Group 1 winner Diego Velazquez retires to The National Stud
Diego Velazquez, winner of this season’s Prix Jacques le Marois (Gr 1, 1600m), has been retired and will take up stud duties at The National Stud in 2026.
Bred by Epona Bloodstock, the son of Frankel (Galileo) was bought by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 2.5 million guineas at Book 1 of the Tattersalls Yearling Sale.
Diego Velazquez is the 11th and final foal out of the stakes-winning Acclamation (Royal Applause) mare Sweepstake, making him a three-parts brother to Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr 1, 2400m) scorer Broome and multiple Group winner and Group 1-placed Point Lonsdale, both by Australia (Galileo).
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the colt raced for the duration of his career for Coolmore and partners, but was purchased by Sam Sangster Bloodstock a few days before he carried the iconic Sangster colours in his career-defining victory in the time-honoured Deauville Group 1 in August.
“A Group 2 winner at 2 and 3 years with a very emotional Group 1 to his name at 4, we’re incredibly proud to offer Diego Velazquez to breeders in 2026,” Sangster, co-owner and syndicate manager, said.
“Diego Velazquez has it all, a superb-looking son of Frankel from a great family, with an attitude to die for, he has all the attributes you need to be a success at stud.”
Anna Kerr, CEO of the National Stud, added: “Diego Velazquez ticks every box for British Breeders – physical, pedigree and performance. The market response has been hugely positive with a lot of enquiries already. This horse will be given every chance to succeed – he will be fully supported by the partners and we will be buying mares for him over the coming months.”
Diego Velazquez was a near five-length winner on his debut at two at the Curragh and followed up with a first Group 2 strike in the Champions Juvenile Stakes (Gr 2, 1m) at Leopardstown.
He began his three-year-old campaign last year with a close-up fourth in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr 1, 1600m) and bounced back later that term to capture the Meld Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 1f) and Solonaway Stakes (Gr 2, 1m) both at Leopardstown.
After finishing ninth in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot, Diego Velazquez returned to winning groove with a victory in the Minstrel Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) at the Curragh, which he backed up with his victory over 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Notable Speech (Dubawi) in the Prix Jacques le Marois.
Diego Velazquez fee will be announced in due course.