What to look for in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown

The Coral-Eclipse Stakes will go off at 3:35 and is held annually at Sandown Park.It is one of the standout fixtures in the British flat racing calendar. Traditionally run in early July, the Group 1 contest is open to horses aged three and older and is often the first major clash of the generations, where classic-season three-year-olds take on their older rivals over 1 mile 2 furlongs. Named in honour of the legendary 18th-century racehorse Eclipse, the race boasts a rich history dating back to 1886 and has been won by some of the sport’s greatest names. With a prestigious roll of honour and a hefty prize pot, the Eclipse is a true mid-season highlight, often shaping the narrative for the remainder of the season.

Age

Age is a major factor to consider. Four of the last five winners have been aged 3. Since 2013, the oldest horse to win this race was 5 years old. In this year's race, the oldest horse is the favourite OMBUDSMAN, aged 4. Of the six runner field, four are aged 3, with the other two aged 4. At the time of writing, the top three in the betting consist of two 4-year-olds. With age playing a factor, 4-year-olds have finished in the top two six times. However, recent runs of the race suggest that three-year-olds are better to back, especially for an each way bet.

Ground

Ground will play a part in the race. At the time of writing, the going is described as Good to Firm. The favourite, OMBUDSMAN, has form on good and good to firm ground; however, this horse has shown form on all goings. DELACROIX and CAMILLE PISSARRO will suit this faster ground as well. Notably, SOSIE is likely to lose out with the current going. The French Derby winner would suit slightly softer ground.

Distance

With this being a mid-distance race, stamina will play a large part in the result. This is not helped by the climb to the winning post. Runners in this year’s race that should not be affected by the distance include OMBUDSMAN, DELACROIX and SOSIE. The other three runners do have a question mark over the distance. While CAMILLE PISSARRO suits the ground, this horse has only won once at this distance, with the only other win coming over 7 furlongs. As for RULING COURT and HOTAZHELL, neither has run over the one-mile distance, with both getting wins over that distance. RULING COURT has won the Betfred 2000 Guineas and the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan. A very classy horse that, despite not running over the Eclipse distance, has won by large distances when winning over a mile.

Jockey and Trainer

The influence of jockey and trainer combinations on the Eclipse Stakes is well-documented, particularly under varying ground conditions. Over the past decade, the Gosden stable has dominated the race, winning four times since 2015, including recent victories with horses that thrived on good-to-firm ground, highlighting their ability to prepare top-class contenders for firm turf. William Buick, frequently partnered with the Gosdens, has ridden to victory in the Eclipse twice in the last seven years, showing a strong affinity for navigating the fast-paced, tactical nature of the race on firmer surfaces. Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien has secured three wins since 2012, often capitalizing on his horses’ weight allowance and adaptability to good or good-to-firm conditions, especially with his younger runners. His leading jockey, Ryan Moore, boasts a 35% strike rate at Sandown on good ground, underscoring the strategic edge he brings in these conditions. Collectively, these statistics suggest that experienced jockey-trainer partnerships with proven success on firm ground—like Buick-Gosden and Moore-O’Brien—are likely to hold a significant advantage in the 2025 Eclipse Stakes if the going remains good to firm. In terms of this race, the Ryan Moore-O’Brien partnership will bode well as DELACROIX is currently second in the market.

In conclusion, the 2025 Eclipse Stakes appears finely balanced, with several key factors shaping the likely outcome. Age trends favour the three-year-olds for each-way value, although experienced four-year-olds like the favourite Ombudsman remain strong contenders. The going of good to firm suits speed and stamina, giving an edge to horses such as Ombudsman, Delacroix, and Camille Pissarro, while softer-ground specialists like Sosie may struggle. Distance considerations further highlight the stamina and class of certain runners, with some newcomers to the mile-and-a-quarter trip facing questions, yet still possessing strong credentials. Finally, the proven strength of top jockey and trainer combinations—particularly the Buick-Gosden and Moore-O’Brien partnerships—could prove decisive, especially given their past success on firm ground at Sandown. Taken together, these elements suggest a competitive race where tactical acumen, adaptability, and form on firm ground will be crucial to victory.

Delacroix to win

Ruling Court E/W