Delacroix to begin life at stud as racing career ends

Delacroix has officially retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore in the new year.

The three-year-old bows out with six wins in 12 starts, claiming Group One gold in a memorable Coral-Eclipse in July before also adding the Irish Champion Stakes to his tally in September.

Delacroix also finished a nose second in the Futurity Trophy as a juvenile and won two Derby trials in the spring before coming home a well-beaten ninth when sent off the 2-1 favourite in the Epsom Classic. He signed off with a fourth-placed finish in Saturday’s Champion Stakes at Ascot, beaten four lengths by Calandagan.

The Dubawi colt, who was trained by Aidan O’Brien, is one of only four foals out of top racemare Tepin and his stud fee will be announced at a later date.

“Delacroix is a gorgeous horse, undoubtedly the best-looking son of Dubawi we’ve ever seen,” said Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin.

“He’s out of one of America’s greatest racemares of recent times and was an exceptionally sound, tough and talented racehorse with a lethal turn of foot. Dubawi’s sons like Night Of Thunder, Too Darn Hot, Zarak and New Bay are all excelling at stud and Delacroix was higher-rated and ran more times than any of them.

“His pedigree is free of Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Danehill and Green Desert so he will be a very important outcross for Coolmore and many of our clients.”