Diego Velazquez stays unbeaten at Leopardstown

PA Sport Reporters
September 9, 2023 1:57 pm

O’Brien-trained Frankel colt takes Group Two honours.

Diego Velazquez maintained his unbeaten record in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown, although he was made to work reasonably hard by stablemate Capulet as Irish Champions Festival weekend got under way.

Bought for 2,400,000 guineas from the Tattersalls Book One sale in October, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Frankel colt had impressed on his debut at the Curragh, winning by almost five lengths.

Sent off the 8-15 favourite under Ryan Moore to enhance his reputation, he looked to be in the perfect position to strike three furlongs from home in the Group Two affair.

Two from two for Diego Velazquez in an exciting finish to the @KPMG_Ireland Champions Juvenile Stakes!
A 1-2 for Ballydoyle with Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore off the mark at @LeopardstownRC 🏇 #IrishChampionsFestival pic.twitter.com/oFr0i2Mb3y
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 9, 2023

However, Moore soon had to get more serious, with Seamie Heffernan appearing to have more up his sleeve in front on Capulet.

But showing a good attitude when asked, Diego Velazquez began to hit top gear and by the line had half a length in hand over Capulet, in a race won last year by Auguste Rodin.

Coral go 8-1 about Diego Velazquez emulating Auguste Rodin in next year’s Derby, and 16-1 for the Guineas.