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Stamina came to the fore when Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix got the better of Stanhope Gardens to win the Emirates Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Delacroix announced himself as a promising prospect for middle distances next season when showing a gutsy attitude following a lengthy battle with Stanhope Gardens in the Emirates Autumn Stakes.

Stanhope Gardens looked to have every chance of giving trainer, jockey and owner a group-race double at Newmarket when drawing alongside the longtime leader Delacroix at the two-furlong pole, but once eyeballed, Moore's mount wasn't for passing.

The winning margin was a neck with Sir Michael Stoute's Yarmouth winner Nightwalker four lengths behind in third. 

"He's improving and learning, and he got a bump early which just unnerved him a little bit," said Aidan O'Brien, who was winning the Group 3 prize for the first time. 

"He's progressive and that's why we are racing him and keeping him busy, and Ryan was much happier with him today. He's a tough, hardy horse who looks like he's going to get a trip, he's going to get middle-distance next year."

The 15/8 winner was cut to 8/1 (from 20s) for the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on October 26th and O'Brien confirmed a fairly quick turnaround could be on the cards. 

"You have to be very happy with him and Ryan said he could be a Futurity Trophy horse if we want, so we will see how he is and how it goes.

"I think next year, a mile upwards will be no problem; he's a big horse, he's learning, and he's obviously got a great pedigree."