O'Brien's Diego Velazquez strikes Group One gold in Deauville

Irish Examiner

20 hours ago

Diego Velazquez held off a late charge from Notable Speech to come out on top in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt was recently purchased by Sam Sangster and was running for the first time in the family's famous silks under Christophe Soumillon.
The bay was running alongside stablemate The Lion In Winter in the Group One, who was joined by Roger Teal's Dancing Gemini in making much of the running throughout the one-mile trip.
Diego Velazquez was always travelling well on the outside, however, and threw down his challenge in the final stages to see off a rapid finish on the inner rail from Charlie Appleby's Notable Speech, who was beaten just a head. Dancing Gemini was a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
The winning trainer said: "This is a breeding operation that produces very good two- and three-year-olds. He's a superb model, a willing horse, his last run was very good and he really came to himself last week."
Diego Velazquez's last run was in the Minstrel Stakes, named in honour of the late Robert Sangster's dual Derby winner who ran in the same colours carried to success at Deauville on behalf of his son.
Of that synchronicity, O'Brien added: "The Minstrel Stakes has often proved an excellent stepping stone - it's a sharp 1,400 metres, and you need to be sharp.
"If you think about Ballydoyle's history, and the history of these colours with horses like The Minstrel, who could have imagined that we would have a horse running in Mr Sangster's silks? It's just incredible, and I'm so delighted for Sam - truly thrilled.
"We thought he might be a horse for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Keeneland and then possibly the Breeders' Cup Mile. He loves fast ground and he's quick.
"A lot of money has been spent this week on his stallion career. But sometimes money isn't what matters. What they achieved today - you can't buy that, those are memories."
An emotional Sangster was thrilled at his new acquisition's success, telling Sky Sports Racing: "It means a lot, we're so lucky.
"MV (Magnier, former co-owner) is one of my oldest and greatest friends and when I came to him with the presentation of buying the horse to stand at the National Stud, he was fully supportive.
"We were lucky to buy him and we're even luckier now, that's for sure!
"He's an absolutely gorgeous horse, he's so tough, so genuine. He's a phenomenal mover and to be honest, when he came out of his box you could already see him at the stallion barn at the National Stud.
"I'm a little lost for words to be honest, but I'm so delighted. He deserved to get that Group One today and I'm just so delighted to be involved with him."
Despite defeat Charlie Appleby was still pleased with Notable Speech, who returned to form to an extent having failed to hit the heights of his three-year-old career so far this term.
He said: "We're delighted with how the horse ran. Of course it's frustrating to be beaten by so little, but the most important thing is to see him back to his best. The mile is his optimum trip. We tried dropping him back last time - sometimes you need to experiment.
"We'll probably go to Canada for the Woodbine Mile, and then head to the Breeders' Cup."
Roger Teal, trainer of Dancing Gemini, said: "He really ran exceptionally well. The ground was probably a bit too quick, and perhaps he didn't fully settle in the last 100 metres. It was still a top-class performance.
"Once again he showed huge ability, and a Group One win will come soon. He's also entered at Ascot but first we'll go to ParisLongchamp for the Prix du Moulin.
"We're hoping to find slightly easier going, that's the next target. He doesn't need it heavy but just ground with a bit more give."