Coral Eclipse 2025

The Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, sponsored by Coral since 1976, is frequently the first occasion in a racing season where the classic generation faces older horses.

Six runners have been declared for the £1 million Group 1 race (losing five from the five-day confirmations), scheduled for 15:35 on Saturday 5th July, 

Ombudsman for the Gosdens leads the betting at only marginally odds against. Sosie is the second favourite, while Aidan O’Brien’s top rider Ryan Moore has chosen Delacroix over Camille Pissarro – third and fourth favourites of the six.

Coral Eclipse Betting Trends

Multiple horses have won the race in consecutive years, including Orme, Buchan, Polyphontes, Mtoto, and Halling. Sea The Stars, Golden Horn and City Of Troy all triumphed in this race after Derby success, while Paddington, the 2023 winner, had previously claimed the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Here's a few more key trends ahead of the 2025 renewal.

  • 11 of the last 12 winners were rated 118 or higher
  • Nine of the last 12 winners had won their most recent race
  • Nine of the last 12 winners were making their Sandown debut
  • Eight of the last 12 winners had previously won a Group 1
  • Seven of the last 12 winners were three-year-olds

 

 

Camille Pissarro

Excelled when stepped up to 1m2½f, winning the French Derby at Longchamp last time out. He previously won a Group 1 in France as a juvenile and was third in the French 2000 Guineas behind stablemate Henri Matisse. He merits respect if chosen by his yard, which has an excellent record in this race.

Ruling Court

Won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, beating Field Of Gold by half a length, before a late withdrawal 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 looking outpaced. The step up in trip should suit, but his recent campaign raises some questions.

Hotazhell

Defeated Tennessee Stud in a Group 2 and Delacroix by a nose in a Group 1 as a juvenile last season. He finished 4½ lengths third 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 last four renewals (no runner in 2022), with St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023), and City Of Troy (2024). John Gosden secured victories with Golden Horn (2015), Roaring Lion (2018), and Enable (2019).

Ryan Moore has ridden three of the last four winners for O’Brien: St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023), and City Of Troy (2024). William Buick has three wins, on Nathaniel (2012), Hawkbill (2016), and Ghaiyyath (2020).

 

Coral Eclipse Tips & Race Prediction

Steve Ryder’s selections for the Coral Eclipse were advised ante-post on Tuesday 24th June.

Camille Pissarro (advised at 5/1) aims to follow St Mark’s Basilica (2021), who won this race after competing in the French 2000 Guineas and French Derby. 

He meets most trends, though his rating is below 118, which is excusable as a progressive three-year-old unexposed at this distance.

Delacroix (advised at 9/1), meanwhile, seeks to rebound from his Derby defeat as the favourite. 

He won both starts this season over 1m2f at Leopardstown, including when beating Lambourn on his return. Hampered early at Epsom, he was eased by Ryan Moore, and his trainer suggests this is likely his next race, making him look overpriced.

Camille Pissarro 5/1 (0.5pt ew) & Delacroix 9/1 (0.5pt ew)