Aidan O'Brien bagged another Group 1 winner at Deauville on Sunday when Diego Velazquez just held off the fast-finishing Notable Speech to land the Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile.

It was a great result too for the National Stud in Newmarket which, just days earlier, was named as the farm where the winner will eventually stand, following a deal between Coolmore and Sam Sangster Bloodstock.

Indeed, Diego Velazquez carried the Sangster colours at Deauville where he was the apparent O'Brien second string as stable jockey Ryan Moore was retained to ride The Lion In Winter.

The latter made most of the running before folding quite tamely when Dancing Gemini headed him about two furlongs from home. Diego Velazquez was travelling well on the leader's outside under Christophe Soumillon and eventually got past Dancing Gemini with half a furlong to run. The drama was not over, however, as Notable Speech flashed home fastest of all after being short of room at a critical stage and forced a photo-finish. Dancing Gemini was a fine third, with Docklands fourth, and they were nicely clear of the remainder.

A four-year-old by Frankel, Diego Velazquez was bred by Denis Brosnan's Epona Bloodstock and sold for 2.4 million guineas to Coolmore and White Birch Farm as a yearling at Tattersalls. He closely related to Broome and Point Lonsdale.

He was a Group 2 winner at two, three and four years prior to landing his first Group 1 today.

The winning trainer said: “He’s a superb model, a willing horse, his last run was very good and he really came to himself last week.”

Diego Velazquez’s last run was in The Minstrel Stakes, named in honour of the late Robert Sangster’s dual Derby winner who ran in the same colours carried to success at Deauville on behalf of his son.

Of that synchronicity, O’Brien added: “The Minstrel Stakes has often proved an excellent stepping stone – it’s a sharp 1,400 metres, and you need to be sharp.

“If you think about Ballydoyle’s history, and the history of these colours with horses like The Minstrel, who could have imagined that we would have a horse running in Mr Sangster’s silks? It’s just incredible, and I’m so delighted for Sam – truly thrilled.

“We thought he might be a horse for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Keeneland and then possibly the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He loves fast ground and he’s quick.

“A lot of money has been spent this week on his stallion career. But sometimes money isn’t what matters. What they achieved today – you can’t buy that, those are memories.”

An emotional Sangster was thrilled at his new acquisition’s success, telling Sky Sports Racing: “It means a lot, we’re so lucky.

“M.V. (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 1 today and I’m just so delighted to be involved with him.”

Despite defeat Charlie Appleby was still pleased with Notable Speech, who returned to form to an extent having failed to hit the heights of his three-year-old career so far this term.

He said: “We’re delighted with how the horse ran. Of course it’s frustrating to be beaten by so little, but the most important thing is to see him back to his best. The mile is his optimum trip. We tried dropping him back last time – sometimes you need to experiment.

“We’ll probably go to Canada for the Woodbine Mile, and then head to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Roger Teal, trainer of Dancing Gemini, said: “He really ran exceptionally well. The ground was probably a bit too quick, and perhaps he didn’t fully settle in the last 100 metres. It was still a top-class performance.

“Once again he showed huge ability, and a Group 1 win will come soon. He’s also entered at Ascot but first we’ll go to ParisLongchamp for the Prix du Moulin.

“We’re hoping to find slightly easier going, that’s the next target. He doesn’t need it heavy but just ground with a bit more give.”