Aidan O’Brien is poised to reignite the fierce rivalry between Delacroix and Ombudsman in the highly anticipated Qipco Champion Stakes. Scheduled for 4:05 PM at Ascot on Saturday, this race promises to be a thrilling conclusion to their ongoing competition. Currently, the score stands at one win each, with Delacroix having triumphed at the Coral-Eclipse and Ombudsman securing victory at York’s Juddmonte International.
Rivalry Intensifies Ahead of the Champion Stakes
The tension between the two camps has been fueled by recent comments from trainers. O’Brien recently encouraged the Gosdens to enter Ombudsman into the Irish Champion Stakes, but John Gosden declined, citing concerns over competing against multiple entries from O’Brien’s stable. This outcome has led to a decisive confrontation this weekend, especially as Delacroix is set for retirement following the race.
O’Brien commented, “John can whinge a little bit after races, whether he wins or loses, but it’s always good sport, and I only say it light-heartedly.” He emphasized the importance of respecting all competitors. O’Brien remarked, “We’re delighted to take on Ombudsman again. It’s been a long time since we’ve had good ground for this meeting.”
Previous Encounters and Strategic Moves
In their latest encounter at York, Ombudsman finished three and a half lengths ahead of Delacroix. The performance of Ombudsman’s pacemaker, Birr Castle, initially created a significant lead before they were caught near the finish line. For the Champion Stakes, Ombudsman’s pacemaker will be Devil’s Advocate. O’Brien may utilize Mount Kilimanjaro for Delacroix, hoping to avoid a repeat of any strategic mishaps from their last meeting.
O’Brien’s Record and Future Aspirations
Aidan O’Brien is on the brink of breaking his own record of 28 Group or Grade 1 victories in a single year. He is set to compete in four out of the five Group 1 races at British Champions Day. Despite this, he remains focused on the immediate challenge at hand, stating, “We don’t dwell on losing too much. The moment one race finishes, we are already considering the next.”
Betting Odds for Qipco Champion Stakes
The current betting odds for the Qipco Champion Stakes are as follows:
- Ombudsman: 2
- Calandagan: 11-4
- Delacroix: 11
- Economics: 14
- Almaqam: 18
- Almeric: 22
- First Look: 100
- Fox Legacy: 100
- Others: 100 bar
With the stakes high and the rivalry heating up, all eyes will be on the Ascot track this Saturday.
