The Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on July 5, 2025, was anticipated to be a showcase of tactical brilliance and equine talent, but for trainer Aidan O’Brien, it turned into a frustrating display of misjudged strategy. The renowned Ballydoyle trainer, celebrated for his record nine victories in the prestigious Group 1 race, was left seething after his colt Delacroix, ridden by Ryan Moore, was outmaneuvered and dominated by horses setting the pace. O’Brien’s uncharacteristic outburst, labeling his own tactics as “stupid,” has sparked widespread discussion in the racing world, highlighting the fine margins that define success at this elite level.

Delacroix, a son of Dubawi and the late champion mare Tepin, entered the Coral-Eclipse with high expectations. Having been the ante-post favorite for the Epsom Derby but finishing a disappointing ninth, the colt was expected to redeem himself over the shorter 10-furlong trip at Sandown. O’Brien had initially planned for Delacroix to adopt a front-running approach, leveraging his stamina and pedigree to control the race. However, the six-horse field, including strong contenders like the Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner Ombudsman and the French Derby victor Camille Pissarro, created a tactical quagmire that threw O’Brien’s strategy into disarray.

From the outset, the race unfolded chaotically. O’Brien had envisioned Delacroix setting a strong pace, but the presence of other front-runners, including Sosie and Camille Pissarro, disrupted the plan. Jockey Ryan Moore, widely regarded as one of the best in the world, found himself caught in a positional battle early on. Delacroix was shuffled back, trapped behind a wall of horses as the leaders slowed the pace, turning the race into a test of speed rather than stamina. “It was a mess,” O’Brien fumed post-race, as reported by ITV Racing. “We had a plan, but it was stupid to think it would go that way with this field. We got it all wrong.”

The slow early fractions played into the hands of Ombudsman, trained by John and Thady Gosden, who capitalized on a more prominent position under William Buick. As the field turned into the straight, Delacroix was still languishing at the rear, boxed in and unable to find a clear run. Moore’s attempts to navigate through the traffic were thwarted multiple times, with stablemate Camille Pissarro inadvertently closing gaps. By the time Moore switched Delacroix to the outside, the colt faced an uphill battle to close the gap on the leaders. Despite a valiant late surge, showcasing the turn of foot inherited from Tepin, Delacroix could only manage a close finish, falling short of catching Ombudsman, who held on for victory.

O’Brien’s frustration was palpable as he reflected on the tactical missteps. “We thought Delacroix would go forward, but the race changed so quickly,” he told Racing Post. “Ryan had to abandon Plan A, B, and C, and by then, the others had first run. It’s infuriating because we know what this horse can do.” The trainer’s self-criticism underscores the complexity of small-field Group 1 races, where positioning and pace can make or break a horse’s chances. John Gosden, whose Ombudsman benefited from the race’s dynamics, acknowledged the messy nature of the contest, noting, “I warned it could be a tactical race, and it was. Delacroix ran well, but we got the run of the race.”

Despite the defeat, Delacroix’s performance was not without merit. His late charge demonstrated his potential, and bookmakers responded by cutting his odds for the Juddmonte International at York to 5-1 from 16-1, signaling confidence in his ability to bounce back. O’Brien, while critical of the tactics, remained optimistic about the colt’s future. “He’s a hardy horse with a brilliant turn of foot,” he said. “We’ll learn from this and make sure we’re better prepared next time.”

The Coral-Eclipse has once again proven why it is one of racing’s most compelling contests, blending the unpredictability of tactics with the raw talent of its competitors. For O’Brien, the race was a rare misstep in a career defined by precision and success. As he prepares Delacroix for future challenges, the lessons learned from this “mess” will undoubtedly shape Ballydoyle’s approach to the next battle, with the Juddmonte International looming as a chance for redemption.