No Breeders’ Cup run for retiring Diego Velazquez

There will be no trip to the Breeders’ Cup for Prix Jacques le Marois scorer Diego Velazquez, who has been retired after his run in Keeneland last month.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Frankel was bidding to book his ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile when appearing in the Coolmore Turf Mile in Lexington, finishing fifth under Frankie Dettori.

That will be the final act of a racing career that brought six victories from 12 starts and Group-race success at two, three and four, as well as the poignant victory at Deauville in the summer when carrying the famous Sangster silks in the Marois.

He will now head to the National Stud in Newmarket to take up stallion duties in 2026 and Sam Sangster, who heads up the syndicate which owns the horse, said: “A Group Two winner at two and three, with a very emotional Group One to his name at four, we’re incredibly proud to offer Diego Velazquez to breeders in 2026.

“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.”

Reflecting on his time at Ballydoyle, O’Brien added: “We always thought the world of Diego Velazquez.

“He has always been a very good horse and I’m so delighted for Sam, he’s a very legitimate and desirable horse, he deserved to win his Group One. He’s a great model and is determined and very brave.”

There may be no Diego Velazquez in Del Mar but the Sangster silks will still be seen aboard Brian Meehan’s Rashabar, who will bid for Breeders’ Cup Turf success.

Sangster added: “Rashabar is going for the Turf, the ground wasn’t ideal for him at Longchamp in the Prix Dollar, but he still ran his race. He’s in deep waters, but he has always held his own whenever we’ve thrown him in at the deep end.”