135nu

1 Delacroix 1/3F
2 Purview 11/1
3 Tennessee Stud 7/1
5 ran Distances: 2¾l, 4l, ¾l
Time: 2m 10.59s (slow by 4.99s)

It’s often said that Derby horses find a way to separate themselves—and at Leopardstown, Delacroix did exactly that.

The Dubawi colt, so highly regarded at two, made a compelling case for Classic honours with a commanding victory, his performance prompting a halving in his Derby odds across the board.

Sent off a warm 1-3 favourite, Wayne Lordan settled him close to the pace in a race stacked with quality and narrative. Aidan O’Brien fielded a trio, as is often the case in these trials, with Acapulco Bay and Cashel Rock ing the Ballydoyle effort. Tennessee Stud, trained by Joseph O'Brien and similarly carrying the Coolmore silks, added familial spice, while Purview, representing Dermot Weld and Juddmonte, brought further class to the six-runner field.

But the moment they swung for home, there was only one name that mattered. Lordan pressed the button a furlong and a half from the line, and Delacroix lengthened beautifully—quicker, stronger, and smoother than any of his rivals, putting daylight between himself and Purview with a final margin of two and three-quarter lengths.

“Wayne got a lovely lead into it,” noted Chris Armstrong, representing Ballydoyle on the day. “When he asked him, the most impressive thing was how he really quickened and stretched to the line. And Wayne felt he was still looking around late on—there’s more in the tank.”

That comment alone will catch the ear of punters and paddock-watchers alike. Delacroix has always shaped as one with scope, and now he’s beginning to back up that profile when it counts.

Lordan, who had a slightly unorthodox start to proceedings after being unseated en route to the stalls, took the moment in stride:

“He was just a bit fresh and went a stride quicker than ideal, clipped the rail and gravity did the rest,” he said with a smile. “But once we got underway he was straightforward. He travels strongly and then finds—that’s what you want to see.”

With entries in both the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby, Delacroix now finds himself firmly among the leading fancies. Coral and Paddy Power both clipped him into 4-1, a reflection not just of victory, but the manner of it.

With Leopardstown conquered and Epsom looming, all roads now lead to the Downs—and after this showing, Delacroix might just be the one they all have to catch.

Derby Trial Stakes
1m 2f , €94,000 guaranteed
5 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)    Delacroix 3 9-05 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 1/3F
2 (1) 2¾ Purview 3 9-05 D K Weld Chris Hayes 11/1
3 (2) 4 Tennessee Stud 3 9-05 Joseph O'Brien Dylan Browne 7/1
4 (4) ¾ Rock Of Cashel 3 9-05 A P O'Brien Gavin Ryan 28/1
5 (5) ¾ Acapulco Bay 3 9-05 A P O'Brien W J Lee 13/2