Delacroix Hands O'Brien Another Irish Champion Stakes

Derrick Smith, Susan Magner, and Michael B. Tabor's Delacroix (IRE) produced a dominant performance in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), supplying trainer Aidan O'Brien with a remarkable 13th win in the race on Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown. The victory earned the 3-year-old son of Dubawi (IRE) an automatic berth into the $5 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar. In the feature race of the day, stablemate Mount Kilimanjaro (FR) set a fierce pace at the head of affairs, as Delacroix and chief market rival Anmaat (IRE) settled towards the rear of the field. Mount Kilimanjaro gave way to Delacroix, who took up the running smoothly as the field entered the home straight. Christophe Soumillon, who previously rode Almanzor (FR) to win this race in 2016, quickly steered his mount to the stands' side rail, which turned out to be a race-winning decision. Delacroix shot clear of his toiling rivals, with runner-up Anmaat unable to ever get on terms with the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1) winner who won by three-quarters of a length, with Royal Champion (IRE) back in third place. This victory was yet another landmark achieved by Aidan O'Brien, who paid tribute to what was a taking performance by Delacroix, now a two-time group 1 winner. O'Brien said, "He's an incredible horse. Christophe (Soumillon) gave him an incredible ride. He came off a strong pace today like he did at Sandown and once you say 'Go', it's over. He's a big, powerful horse. He's a hardy boy. What he did in Sandown was unusual and he did it again today. I'm delighted for everyone. He has lots of options ahead of him in the final part of the season." Delacroix covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:04:69 over a course listed as good to yielding. Fallen Angel digs deep to Win Matron Stakes The ultra-consistent Fallen Angel (GB), ridden by James Doyle, showed tremendous grit to land the one-mile Matron Stakes (G1), securing an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). Sent off the 9-4 favorite for trainer Karl Burke and owners Wathnan Racing, the daughter of Too Darn Hot (GB) arrived into this race off the back of a similarly gritty performance when winning the Aug. 3 Prix Rothschild (G1) at Deauville. The John Feane-trained Vera's Secret (IRE) led the field throughout the early stages, while Fallen Angel sat close up with the pace alongside fellow British challenger Cathedral (GB). Doyle pushed his mount forward to challenge as the field entered the home straight, but was pestered by Exactly (IRE), with the pair fighting out a memorable duel all the way to the line. It was the gray mare who emerged victorious by a half-length to give Burke a second win in this contest after Laurens (FR) won it in 2018. Speaking after Fallen Angel had recorded a fourth career group 1 win, Doyle said, "The last half-furlong she really dug in. She's very tough. Karl (Burke) and his team have done a great job with her, and she always just turns up. It's so good to ride another group 1 winner for Wathnan Racing, too." Fallen Angel completed the mile race in 1:38:93. Benvenuto Cellini Blows Rivals Away In Juvenile Stakes Benvenuto Cellini (IRE), trained by O'Brien, confirmed the promise of his maiden win with a highly impressive success in the Juvenile Stakes (G2) to gain an automatic berth into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). The Joseph O'Brien-trained Hardy Warrior (IRE) cut out the early running from the Soumillon-ridden Benvenuto Cellini, who sat in second ahead ofA Boy Named Susie (IRE) and Nil Bua Gon Dua. Soumillon sent his mount to challenge approaching the quarter-mile pole. Within a matter of strides, the son of Frankel (GB) drew readily clear of his toiling rivals. He went on to win under hands and heels by five lengths from Hardy Warrior, who kept going to finish in second place. This was a record 11th success in this race for Aidan O'Brien. Benvenuto Cellini, owned by Peter Brant, Susan Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg, completed the one-mile contest in 1:42:35. As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Delacroix to start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Fallen Angel to start in the Filly & Mare Turf, and Benvenuto Cellini to start in the Juvenile Turf. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.