At Gávea, Sinsel Delivers a Perfect ‘Rehearsal’ on the Road to the Latinoamericano

On the Same Track, Distance, and Nearly the Same Time as the Big Target, Rafael Steinbruch’s Horse Made It Clear He’s Ready for October

Sinsel Shines at Gávea as the Latinoamericano Awaits / JCB / SYLVIO RONDINELLI

GÁVEA, Brasil (Special for Turf Diario).- If anyone needed proof that Sinsel is currently the horse to beat ahead of the 41st Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1), they got it this Monday at Hipódromo da Gávea. The bay from Stud Red Rafa turned the race into a true rehearsal for the big event: same track, same distance, nearly the same time, and, above all, the same authority expected when he tackles the continental showpiece on October 18.

The performance of the Alpha–Golden Land (Nedawi) colt in the Premio Especial Waldmeister was emphatic, just as he has shown consistently over time. Ridden with calm precision by Leandro Henrique, Sinsel asserted his dominance without need of the whip, relying solely on his innate class.

The strategy was clear from the start. Sinsel broke smartly, a challenge for a horse with such a spirited temperament. Henrique settled him in sixth early, keeping him relaxed while pacesetter Oviedo (Agnes Gold) set a strong tempo up front.

As they entered the far turn, alarms went off for the rest of the field. Sinsel was eager, seeking a clear path to launch into the stretch. At that point, U Said I Do (Verrazano) was closing in on the leader, but the Luiz Esteves-trained colt, traveling wide, was ready to strike.

Henrique, calm and measured, guided him forward gradually. With minimal cues, Sinsel surged past Oviedo midway down the final stretch, taking command decisively. From there, victory was never in doubt. The closing meters were nearly a procession, giving the crowd a chance to savor the exhibition.

The race caller perfectly captured the mood in Gávea: “He’s ready, prepared, and wants the Latino.” Words that reflected exactly what the Brazilian star demonstrated.

Beyond the result, the key takeaway was the impression Sinsel left: he arrived and exited the track with the poise of a horse fully aware that the true challenge awaits in October—same Gávea, same 2000 meters, and the continent watching. Monday’s performance was just a preview, but one worth its weight in gold.

With Leandro Henrique riding in top form and Luiz Esteves’ expert training behind him, Sinsel positions himself as Brazil’s strongest contender to defend home advantage in the Latino 2025. Expectations are high, but confidence is even higher. When a horse conveys such authority, it feels like the target is within reach.

October is approaching, and if the “rehearsal” offered any conclusion, it’s that Sinsel—already a winner of the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1)—is already running with his sights set firmly on October 18.