Delacroix delighting O'Brien with Derby preparation
The Dubawi colt, who is out of the late and great Tepin, has won both starts this year, in the Ballysax Stakes and the Leopardstown Derby Trial, a route taken in the past by the likes of O'Brien giants such as Galileo and High Chaparral.
In the Ballysax he beat fellow Epsom entrant and stablemate Lambourn, who went on to take the Chester Vase in good style.
Added into the mix is winter Classic favourite The Lion In Winter, who may have failed to land a blow in the Dante but is far from out of the equation as his trainer has plenty of form for making a Derby winner out of a horse beaten in a trial.
Those are the options O'Brien anticipates stable jockey Moore will be presented with, with Delacroix seemingly considered the more persuasive choice at this stage.
'The three strongest horses at the moment for the Derby are Lambourn, the horse that won the Chester Vase, Delacroix, who won in Leopardstown, and the horse that ran in the Dante (The Lion In Winter). They look the three strongest,' O'Brien said.
'I would imagine Ryan has the choice between them. The horse in the Dante has to come on and everything has to go right for him, and it has gone right so far.
'Delacroix has done absolutely everything perfect so far. He has done everything right and his preparation has gone perfect.
'He's by Dubawi, but his sister by Galileo (Grateful) won over a mile and six (Prix de Royallieu). He's a total outcross, he's out of a superstar mare and he's by Dubawi so he's a very exciting type of horse.
'They've another couple of weeks to go. I would imagine Ryan will find it hard not to ride him, but that doesn't mean he won't ride him.'
O'Brien also holds a strong hand for the Oaks, and expects Minnie Hauk, Giselle and Whirl to be key players from Ballydoyle.
He said: 'In the Oaks, the filly that won at Chester (Minnie Hauk), the filly that won the Lingfield trial (Giselle) and the filly that won the Musidora (Whirl) are the strongest ones.
'What will happen is that the lads will decide a week or 10 days before. I would imagine those six are on that route.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
Epsom Derby horse numbers 2025 – full list of runners and riders for 3.30 showpiece
THE Derby will take place at Epsom TODAY as 19 horses take to the iconic track in a bid to win one of the most prestigious races in the world. And you will notice each horse has a number on them to track during the big race. Follow yours with the FULL list of runners and numbers for the Derby below... 1 1 Al Wasl Storm Jockey: David Probert Trainer: Owen Burrows 2 Damysus Jockey: James Doyle Trainer: John & Thady Gosden 3 Delacroix Jockey: Ryan Moore Trainer: A P O'Brien 4 Green Storm Jockey: Billy Loughnane Trainer: Charlie Johnston 5 Lambourn Jockey: Wayne Lordan Trainer: A P O'Brien 6 Lazy Griff Jockey: Christophe Soumillon Trainer: Charlie Johnston 7 Midak Jockey: Mickael Barzalona Trainer: F-H Graffard 8 New Ground Jockey: Alexis Pouchin Trainer: H-F Devin 9 Nightime Dancer Jockey: Jamie Spencer Trainer: Richard Hannon 10 Nightwalker Jockey: Tom Marquand Trainer: John & Thady Gosden 11 Pride Of Arras Jockey: Rossa Ryan Trainer: Ralph Beckett 12 Rogue Impact Jockey: Luke Morris Trainer: James Owen 13 Ruling Court Jockey: William Buick Trainer: Charlie Appleby 14 Sea Scout Jockey: Harry Davies Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford 15 Stanhope Gardens Jockey: Hector Crouch Trainer: Ralph Beckett 16 Tennessee Stud Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle Trainer: Joseph Patrick O'Brien 17 The Lion In Winter Jockey: Colin Keane Trainer: A P O'Brien 18 Tornado Alert Jockey: Oisin Murphy Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor 19 Tuscan Hills Jockey: David Egan Trainer: Raphael E Freire Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Arsenal and Man Utd stars to go head-to-head for League One manager job
Plymouth Argyle are considering two former Premier League stars for their managerial vacancies after Wayne Rooney's replacement, Miron Muslic departed the club for Schalke. Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley are among the candidates to be interviewed for the vacant Plymouth Argyle job. Both the former Arsenal midfielder and ex-Manchester United ace are out of work having managed in the Championship last season Plymouth are in need of a new boss having seen Miron Muslic depart for Schalke after less than a year in the job. Muslic oversaw the side's relegation after replacing Wayne Rooney at Home Park. Rooney was sacked by the club in December after lasting 221 days of his three-year contract. The ex-Derby and Birmingham City boss managed just four wins and was relieved of his duties after a nine-game winless run put the team four points from safety. Muslic was expected to continue at Plymouth having given chairman Simon Hallett assurances he would lead the side's campaign to earn promotion from the Championship. The club had already moved to put personnel and structures in place that Muslic insisted upon. But Argyle have been forced into the managerial market and could go for a high-profile name once again with Wilshere and Cleverley in the frame. The former took charge of Norwich's final two games of the season as interim-boss after the Canaries parted ways with Johannes Hoff Thorup. Wilshere arrived at Carrow Road in October 2024 as a member of coaching staff. The ex-England international was previously in charge of Arsenal under-18s and parted ways with Norwich via mutual agreement after the team decided they wouldn't consider him for the permanent job. Cleverley meanwhile saw his playing career end with Watford where he moved into coaching. The 35-year-old was working with the Hornets academy before being named as interim head coach when Valerien Ismael was dismissed. Cleverly impressed enough to be handed