Delacroix and Ombudsman, Final Chapter in a Spectacular British Champions Day

In his final start, Coolmore’s superstar will once again take on the world’s top-rated horse, according to the international rankings

Ombudsman (left) and Delacroix (right) will face each other once again / SANDOWN PARK

BERKSHIRE, England (Special for Turf Diario) – The QIPCO British Champions Day, which will bring the European season to a close this Saturday, October 18, at Ascot, is shaping up as one to remember. Center stage will belong to another renewal of the G1 Champion Stakes, the third showdown of the year between Delacroix and Ombudsman, the world’s top-rated horse.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Delacroix arrives at the peak of his powers, looking to sign off with a career-defining performance. In July, the son of Dubawi produced a devastating late surge to capture the G1 Coral-Eclipse, running down Ombudsman in the final strides. Weeks later, the tables turned in the G1 Juddmonte International at York, where Godolphin’s standard-bearer prevailed by 3 1/2 lengths in what O’Brien later described as “a bit of a farce,” owing to the tactical and somewhat muddled nature of the race.

Any lingering questions about Delacroix’s true class were emphatically answered in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes, where the dark bay turned in a brilliant display to defeat Anmaat (Awtaad), the 2024 Champion Stakes hero, confirming his standing among the world’s elite.

“We’ve taken our time with him since then, always with this race in mind,” O’Brien told reporters. “Everyone wants to see the best horses meet on the big days, in fair, competitive races. That’s what makes this sport great.”

The Irish trainer, who will send out 11 runners across the card, believes the more mature version of Delacroix will make his presence felt at Ascot. “He came out of the Irish Champion really well. We’ve kept him fresh and let him continue to progress. Hopefully we get a truer-run race than at York, where nothing went as planned. If the race unfolds properly, I think Delacroix can go out with a big performance.”

The task, however, is formidable. Under the expert care of Charlie Appleby, Ombudsman has been the benchmark of excellence throughout the season. His turn of foot and relentless consistency have kept him atop the world rankings, and his goal now is to close out the year reaffirming that dominance against a rival who’s already proven capable of beating him.

Beyond the headline act, British Champions Day offers a program stacked with quality. O’Brien will also rely on Stay True (Galileo) in the G1 Long Distance Cup and The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while Andrew Balding will look to repeat the feat with Kalpana (Study of Man) in the G1 Fillies & Mares Stakes, and take another shot at the Champion Stakes with Almeric (Study of Man) and Fox Legacy (Lope de Vega).

Across the Channel, Jerome Reynier brings French firepower with Lazzat (Territories), a standout during Royal Ascot, and the ever-reliable Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) for the QEII, both aiming to uphold the Gallic tradition on Britain’s biggest stage.

But all eyes will be on Delacroix’s final curtain call. Awaiting him is Ombudsman, the rival who defined his greatness. Two titans, one majestic stage, and a single question hanging over Ascot: will it be O’Brien’s disciple’s perfect farewell—or another emphatic statement from the world’s best horse?