'My horse is a superstar'- Christophe Soumillion after Delacroix takes Irish Champion Stakes

It was O’Brien and Christophe Soumillon’s day and though Delacroix overshadowed all other performers, it is quite possible that it the next generation of Classic winners were also on show.

LEOPARDSTOWN: Delacroix and Christophe Soumillon go to post to win for trainer Aidan O'Brien, his 13th success in the race. Pic: Healy Racing

Delacroix delighted in Saturday evening’s Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, dishing out defeat to a high-class field with a performance which owed its simplicity to the brilliance of jockey Christophe Soumillon.

The colt is one who takes some knowing but stand-in Soumillon, deputising for Ryan Moore, was brilliantly decisive at the most opportune moment, and laid the foundations for a thirteenth victory in the race for the incomparable Aidan O’Brien.