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...
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker
A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.