‘He’d be the equivalent of Frankie Dettori in America’ – Legendary jockey Johnny Velazquez set to light up Naas

It’s not often that a rider with nearly 7,000 winners appears on these shores but Weld had made the most of Velazquez holidaying in Ireland as the pair team up in the Tinnakill House Maiden (6.30).

The Puerto Rican jockey is close friends with Newtown Anner Stud owner Maurice Regan and he will partner his three-year-old filly on her third start at the Kildare track.

“Johnny is one of the best riders in the world and he’s ridden nearly 7,000 winners. He has ridden for me in America successfully, there’s a Grade One race in Belmont Park called the Man o’ War Stakes,” Weld told Independent.ie

“He rode a filly for me called Zhukova in 2017 and she duly won it. He gave her a brilliant ride. He’s a good friend of Maurice Regan, who owns Newtown Anner Stud and owns the filly. Maurice is New York-based.

“It just kind of dovetailed that Johnny is over on a few weeks’ holidays in Ireland and that’s how it all happened. He’s a rider that has been highly successful for me in America.”

The master of Rosewell House was quick to highlight just how big of a superstar Velazquez is in the States.

“In America, he’d be the equivalent to our appreciation of Frankie Dettori. He’s won all of the American Classics, he’s won the Kentucky Derby three times. He’s an outstanding rider,” Weld said of the 52-year-old.

“He’s gone through the card a number of times in Belmont Park, which is extraordinary. Chris Hayes is my main rider, Johnny is only over for a very short holiday but we said we’d make the most of it.

“He rides for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien in America quite a bit. He’s one of the best riders in the world and he’s an amazingly fit guy.

“He keeps himself really fit and he rides winners all over America. West Coast, East Coast, on the dirt, on the turf, just a very talented rider and a really nice guy.”