Cox Plate Possible for 2.4million Frankel Blueblood

Tara Madgwick - Friday July 19

Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore combined to win the Group III Meld Stakes (1m1f) at Leopardstown overnight with expensive Frankel colt Diego Velazquez and the Cox Plate was mentioned as a possible target race for the flashy bay three year-old colt.

A Group II winner at his second start last season at two, Diego Velazquez was a good fourth first up in the Group I French 2000 Guineas  before being stretched out in trip, but a fading run at Royal Ascot in the Group II King Edward VII Stakes (1m4f) saw him dropped back in distance.

Advertisement

The move proved a winning one as Diego Velazquez powered to the line and ran right away from his rivals to win by seven lengths.

&ldq

uo;He ran a lovely race in the French Guineas and then we went to the French Derby with him, Ryan just said maybe over a mile and a quarter we rode him too forward and the pace of the race didn’t work out for him,” said Aidan O’Brien.

“We went to Ascot over a mile and a half and we felt very much coming from Ascot that he’s not a mile-and-a-half horse.

“He’s made like a miler so he’s probably an eight, nine or 10-furlong horse. He loved the ground.

“We ran him back quick because we wanted to know where to go with him in the autumn. Ryan said he has all the class in the world and all the speed in the world.

“He could be a Cox Plate horse and we’ll see what we do in between with him. He’s definitely not short of pace.

“We’re delighted with him. He has a lot of options and at least we know now what to do in the autumn.”

Purchased for 2.4million guineas, Diego Velazquez was the second highest priced yearling at Tattersalls October Book 1 in 2022.

Diego Velazquez was purchased by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 2.4million guineas from the Croom House Stud draft at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale where he was the second highest priced horse of the sale.

He is a three-quarter brother to Group I winner Broome and Group II winner Point Lonsdale (who are both by Galileo stallion Australia) and is the third stakes-winner from top producing Acclamation stakes-winner Sweepstake, who has left seven winners from 11 to race.

Advertisment
More Reading...
420k NZ Ready to Run Purchase Looks the Goods
Progressive three-year-old Sulek notched his first victory when landing the MRC Foundation Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday for trainer Dominic Sutton.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two win as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favouurite.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.
Kiwi Raider Pier Upbeat Ahead of Epsom
Co-trainer and part-owner Darryn Weatherley is taking a glass half full approach ahead of Saturday’s Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) after he came up with an awkward wide gate for Pier.
Almanzor Mare Chasing More Black Type
Group Two performer Mary Shan will be in search of an elusive stakes victory when she heads south to Hawera on Saturday where she will contest the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m).
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish.