Legendary American jockey John Velazquez’s Naas visit ends in disappointment

Legendary American jockey John Velazquez’s first ride in Ireland ended in a disappointing fifth-placed finish.

Velazquez, one of the most decorated riders in the sport, made the most of a two-week holiday in Ireland by taking a ride at Naas on Wednesday.

The Puerto Rican, 52, rode De Janeiro for Dermot Weld in the Tinnakill House Maiden.

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Velazquez is a good friend of the horse’s owner Maurice Regan of Newtown Anner Stud, and the jockey also teamed up with Weld to great success in the past, including when guiding Zhukova to win Man o’ War Stakes in 2017.

But Velazquez was out of luck on the twice-raced maiden De Janeiro, who came home in fifth place at Naas.

Weld’s three-year-old was no match for the comfortable winner Over The Blues.

The Patrick Foley-trained horse was backed into a 2/5 favourite and was a comfortable two-length winner.

Meanwhile, the feature Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial went to the Johnny Murtagh-trained Hanalia (16-1).

Fourth first time out at Gowran Park, before winning at the Curragh, the Aga Khan-owned daughter of Sea The Stars was last for much of the early exchanges in the Listed contest, with Aidan O’Brien’s Greenfinch just in front of her.

Ben Coen never panicked, however, and his mount picked up strongly when switched for her run to ultimately come out on top by three-quarters of a length from Bellezza, with Greenfinch and Ryan Moore a short head away in third.

Murtagh said: “She always showed us plenty. She was one of the ones we really liked and were looking forward to her this year.

“She’s not big, but has a good turn of foot. When she relaxes early she has a good turn of foot and it worked out very well today.

“Ben said they went quick down to the bend and he was able to sit on her. When he turned in he had to look for a gap, but when he did she quickened up well and he said he loved the way she hit the line. She was tough as well.

“She’s got a bit of class and it’s nice to get a Listed winner because it looked a very competitive race this morning.

“We were coming here confident and she did a nice piece of work during the week. I was surprised she was 25-1 (opening price), but that’s the kind of race it was.

“Ben said he wouldn’t go a mile and a half just yet, maybe later. A mile- and a quarter is good for her at the moment.”

He added: “I entered her this morning in a Group Three over a mile and one at the Curragh in three weeks’ time. I’d definitely bring her back to a mile and one rather than going a mile and a half at this stage.”

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