'A son of Frankel, a Group 1 winner, it's incredible stuff' - National Stud-bound Diego Velazquez captures Jacques le Marois glory in Sangster silks

Sporting the Sangster silks made so famous by the likes of The Minstrel, El Gran Senor and Sadler's Wells, Diego Velazquez showed his Group 1 class with victory in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday.

Having donned the silks of Derrick Smith to multiple Group successes at two, three and four, this was a first Group 1 triumph for the Frankel colt. It was a timely update given it had recently been announced the four-year-old will stand at the National Stud from 2026, after being purchased by Sam Sangster on behalf of a high-profile syndicate. 

The National Stud's Joe Bradley said: "It's been an amazing day for everyone involved but especially Sam Sangster, who was the driving force behind this, and the syndicate people who came in behind him. It takes a lot of faith and bravery and that was rewarded today.

"We'll see what the rest of the year has to bring but we couldn't be more excited for the stud and everyone involved in it to have a horse like this retiring. A son of Frankel, a Group 1 winner, it's incredible stuff."

An emotional Sangster added: "Physically he’s all there, he’s all power and quite compact. Aidan said to me before the race his trip is a mile or a mile-one, so we knew he had that little bit of stamina up his sleeve. But he’s quick, he’s genuine, he’s tough; he’s a beauty. 

Diego Velazquez: Frankel colt struck Group 1 victory at DeauvilleCredit: www.carolinenorris.ie

"I’m very excited to be working with the team at the National Stud and I think he’s going to get a phenomenal book of mares. You’re surrounded by arguably the top stallions in Europe, with Frankel and Dubawi. So there is a fabulous pool of mares in the UK so hopefully he’ll get a good bite at the cherry. He’s beaten Group 1 winners today and he’s stamped himself one of the best in Europe, so it’s very exciting."

A three-parts brother to Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud scorer Broome and the high-class multiple Group scorer Point Lonsdale, both by Australia, this triumph was also the second elite-level winner for the trio's dam. Sweepstake, by Acclamation, has been a fine servant for Epona Bloodstock since they purchased her for $280,000 at the 2011 Keeneland November Sale.  

The Listed National Stakes winner and Group-placed performer has produced three stallion sons now as Broome is residing at Celikoglu Stud in Turkey, while Point Lonsdale is at Maine Chance Farm in South Africa.

Diego Velazquez cost a pretty penny at the sales, making a cool 2.4 million guineas to MV Magnier and White Birch Farm at Tattersalls Book 1 in 2022.

The four-year-old is the 39th top-flight winner for Frankel, whose other Group or Grade 1 winners this year include dual Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk, Irish 1,000 Guineas scorer Lake Victoria, Prix Vicomtesse Vigier winner Candelari and recent Sword Dancer Stakes victor El Cordobes. 

It was a good day in Deauville for Frankel as the Juddmonte titan also supplied Listed Prix Nureyev victor Damysus. The Wathnan Racing colt was bred by Newsells Park Stud and Merry Fox Stud and sold to Blandford Bloodstock for 460,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1 in 2023. The stallion is now the sire of 167 stakes winners overall. 

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