Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes
 arbitrage betting
Group 1, Leopardstown 15:25
€1,250,000 guaranteed,
3yo plus,
1m 2f, Class 1    
Saturday 13th September 2025

SureWIn

1 Delacroix 2/1F
2 Anmaat 4/1
3 Royal Champion 18/1
8 ran Distances: ¾l, 2¼l, 1¼l
Time: 2m 4.69s (fast by 0.91s)

Christophe Soumillon has produced a masterclass in patience and precision, steering Delacroix to a storming victor—a triumph that adds yet another glittering chapter to Aidan O’Brien’s storied record in the race.

The Derby disappointment has thrived since dropping back to 10 furlongs, dazzling in the Coral-Eclipse earlier this summer and now rebounding in style from his Juddmonte International defeat to claim a second Group One of the campaign. Booked for the ride in Ryan Moore’s absence, Soumillon was in no hurry on the 2-1 favourite, tucking Delacroix among a rearward quartet with Anmaat, White Birch and Zahrann while stablemate Mount Kilimanjaro dictated from the front.

As the field straightened for home, the race transformed in an instant. Soumillon nudged Delacroix forward and, with a devastating burst inside the final quarter mile, swept past the leaders to seize control. Chris Hayes urged Anmaat to close, but the damage was already done: Delacroix’s electric acceleration carried him three-quarters of a length clear, handing O’Brien a record-extending 13th win in the showpiece.

“He’s some horse to quicken. He did the same in Sandown, he’s so quick,” said O’Brien.

“We knew York was only a sprint down the straight really.

“It was an even, strong-run race. He was very confident on him and took his time on him. When he said go, he just took off.

“It was a solid race, he was happy, he obviously had a little bit to do on him but when he said go on him, you could see the quickness he has.

“What he did in Sandown was very unusual, you don’t see horses do that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse do what he did in Sandown and he did it again today.

“He ran there, when you said go he was gone. In two strides it was over. He wasn’t there and next thing he was gone. He looked like he wasn’t in the picture and next thing he was in front.

“The lads can decide what they want to do. He has all the options.”

Delacroix’s pedigree—by Dubawi out of the brilliant Tepin—only heightens his value to Coolmore. When pressed on whether this might have been the colt’s farewell appearance, O’Brien admitted: “It could be. I can’t tell you how important he is.

“We saw what he could do in Sandown and no one believed it but they’ve seen again today.

“He has all the options, he could go back to a mile. He powered out of the gates and was there cantering and Christophe took him back and let him relax and then he was back a little bit.

“All the things are open to him but I’m afraid to say in case the lads say ‘that’s the end’, which is very possible, but it mightn’t be.

“He’s a hardy customer, he’s not for kids. You saw him at the press day, he’s like a big tiger. He’s not simple, he’s just hardy. He’s so far from a wimp. You saw that day, he’ll go up and he’ll bring you with him but he’s very genuine, you can see his head out and down.”

O’Brien also saluted Soumillon’s big-race temperament: “Christophe is a world-class big-race jockey. That’s what makes him different, he didn’t mind.

“He was back a lot further than I’d say he thought he was going to be. Incredible.”

For Soumillon, the victory reinforced Delacroix’s star credentials and set up a tantalising rematch at Ascot with Ombudsman. He told Racing TV: “For Aidan’s team and Coolmore it was important to show how good that horse is.

“I think today everybody was like myself and a bit amazed. Each time I have seen his races he has had a flat spot, but today he was cruising all the way and when I came to the inside he passed everybody in three strides and I was like ‘oh, maybe I have come too soon’, but Aidan’s horses are really tough and they know their job.

“Softer ground will be no problem to him, so that leaves a lot (of options) for the end of the season. I think he can still perform just a bit better (still), we know the next step will probably be the Champion Stakes in Ascot, that is down to the trainer and the team (but) that looks to be the logical (race).

“We will have a nice fight (as in boxing) in four weeks’ time or a bit more, another big fight in Ascot. He’s a superstar and that’s what we love in racing. I remember Galileo and Fantastic Light fighting here and in Ascot. That’s what people want, to make sure they know who is best. That’s what we need in racing.”

Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)
1m 2f, €1,250,000 guaranteed
8 ran
Going: Good to Yielding

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (8)    Delacroix 3 9-3 A P O'Brien Christophe Soumillon 2/1F
2 (3) ¾ Anmaat 7 9-9 Owen Burrows Chris Hayes 4/1
3 (7) 2¼ Royal Champion 4 7 9-9 K R Burke Clifford Lee 18/1
4 (6) 1¼ Hotazhell 3 9-3 Mrs John Harrington Shane Foley 18/1
5 (5) ½ White Birch 5 9-9 John Joseph Murphy Dylan Browne McMonagle 13/2
6 (1) 2¾ Shin Emperor 4 9-9 Yoshito Yahagi Ryusei Sakai 4/1
7 (2) 3 Zahrann 3 9-3 J P Murtagh Ben Coen 11/2
8 (4) 6½ Mount Kilimanjaro 3 9-3 A P O'Brien Ronan Whelan 50/1

Odds catcher