“OFFICIAL” Aidan O’Brien’s SUPERSTAR horse Delacroix has officially retired at the age of three – and now he’s set to make his owner millions, leaving fans heartbroken
In a bittersweet announcement that has sent ripples through the world of thoroughbred racing, Aidan O’Brien’s prodigious three-year-old colt Delacroix has been officially retired from the track, ending a meteoric career that captivated fans and secured his place in equine history. The decision, confirmed by Coolmore Stud on October 20, 2025, comes just days after Delacroix’s valiant but ultimately disappointing fourth-place finish in the Champion Stakes at Ascot. While the news marks the end of an era for racing enthusiasts who adored his explosive bursts of speed and unyielding spirit, it heralds a lucrative new chapter for his owners, the powerhouse Coolmore partnership led by John Magnier. With his impeccable pedigree and proven prowess, Delacroix is poised to command stud fees that could generate millions in revenue, transforming him from a track sensation into a cornerstone of the breeding empire.
Delacroix’s journey began with promise and escalated into legend faster than most horses could dream. Foaled in 2022 at Coolmore’s Kentucky farm, he entered the world as the last offspring of the illustrious American champion Tepin, a dual Breeders’ Cup winner and hall-of-famer who retired with earnings exceeding $6 million. Sired by the globally dominant Dubawi, whose progeny have reshaped modern racing with their versatility and class, Delacroix inherited a genetic blueprint for excellence. From the outset, he exuded an aura of destiny. Aidan O’Brien, the Ballydoyle maestro whose stable has produced more Group 1 winners than any trainer in history, spotted the colt’s potential during his early trials. “He’s a gorgeous horse,” O’Brien once remarked, his voice laced with the quiet reverence he reserves for true phenoms. “Undoubtedly the best-looking son of Dubawi we’ve ever seen.”
As a juvenile, Delacroix wasted no time announcing his arrival. Trained with the meticulous care that defines O’Brien’s operation, he romped to victory in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, showcasing a lethal turn of foot that left rivals trailing in his wake. Narrowly denied in the Futurity Stakes by a mere nose— a heartbreaker that only fueled anticipation for his three-year-old campaign—he ended his season with four wins from six starts, earning the moniker of TDN Rising Star. Fans, already smitten, flooded social media with comparisons to past Ballydoyle greats like Galileo and Sea The Stars. “This one’s different,” one punter tweeted after his debut romp. “He’s got that fire in his eye.”
The 2025 season propelled Delacroix into the stratosphere. Spring brought dominant displays in Ireland, where he claimed the Ballysax Stakes and Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown with the ease of a horse born for the classics. Sent off as the favorite for the Epsom Derby, expectations soared to fever pitch. But fate had other plans; a troubled trip saw him finish a lackluster ninth, prompting O’Brien to pivot brilliantly. Dropped back to 10 furlongs for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July, Delacroix unleashed a performance for the ages. Trailing by what seemed an insurmountable margin turning for home, he exploded under jockey Christophe Soumillon, devouring ground with a devastating acceleration that echoed the greats. He surged past Ombudsman, the horse who had bested him earlier, to win by three lengths in a time that stunned the commentary box. “What he did at Sandown, you don’t see horses do that,” O’Brien said afterward, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s the stuff of dreams.”
That Eclipse triumph was no fluke. Emboldened, Delacroix returned to Leopardstown in September for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, a race steeped in Coolmore lore. Again partnered by Soumillon, the French maestro who had become his perfect match, Delacroix travelled effortlessly before flicking the switch two furlongs out. He quickened like a bolt of lightning, putting the race to bed in strides and holding off a late charge from Anmaat to claim Group 1 glory by a length and a half. The victory completed a rare Eclipse-Champion Stakes double, a feat previously achieved only by immortals like Sadler’s Wells, Giant’s Causeway, and O’Brien’s own St Mark’s Basilica. With six wins from 12 career starts and earnings nearing $2.4 million, Delacroix had not just arrived—he had redefined middle-distance mastery at the tender age of three.
Yet, whispers of retirement had swirled since that Irish triumph. O’Brien, ever the guardian of his charges, hinted at the possibility post-Leopardstown: “It could be his last time out there. I can’t tell you how important he is.” The Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 18 offered a final shot at glory, a showdown with Ombudsman that promised fireworks. Coolmore’s team eyed it as a potential swan song, a chance to bow out unbeaten in his signature races. But the day soured quickly. Blaming a sand-heavy track drained for heavy rain, O’Brien noted how Delacroix struggled for traction, getting shuffled back early and never quite regaining his rhythm. He battled gamely to fourth behind winner Calandagan, but the spark that defined him flickered dimly. “He got a little lost out there,” O’Brien reflected. “Some horses just don’t take to it.”
For Coolmore, the retirement is less heartbreak and more high-stakes strategy. Delacroix joins an elite roster of Ballydoyle graduates transitioning to stud, including recent stars like Auguste Rodin and City of Troy. His appeal is irresistible: a proven Group 1 winner with international flair, out of a mare whose own racing record screams class. “He’s exceptionally sound, tough, and talented,” said Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin. “With that pedigree, he’ll be a cornerstone for us.” While his 2026 stud fee remains under wraps—speculation ranges from €50,000 to €100,000 based on comparable Dubawi sons—the potential windfall is staggering. A full book of 150 mares could net millions in the first year alone, with foals carrying his name fetching top dollar at sales. It’s a testament to the Coolmore machine: turning racing heroes into breeding fortunes, ensuring legacies endure beyond the finish line.
The fans, however, mourn differently. Social media erupted with tributes upon the announcement—hashtags like #ThankYouDelacroix trending worldwide. “Heartbroken doesn’t cover it,” one devotee posted alongside a clip of his Eclipse surge. “He was poetry on legs, gone too soon.” Forums buzzed with what-ifs: Could he have conquered the Breeders’ Cup? Might a fourth Champion Stakes attempt have rewritten records? For a colt who ignited passions with every thunderous gallop, the void feels immense. O’Brien, attuned to such sentiments, offered solace: “Every horse gets its moment, and Delacroix seized his with both hooves. We’ll see his spirit in the next generation.”
As Delacroix settles into life at Coolmore’s lush paddocks in Ireland, grazing under the watchful eyes that nurtured him, the racing world pauses. At just three, he’s already etched in the pantheon—a fleeting comet whose light burned brighter for its brevity. For owners, it’s millions in the making; for fans, a poignant reminder of why we fall for these magnificent creatures. In the grand tapestry of the sport, Delacroix’s thread gleams eternal.
