Delacroix arrives at the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes as the clear market favourite and the horse expected to light up Leopardstown on one of Irish racing’s defining weekends.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and partnered with Christophe Soumillon, Delacroix is a three-year-old colt whose season has been built around Group 1 targets and a steady upward trajectory.
He is already a dual winner over course and distance, most notably in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown where his late acceleration proved decisive against high-class opposition.
This season, Delacroix has produced a profile typical of past Irish Champion protagonists, blending elite pedigree, tactical versatility, and the steadfast support of his championship-winning connections.
Recent trial races bolstered his credentials. In the Juddmonte International at York, Delacroix was caught in a tactical contest and finished second to Ombudsman, a defeat that some saw as more structural than talent-based.
Connections were keen to put a line through the result, emphasising his freshness and readiness for a return to Leopardstown where the expected stronger pace and familiar contours play to his strengths.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien, chasing a remarkable 13th victory in this race, noted that Delacroix is “very fresh, so we’re looking forward to Leopardstown.”
The stable’s confidence is reflected in support during antepost and overnight betting markets, with Delacroix shortening as news of rival withdrawals and jockey bookings altered the race’s expected complexion.
Boosting his Chances
Soumillon’s booking as “super-sub” for the injured Ryan Moore only boosts Delacroix’s chances.
The Frenchman’s experience in championship races worldwide, and his knack for timing late runs in big fields, fits Delacroix’s preferred racing style.
O’Brien has chosen to set the race up for him, with stablemate Mount Kilimanjaro expected to act as a pacemaker, ensuring a race that suits Delacroix’s ability to settle early and quicken off the bend.
While some rivals, especially international raider Shin Emperor and older Group 1 performers like Anmaat and White Birch, bring experience and battle-hardness, Delacroix’s tactical speed, recent form, and course expertise frame him as the colt to beat in Saturday’s feature contest.
Delacroix’s pedigree is another significant asset. He’s out of quality Group-proven stock and benefits from O’Brien’s precision planning during major race campaigns.
From conditioning at Ballydoyle to race placement, his development has reflected a strategy focused on autumn Group 1s with the Champion Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe possible future targets.
At Leopardstown, going conditions are expected to suit, with soft ground forecast likely to bring stamina to the fore, a trait Delacroix showed when outstaying Ombudsman’s challenge at Sandown earlier in the year.
Tactically, Delacroix possesses the versatility to dictate pace, track leaders, or come from behind as needed, giving Soumillon options depending on how the early fractions play out.
Not A Done Deal
One of the few negatives is the competitive nature of the Irish Champion field. Rivals include Zahrann, an unexposed three-year-old with an upward form line, and Anmaat, whose past upsets at Ascot confirm his ability to ambush favoured runners should the race develop into a tactical battle.
Shin Emperor, too, returns to Leopardstown after last year’s third-place finish and has matured following group successes in Japan and the Middle East.
White Birch arrives with solid soft-ground form and could be a danger if the pace falters or Delacroix is boxed in.
O’Brien is well aware of the depth and is preparing for a race that is likely to be run at a true championship tempo.
Despite these challenges, Delacroix’s profile among recent Irish Champion Stakes favourites is strong.
His two wins over course and distance, Group 1 form against the highest-rated European horses, and the careful structuring of his campaign offer reassurance to supporters.
The market’s endorsement, with Delacroix trading at or below 6/4 in most books, reflects both his proven record and punters’ belief in his ability to handle championship pressure.
Critically, his acceleration in the closing stages and resilience in contested finishes have won races decided by fractions, a necessary trait at Leopardstown where race tempo and field size often require split-second decisions and changes of pace.
One Eye On The Arc
The Irish Champion Stakes often signals autumn intentions for leading contenders.
Should Delacroix deliver on current expectations, he will become a major player for the Arc and the Qipco Champion Stakes, the latter being a particular target if he continues to progress and hold his form into October.
The O’Brien team’s history of guiding young talents through the rigours of summer into autumn’s biggest Group 1s sets a template Delacroix seems destined to follow.
Delacroix enters the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown with all signs pointing to a peak performance.
Recent form, tactical versatility, the confidence of world-class jockey Soumillon, and O’Brien’s mastery of championship build-ups mark him as a deserving favourite in one of Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance races.
While his rivals will bring different threats and may capitalise on any misstep, the evidence from Sandown, his pedigree, and the stability in the betting market reinforce Delacroix’s credentials as the horse most likely to secure the Irish Champion Stakes for connections in 2025.
BETFRED
