Diego Velázquez surprises for Sangster to win France Group 1

Racing for a new owner with the nostalgic Sangster name, Ireland-based Diego Velázquez got his first Group 1 win Sunday in the Prix Jacque Le Marois at Deauville, France. But it was without some nervous moments at the end of the US$1.17 million turf mile.

The 4-year-old Frankel colt trained by Aidan O’Brien outdueled Dancing Gemini through the final furlong and had victory in sight in the last sixteenth of a mile. But he still had to deal with the extraordinary late burst of speed from England colt Notable Speech, who flew home along the rail only to be denied by a nose as Diego Velázquez held on to win at odds of 12-1.

Notable Speech (5-1) was second, and Dancing Gemini (6-1) finished third, another three-quarters of a length behind.

The winning time was 1:34.23 without a run-up over good to soft ground. The race covered 1,600 meters, 10 yards short of a mile.

For jockey Christophe Soumillon, it was his fourth win in the race following successes aboard Whipper in 2004, Makfi in 2010 and Excelebration for O’Brien in 2012. For O’Brien it was his second victory in Normandy’s top summer race.

Diego Velázquez was acquired from Coolmore this week by one of the most famous owners international racing. Sam Sangster began his career in racing in 2007 when he moved from the U.K. to Australia to gain first-hand experience across the industry. Over the course of three years, he worked in every area of the business from racecourses and stud farms to the sales ring alongside leading agents. During this time, he apprenticed under bloodstock agent Peter Ford, accompanying him to the major sales in Australia, America and Europe.

On his return to the U.K. in 2010, Sangster launched the media company Sirecam Europe, which has grown into one of the best-known media providers in the international Thoroughbred industry.

A year later Sangster branched into racing syndication, collaborating with Group 1-winning trainers such as Brian Meehan, Charlie Hills and Hugo Palmer, enjoying considerable success.

Sangster comes from one of the most influential families in modern Thoroughbred history. His father Robert Sangster was one of the three brethren who founded Coolmore alongside John Magnier and Vincent O’Brien.

A pioneering figure in international racing and breeding, Robert Sangster owned and bred more than 100 Group 1 winners, including 27 Europe classics. Legendary horses such as Sadler’s Wells, Alleged, Detroit, Golden Fleece, The Minstrel, El Gran Señor, Rodrigo de Triano and Balanchine were among his champions. Many continue to shape the pedigrees of blue-blooded Thoroughbreds around the world.

Sangster’s brothers have also carried on the family tradition. Ben Sangster owns and manages Manton Stud, where he and his wife Lucy oversee a high-class broodmare band. Adam Sangster is principal of Swettenham Stud in Victoria, Australia, home to some of the country’s leading stallions.