The Joao Moreira partnered Obataye (BRZ) stormed to his third consecutive Gr 1
success when he beat The Gladiator’s Hat (ARG) by a length and a half in the 2025
renewal of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional, which took place on
Saturday, 13 December, at the San Isidro racecourse in Argentina.
Following victories in the Gr1 Grande Premio Matias Machline – ABCPCC
Classica at the Cidade Jardim racecourse in Sao Paolo in August and in the Gr1
Gran Premio Latinoamericano at Gavea in Rio de Janeiro in October, this was
arguably the Brazilian-bred five-year-old’s best performance.
Up against 16 opponents in a fiercely competitive renewal of Argentina’s most
prestigious race, Joao Moreira settled Obataye in midfield position, while Jazzy Frank
(Arg) set the early pace. When they left the final turn, The Gladiator’s Hat made his
move and went into the lead, but Joao Moreira had already pulled Obataye away
from the rail to get a clear run down the straight. When asked, he produced an
impressive turn of foot and surged to the front to give his connections a first victory at
the highest level outside his home country Brazil. A son of Courtier out of Sufri’n
USA, he completed the 2400m in 2:24.14 on ground that was called “normal”,
leaving The Gladiator’s Hat (ARG) a length and half behind in second place,
followed another length further back in third by Havana Cigar (BRZ).
“He is a brilliant horse that has given me some amazing moments on the track,” said
winning rider Joao Moreira. “He is getting better with every day and today, I knew he
wasn’t going to get beat.”
Trained by Antonio Marcos Oldoni for the Haras Rio Iguassu, with this victory,
Obataye has become the first horse to earn an automatic starting position in the 2026
Gr1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland next November through the
Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In”.
Brazilian trainer Antonio Marcos Oldini, who like his jockey, enjoyed his very first
Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini success, added: “ It’s a dream come true for any
trainer and I’m so grateful to God, my family and obviously to the horse who felt right
at home ever since we came to San Isidro. He is just amazing, really smart and very
relaxed.”
Owner Luis Felipe Pelanda, who is behind the Stud Haras Rio Iguassu, was also very
emotional when he declared: “I still can’t believe it, it’s like a dream and I’m
wondering if I’m going to wake up soon. Just being in San Isidro is a dream come
true and then on top of it to actually win the race is brilliant. The entire team has put a
lot of work into this great horse and today we got the fruits of that labour. He is
exceptional and I thank God for letting us come here to run the race and to win it.
Also, today, we equalled the record of the Brazilian horse Much Better who won the
same three races. We are exceptionally proud of this achievement.”
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