Delacroix struck a blow for the classic generation when getting up close home to defeat Ombudsman in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

Having started favourite for the Derby last time out, Delacroix finished ninth at Epsom behind stable companion Lambourn.

The five-runner race turned into a tactical affair right from the start. Many observers had expected Delacroix and stable companion Camille Pissarro to make the running but they stayed at the back, leaving French raider Sosie to set the pace, tracked by Hotazhell.

The favourite Ombudsman raced in third and his rider William Buick looked to have produced his mount with a winning challenge two furlongs out. Camille Pissarro gave chase and it was only very late in the day that Ryan Moore got into top gear on Delacroix, eventually running past the entire field to win by a neck.

Ryan Moore said: "It wasn't my first, second or third plan. We started okay but nobody wanted to make it. They got first run on me. It was a steadily-run race for that class of horse. His turn of foot made the difference and got him out of trouble. I think 10 furlongs is fine for him, if anything he could run shorter."

Aidan O'Brien, winning the race for the ninth time, added: "Ryan gave him an incredible ride. He said he changed his plan four times. Going out, he was happy to make the running but obviously he wasn't the only one who had that in mind.

"During the week Ryan told me that this horse is very fast and that it would be no surprise if he was a miler. So, as the race unfolded, I had a fair idea of what he was thinking."

Delacroix is by Dubawi out of the Group 1/Grade 1 winner Tepin, which Coolmore bought for $8 million in 2017. Delacroix is her second Group 1 winner, following Grateful (won the Prix de Royallieu last year) but sadly Tepin died in 2023.

O'Brien commented: "The lads have been looking for a Dubawi [stallion] all their lives. He's a beautiful, big horse out of a champion mare. He's a total outcross for all the mares. I can't tell you how important he is."