Aidan O’Brien’s Diego Velazquez proved a shrewd acquisition for new owner Sam Sangster, as he took the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville on his first run in the famous Sangster silks.

The purchase of Diego Velazquez by Sam Sangster had been well-documented throughout the week, with the striking son Frankel intended for a stallion career at the National Stud upon retirement. A four-time winner at Group level, the colt had struggled to break through at the top level and he went into Deauville relatively unfancied at 10/1.

Campaigned over a variety of different distances during his career, the straight mile appeared to suit the colt, who broke well and raced down the centre of the course early on before moving back toward the stand-side where the majority of runners were positioned. Settling in third behind The Lion In Winter, who had assumed the role at the head of affairs, and Dancing Gemini, jockey Christophe Soumillon asked his mount to close on the leaders and reached the front with half-a furlong to run. Notable Speech, who had been at the rear of the field, made quick late progress on the stand-side rail and almost snatched victory from Diego Velazquez, but the latter held on for victory by a head. Dancing Gemini was further three-quarter of a length back in third.

Sangster told Sky Sports Racing: "It means a lot, we're so lucky.

"MV (Magnier, former co-owner) is one of my oldest and greatest friends and when I came to him with the presentation of buying the horse to stand at the National Stud, he was fully supportive.

"We were lucky to buy him and we're even luckier now, that's for sure!

"He's an absolutely gorgeous horse, he's so tough, so genuine. He's a phenomenal mover and to be honest, when he came out of his box you could already see him at the stallion barn at the National Stud.

"I'm a little lost for words to be honest, but I'm so delighted. He deserved to get that Group One today and I'm just so delighted to be involved with him."

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien added: "He's a very good horse, he'd had a very good run the last day and I'm over the moon. He's been working brilliant, he's very tough and genuine. He's got good form at two and three years old and Christophe [Soumillon] gave him a brilliant ride."

Discussing the performance run of stablemate The Lion In Winter, O'Brien said: "He was a little bit green. He wasn't sure of himself in front, it was the first time he led so may have found it a little bit strange".

Charlie Appleby, trainer of the second-placed Notable Speech added: "You've got to take the positives out of a defeat and he's shown that he's right back up there on top

form again. On the back of that I'd say we'll head to Canada for the Woodbine Mile (Gr.1) and back to the Breeders' Cup.

"I said to William [Buick] you're either going to be a hero or a villain the way you'll have to ride him. He needs burying in the field. But, some days you'll get it and some days you won't and unfortunately he just had to wait for a stride or two, but he flew home as we expected."