Eclipse agony for Godolphin as magical Moore steals victory from Buick at the wire
The spotlight had been firmly on Ombudsman, the Royal Ascot hero trained by John & Thady Gosden and ridden by Godolphin's top jockey William Buick, who looked poised to deliver yet another landmark moment: Buick's 2,000th British winner. But in the race's dying moments, it was Delacroix, under a patient and power-packed ride from Moore, who stole the show with a blistering late burst.
Moore, a three-time British Champion Jockey, showed every inch of his class, guiding Delacroix from the rear of the six-runner field to edge Ombudsman by a neck, turning what many had expected to be a tactical affair into a test of pure stamina and nerve.
'It wasn't Plan A, B, or even C,' Moore admitted post-race. 'The pace was uncertain, and nobody really wanted to go forward early. But this horse has gears, and today, that made the difference.'
It was a result that left Godolphin and their fans with mixed emotions. Ombudsman ran a superb race and lost nothing in defeat, while stablemate Ruling Court, under Oisin Murphy for trainer Charlie Appleby, stayed on for a gallant third after not enjoying the best of runs.
Trainer John Gosden, looking for a fifth Eclipse trophy and first after the legendary Enable in 23019, reflected on the race's chaotic structure.
Messy Race
'It was always going to be messy with a small field,' said Gosden, who less than two weeks ago sent out Ombudsman to win the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at the |Royal meeting.
'We expected Delacroix to set the pace, but when that didn't happen, everything was flipped. Ombudsman gave his all, but in the end, the winner just outstayed us.'
For Delacroix and trainer Aidan O'Brien, it was a statement of redemption. The colt had flopped in last month's Epsom Derby as the favourite, but bounced back in style, resulting in his odds being slashed from 16/1 to 9/2 for next month's Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York.
Godolphin's ambition to dominate Europe's top-level flat racing continues undiminished. With multiple Group 1 targets ahead, and elite horses like Ombudsman and Ruling Court showing world-class form, Dubai's blue army remains firmly in the hunt for further international glory. The stable has already amassed 245 victories worldwide, including nine at Group 1 level.
The flat racing spotlight now shifts to Newmarket, where the prestigious July Festival promises more top-class action. Kicking off with the Princess of Wales's Stakes (Group 2) on 10 July, the festival continues through the weekend with elite races like the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) and the much-anticipated Al Basti July Cup (Group 1) on 12 July, a sprint showdown that often shapes global rankings.
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