Delacroix provides O'Brien with 13th Irish Champion Stakes Aidan O’Brien landed the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes for a 13th time as Delacroix took the €1,250,000 feature of the Irish Champions Festival in decisive fashion at Leopardstown. The superbly bred son of Dubawi showed an impressive turn of foot to lead entering the straight and following a pattern throughout the afternoon, Christophe Soumillon brought him towards the stands’ side rail. The 2/1 favourite kept on strongly inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length from Anmaat, with Royal Champion a further two and a quarter lengths away in third. O’Brien said, “He’s some horse to quicken. He did the same in Sandown, he’s so quick. 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, but 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. “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.” When asked if that could be it for him he added,“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 it 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 him 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.” On the pressure on Soumillon today he added, “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.” Soumillon said, “He was a bit naughty in the gates, and I was lucky to have some help to keep him calm. “He jumped out really fast but when I saw the pace was on, I preferred to give him a chance and got some cover. “He travelled so well to the turn, and he reacted so well when I pushed the button. “I saw Chris (Hayes) coming late but my horse is a superstar. He loves that ground. “When we walked on the track today, Aidan gave me some good tips and it worked quite well.” O’Brien and Soumillon were completing a treble on the day having also successfully teamed up with juveniles Diamond Necklace and Benvenuto Cellini. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
