Ombudsman will not be taking on Delacroix in this month's Irish Champion Stakes (Credit: Godolphin)

Ombudsman to swerve Delacroix rematch and head for Ascot's Champions Stakes

Juddmonte International hero Ombudsman is set to skip a hotly-anticipated third showdown with rival Delacroix in the Irish Champion Stakes and instead make an appearance at Ascot's Champions Day.

The two middle-distance stars have enjoyed two epic battles this term, with Delacroix getting the better of the first meeting in Sandown's Coral Eclipse before Ombudsman turned the tables with a decisive three-and-a-half length success in the Juddmonte International.

Racing fans were dearly hoping for another clash on September 13th at Leopardstown, but Ombudsman's trainer John Gosden has suggested a trip to Ireland is not in the best interests of his horse.

Gosden told the Racing Post: "The Irish Champion Stakes is a race that our stable has won four times. Obviously, it would not be in the best interests of Ombudsman to race in September, nor would the horse appreciate running against multiple entries from one stable on a track with a short straight.

"He will now be freshened up for an autumn campaign targeting the Champion Stakes at Ascot, the Breeders’ Cup and the Japan Cup."

Delacroix odds-on for Irish Champion success

Delacroix's trainer, Aiden O'Brien, had initially implored connections of Ombudsman to travel across the water.

O'Brien said earlier this week, "I really hope he will come over. [His owner] Sheikh Mohammed is probably the greatest sportsman we’ve ever seen, and I know our men will be delighted if he comes over. We’d love him to come to Leopardstown and, if he does, it will be a proper race.

"We’ll try to run a pacemaker if John doesn’t, and we’ll make it very straightforward. The pacemaker will go on, and Delacroix can follow him, and Ombudsman can follow Delacroix, if he wants!

"We’ll let them turn into the straight and see what happens from there. For the race and for everybody we want it to happen – win, lose or draw, we’ll be delighted."

However, given that now looks incredibly unlikely, O'Brien's chances of yet another Irish Champion triumph have risen significantly.

Ladbrokes and Coral go a top price of 5/4 on Delacroix winning the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes, with many other bookmakers odds-on. His nearest market rival is now the Jonny Murtagh-trained Zahrann, who is a best price of 11/2.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman is a current 2/1 ante-post favourite for Ascot's Champions Stakes, while he is rated a 4/1 chance to land the Breeders Cup Turf on November 1st – a race for which the O'Brien-trained Minnie Hauk is the current 5/2 market leader.

Matt Hill

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Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.

Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.

He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.

When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.

Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.

When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.