held as part of this year’s Dublin to Bahrain Race Series.
The three-year-old colt showed a brilliant turn of foot early in the home straight to kick clear of the field before going to win by three-quarters of a length from Anmaat, with Royal Champion back in third, two fine efforts from the British-trained duo.
With stable jockey Ryan Moore out injured, Christophe Soumillon deputised on board Delacroix and gave the son of Dubawi a very confident ride. Turning for home, Soumillon asked Delacroix to make up his ground on the leaders and this decisive move took him to the front and he never looked like surrendering the advantage, despite the best efforts of Anmaat to close.
The victory was Delacroix’s second Group One win of the season, after his success at Sandown Park in the Eclipse Stakes, and this time in an event consistently ranked among the top 10 races in the world
“Christophe gave him a super ride – he’s an incredible horse,” said O’Brien after the victory. “There was a strong pace and when Christophe said go it was over.
“What Delacroix did at Sandown was exceptional and he did it again today.”
Not only did the win give O’Brien thirteen victories in Leopardstown’s most prestigious race, but it was also his 17th Group One success of 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Bahrain Turf Club CEO Yusuf Buheji said, “Our warmest congratulations go to Coolmore and the connections of Delacroix following another thrilling renewal of the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.
“Once again, the race has lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s leading races.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain is proud to be associated with such a prestigious event. Through our sponsorship portfolio, our aim is to highlight the growing quality of horseracing in Bahrain, led by our own showcase race, the Group Two $1million Bahrain International Trophy.
“Our thanks once again to our hosts at Leopardstown Racecourse, who along with Horseracing Ireland, we are proud and delighted to be partners with.”
Each of the first three horses in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes receives an invitation to the 2025 running of the Bahrain International Trophy, which takes place on November 14 at Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club in Sakhir. Other entries for the 1m2f (2,000m) event close on October 1.
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