the role on a permanent basis but lasted little over 12 months before being sacked last month. The United academy product remained proud of his efforts. "After the sadness wears off, I will forever have a feeling of gratitude and happiness towards the club and the place and people of Watford," he said. "To have built a connection with the players and supporters over the last 14 months has been special and the achievement I'm most proud about. "To see the development of our key players, young players and academy players, has been an incredibly rewarding part of my job and their progress in the game will always be something I look out for. We have used 11 players aged 21 and under this year and both they and the club will benefit hugely for this experience. "To maintain league position and points after selling key players last summer is something we should be proud of, as well as reflecting on why we couldn't sustain our play-off challenge will be something we should all review." Wilshere and Cleverley will also see competition from Des Buckingham. The 40-year-old was surprisingly sacked by Oxford United in December.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Templegate's Derby tip: ‘He's extremely impressive and has way more to come' – My NAP on a huge day at Epsom
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Templegate's Derby tip: 'He's extremely impressive and has way more to come' – My NAP on a huge day at Epsom Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Saturday of racing confident of smashing the bookies. The big race of the day - the year, even - is the Derby and 19 runners go to post for the 3.30 live on ITV1 - although one huge name could be pulled at the last minute amid a dire weather warning. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Our man goes through every single runner and reveals his 1-2-3-4 Derby prediction in his brilliant runner-by-runner guide. You'll find all his picks below, so grab yourself a free bet offer and back a horse simply by clicking their odds. PRIDE OF ARRAS (3.30 Epsom, nap) He was extremely impressive when winning the Dante at York last time on just his second outing. That was his first start for nine months and he burst through the line to suggest this longer trip will be fine. His high draw could be tricky but not impossible and he has more to come. DOCKLANDS (1.35 Epsom, nb) He has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. VALVANO (4.15 Epsom, treble) He showed lots of promise last season and returned with a solid fourth at Goodwood last time. He should improve for that fitness wise and he handles any ground. Templegate's TV verdicts EPSOM 1.00 IF it comes up properly soft by racetime, Sparks Fly would be a cracking bet given her superb record in testing conditions. But assuming it's good to soft or quicker, ROYAL DRESS is the one to be on. She was an unlucky third in this last year before striking in this grade at The Curragh. She has since held her own in better races including when third at York last time. William Buick is an eyecatching booking too. Bermuda Longtail looked promising when beaten half a length in a York Listed contest last month and has much more to come. She gets plenty of weight for age too. Skellet progressed last season and is another who should be capable of better for Ralph Beckett. 1.35 DOCKLANDS has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. Persica didn't fire in the Lockinge last time but took a Newmarket Group 3 easily enough on comeback and has won here before. Ryan Moore's a good booking and he's a big threat. Royal Playwright gets the best part of a stone from his older rivals and didn't get the run of the race in the Dante last time. He could take a major step forward here. Royal Dubai wasn't disgraced at Ascot last time and looks the pick of the bigger prices. 2.10 AGAINST THE WIND could be the answer to this tricky puzzle. He has plenty of weight but has been running well with a Thirsk win followed by a fine York third last time. He gets away quickly so should be suited by this track. Naana's Sparkle ran a nice race at Goodwood last time when third and showed lots of pace. He looks on a fair mark. Ruby's Profit got the better of Mademoiselle in that race and they should both be right at home here too after showing a lot of boot. Tees Aggregates saves his best for Catterick so should love Epsom which is another tricky track. He may not be quite good enough to win but could be an each-way bet if you can get extra places. Blinky won a couple on the all-weather before a decent third at Chester last time. A repeat of that would put him in the place picture from what should be an ideal draw. 2.45 JER BATT always faced a tough task from a wide draw at Chester last time yet still ran a good race. He has some fine handicap form over this trip yet is still on a fair weight and the booking of Oisin Murphy is a plus. He'll be right there. Clarendon House is quirky but has enough quality to figure if he fancies it. He went well in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket last time. Last year's winner Dream Composer was also badly drawn at Chester latest but looked much better when second at Pontefract on comeback. He can figure again. Jm Jungle has been placed in hot York handicaps on his past two outings. He likes this trip and is a quick starter so has every chance. Vintage Clarets showed positive signs on the Knavesmire latest and is in the each-way picture too. 3.30 PRIDE OF ARRAS was a brilliant Dante winner at York and has more to come. French raider Midak looks overpriced, while Lambourn would have a say if the rain comes. And you never rule out Ryan Moore on Delacroix, especially as the jockey was simply brilliant on Minnie Hauk in the Oaks. Read my full guide to the field and 1-2-3-4 prediction here. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
