Aidan O’Brien has unveiled Diego Velazquez as a promising Cox Plate contender following a stunning performance in Ireland. The Frankel colt, owned by Coolmore and acquired for 2.4 million Guineas as a yearling, showcased his potential with a dominant seven-length victory in a Group 3 race at Leopardstown over 1800 meters.
Despite a disappointing run in the 2400-meter King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, O’Brien believes Diego Velazquez is better suited to shorter distances. “He’s made like a miler, so he’s probably an eight, nine or 10 furlong horse,” O’Brien said. “Ryan (Moore) said he’s got all the class in the world and all the speed in the world, so he could be a Cox Plate horse. He’s definitely not short of pace.”
This impressive display hints at Diego Velazquez’s potential for the Cox Plate, a race O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore won 10 years ago with Galileo colt Adelaide.