Diego Velazquez Back to Winning Ways in Group 2 Minstrel Stakes

Diego Velazquez (4c Frankel – Sweepstake, by Acclamation) returned to top form on Sunday with a determined victory in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

The son of Frankel, bred by Epona Bloodstock and trained by Aidan O’Brien, was prominent throughout in the hands of Ryan Moore holding off challenges on all sides and ultimately denying East Hampton by a neck over the seven-furlong trip. It was a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure for the classy colt following a luckless run in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“He’s a beautifully bred colt who’s really come into himself,” said O’Brien. “The team at home were delighted with how he was training since Ascot and Ryan gave him a perfect ride.”

Owned by the partnership of Coolmore, Westerberg, and Peter Brant, Diego Velazquez holds multiple Gr.1 entries including the Sussex Stakes, City Of York Stakes, and Irish Champion Stakes.

He is out of the stakes-winning Acclamation mare Sweepstake, and is a brother to Gr.1 winner Broome (Australia).