Coral Eclipse 2025 Race Overview

Six horses have been declared for the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, which has been sponsored by Coral since 1976 and is often the first time in a season that the classic generation get to take on their elders.

Coral Eclipse Winners, Trends & Stats

The race has been won on multiple occasions by the same horse with Orme, Buchan, Polyphontes, Mtoto and Halling all winning the race in successive years. Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and City Of Troy all won the race following success in the Derby and Paddington won the race in 2023 having won the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

• 11 of the previous 12 winners were rated 118 or higher
• Nine of the previous 12 winners had won last time out
• Nine of the previous 12 winners were having their first start at Sandown
• Eight of the previous 12 winners had previously won a Group 1
• Seven of the previous 12 winners were aged three

Coral Eclipse Date

The Coral Eclipse at Sandown will take place on Saturday 5th July at 15:35.

Coral Eclipse Runners Guide

Ombudsman

Unbeaten in his four starts last season before running well to finish 2nd in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes over this course and distance on his reappearance. The four-year-old was attempting to give Almaqam 3lbs that day but the pair pulled four lengths clear of the 3rd. Improved to win the Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot by two lengths from Anmaat despite not getting the clearest of runs down the straight. The handicapper has raised him to a rating of 128 and that would set the standard in this race.

Sosie

French raider who is currently favourite for the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe in October. Yet to race outside of France in his career but connections have stated that this will be a mid-season target for him. Victorious in his two starts at Group 1 level so far this season, he will appreciate this step back up to 1m2f having looked outpaced over 1m1f on his previous start.

Camille Pissarro

Appeared to relish the step up trip to 1m2½f when he won the French Derby last time at Longchamp. Showed his liking for France winning a Group 1 there last season before finishing 3rd in the French 2000 Guineas when behind stablemate Henri Matisse. Would have to be respected if the stable selected for this race for a yard with a fantastic record in it.

Delacroix

Sent off at 2/1 for the Epsom Derby but only managed 9th, behind stablemate Lambourn. The Dubawi colt had previously outrun the dual Derby winner in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes on his seasonal return and followed up under a penalty in the Derrinstown Derby Trial, both over 1m2f. Last season, as a juvenile, he showed top-class form, defeating Stanhope Gardens in a Group 3 at Newmarket and finishing a close second by a nose to Hotazhell in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. It remains to be seen if Ryan Moore will choose him again.

Ruling Court

Won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, beating Field Of Gold by half a length, before being withdrawn late from the Epsom Derby due to unsuitable ground. He ran in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile, finishing third and appearing to lack pace for the distance. The step up in trip should suit, but his recent campaign raises some questions.

Hotazhell

Defeated Tennessee Stud in a Group 2 and edged out Delacroix by a nose in a Group 1 as a juvenile last season. He finished third, 4½ lengths behind the winner, in the Irish 2000 Guineas after being a non-runner in the French 2000 Guineas due to fast ground.

Coral Eclipse Trainers & Jockeys to Watch

Aidan O’Brien has won this race eight times including three of the previous four renewals (didn’t have a runner in 2022) with St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy last year. John Gosden won this race in 2015 with Golden Horn and then successive years with Roaring Lion in 2018 and Enable in 2019.

Ryan Moore has won three of the previous four renewals for Aidan O’Brien winning on St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City Of Troy (2024) last year. William Buick has won this race three times in total with Nathaniel (2012), Hawkbill (2016) and Ghaiyyath (2020).

Coral Eclipse Tips

Steve Ryder has advised Camille Pissarro and Delacroix ante-post on Tuesday 24th June at best prices of 5/1 and 9/1.

Camille Pissarro hits the majority of trends other than being rated over 118 but being a progressive three-year-old that is unexposed over the trip, that can be forgiven.

Delacroix bids to bounce back from defeat in the Derby when sent off favourite. Prior to that he had won his two starts this season over 1m2f at Leopardstown including when beating Lambourn on his reappearance.