Champion Stakes 2025: Ombudsman vs Delacroix Ranked On Profiles

The Champion Stakes 2025 at Ascot is all set to be a crackerjack clash between heavyweights Ombudsman and Delacroix – with most punters finding it hard to split these top-class colts – in what looks one of the best renewals in modern times. 

So, as Ombudsman and Delacroix step into the Ascot ring on Saturday, in true boxing style – we thought we’d look at their career profiles to see if this might help find the winner.

Ombudsman vs Delacroix III: 2025 Champion Stakes Looks Unmissable Race 

Sport is so much better with rivalries and when the ‘best-of-the best’ take each other on – right?

And that’s exactly what horse racing fans are getting this Saturday at British Champions Day at Ascot.

Not only will racegoers get to tuck into seven top-class races at the Berkshire track, that include FIVE Group Ones – the feature event, the Champion Stakes, is all set-up to be one of the races of the season.

Yes, two of the highest-rated flat horses around at the moment – Delacroix and Ombudsman – lock horns for a third time this season.

Let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint – with the race set to go off at 4:05pm live on the ITV Racing schedule.

Current Ombudsman vs Delacroix Head-To-Head Stands At 1-1

With the current head-to-head record standing at 1-1, then bragging rights are firmly on the table here.

Back in July Delacroix got up in the dying strides to chin Ombudsman in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

But a month later the Godolphin horse came up with a sucker-punch of his own, to get even with Delacroix by romping away with the Juddmonte International at York.

Therefore, with both horses so closely-matched, there will be many punters in both camps.

So, with so many positives and negatives for both – we thought it might help showcasing their profiles.

Ombudsman Horse Profile 📈

WATCH: Ombudsman Winning The Juddmonte International Stakes 

DID YOU KNOW? There is only £7,409 in total prize money won between Ombudsman and Delacroix.

Delacroix Horse Profile 📈

WATCH: Delacroix Winning The 2025 Irish Champion Stakes 

Champion Stakes – Ombudsman vs Delacroix Ranked 

Champion Stakes: Ombudsman Edges Out Delacroix By Just Two Points 

We’ve crunched the numbers in the above table and in a tight-run affair, it’s OMBUDSMAN that comes out on top – but only just.

The pair are so closely-matched that there is even only £7.4k between them in total prize money won.

They come into the race with two Group Ones each and also six total career wins to their names.

Not to mention an equal four successes each over the Champion Stakes 1m 2f trip.

Being a 4 year-old means Ombudsman will have give 4lbs away to Delacroix – and with only 2lbs between them on the official ratings (128-126), then some will take this as Delacroix being 2lbs well-in.

In short, there is nothing but a cigarette paper between the two.

What About Their Trainers?

The Aidan O’Brien Champions Day runners in this race have only seen him with one win – this came with Magical in 2019 and since 2015 he’s had a total of 16 entries in the race.

Meaning he’ll be trying to double his tally with Delacroix. But it’s probably also worth mentioning here that Irish trainers have only won this race three times since 1974.

Whereas John Gosden, who is responsible for Ombudsman, is just edging this one – with two past successes, both came with Cracksman (2017 and 2018).

Then we turned to the jockeys and it was Delacroix that was picking up more points with stand-in Ballydoyle rider Christophe Soumillon winning the Champion Stakes twice before (Almanzor, 2016 and Cirrus des Aigles, 2011).

With Ombudsman’s rider William Buick still hunting a win in this top Group One race.

Could Proven Track Form Be The Difference?

With both horses trading blows based on their profile stats – then maybe proven track form could be the one deciding factor?

This is because Delacroix is yet to race at Ascot, whereas Ombudsman won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over this course and distance in June (watch below).

Therefore, even though there is no obvious reason why the track won’t suit Delacroix – what we do know is that the Godolphin horse will be fine here.

Overall, it’s a race to look forward to, whichever camp you are in – let’s just hope it delivers.

Champion Stakes Not Just A Two-Horse Race

Finally, this the pre-race Champion Stakes hype has all been about two horses.

But let’s not forget this season’s classy King George winner Calandagan is also in attendance.

We know the track will suit and he comes here off the back of winning two Group One race – something neither Delacroix or Ombudsman can claim.

Oh, and he was also runner-up in the race 12 months ago, when sent off the 6/4 favourite.

And, as racing fans, we’ve all been here before – haven’t we?

Only last weekend all the Dewhurst Stakes chat was about Distant Storm, Gstaad and Zavateri – only for 25/1 shot Gewan to waltz away with the prize.

Okay, a win for Calandagan wouldn’t be as big a shock as that one – but he’s a horse clearly going under the radar and is only rated 3lbs inferior to Ombudsman.

While the race will also have another horse that’s beaten Ombudsman this season – Almaqam, who saw him off by 1 3/4 lengths in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown back in May.

Champion Stakes Race Details 2025

📅Date: Saturday 18th October 2025
⌚Time: 4:05pm
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
💰Winning Purse: £803,864
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV