An Irish winner is likely one of the only a few issues absent from legendary John Velazquez’s glittering CV, however that might change at Naas June 26 when he will get the leg up on board the Dermot Weld-trained De Janeiro earlier than some potential rides on the Curragh this weekend on the Irish Derby competition.
One among racing’s largest international stars, the Puerto Rican-born Velazquez has partnered practically 7,000 winners and loved success on the Breeders’ Cup 20 instances, landed six American classics and has had 4 Royal Ascot winners. He was inducted into the Racing Corridor of Fame in 2012 and is North America’s all-time main jockey in purse earnings.
Regardless of being an everyday customer to Britain, the 52-year-old has by no means ridden in Eire, however he and Weld teamed up efficiently with Zhukova within the Man o’ Conflict Stakes at Belmont Park in 2017. They will hyperlink up once more a maiden race with the Newtown Anner Stud-owned De Janeiro.
Velazquez has sported the colours of the Regan family-owned stud earlier than, having partnered the Johnny Murtagh-trained Clounmacon when he completed down the sector in final 12 months’s Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Explaining the reasoning behind his presence at Naas, Newtown Anner Stud racing supervisor PJ Colville stated: “Johnny and Maurice Regan can be superb buddies they usually each stay in New York. He is on holidays right here together with his household. He has had a number of rides at Royal Ascot for us earlier than.”
Velazquez, who final rode at Belmont on Thursday, is out there for some mounts throughout the three-day Irish Derby competition on the Curragh, the place Colville stated he might carry the Newtown Anner silks once more.
“It is sensible for Naas. Johnny is clearly a world-class rider however he is a terrific man and actually good enjoyable,” he stated. “Hopefully, he would possibly get a experience or two on Derby weekend on the Curragh. I believe he is out there. We cannot have too many runners however we’ve got a few entries. We’d have the ability to put him up on one in every of ours this weekend ought to they run.
“Hopefully, his first experience right here generally is a successful one on De Janeiro. She ran effectively at Fairyhouse and Dermot is eager on her. She’s coming again in distance however you need to get the journey at Naas. She has an excellent pedigree being by Invincible Spirit out of Rio Carnival and her dam is a half sister to Kingman, so it will be nice if she might get her head in entrance.”
Naas normal supervisor Aidan McGarry stated: “We’re delighted to have a jockey of John Velazquez’s worldwide standing using at Naas. It’s a improbable alternative for racegoers to see him in motion. It is a beautiful card and he provides some additional star high quality for certain.”
Crimson Advocate and John Velazquez win the 2023 Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot Racecourse
