Carlos D. Etchechoury, The Gladiator’s Hat, and the hope of winning the Gran Premio Latinoamericano again

The trainer captured the 2005 edition with Don Incauto, and now will seek his first victory abroad, following the frustrating experience he endured with Don Inc in 2016

By Diego H. Mitagstein

Winning the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) abroad has never been easy for Argentine horses. Aside from the victories of Latency (Slew Gin Fizz) at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas, in Uruguay, and Sixties Song (Sixties Icon) at the Sporting Club de Viña del Mar, in Chile, most other attempts have ended in disappointment.

One of the most frustrating performances outside San Isidro, Palermo, or La Plata came in 2016 at Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when, after crossing the wire first, Don Inc (Include) was disqualified due to a treatment violation, handing the race to local runner Some In Tieme (Shirocco).

That moment left a lasting scar for trainer Carlos D. Etchechoury, whose frustration over what happened has never truly faded. A longtime leader of Argentine racing, he had already won the race in 2005 with Don Incauto (Roy), and this Sunday he will take another shot with The Gladiator’s Hat (Hat Ninja), alongside Thor Medina (Mootasadir), Argentina’s representatives.

Winner of the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1) at La Plata and runner-up to standout Obataye (Courtier) in the latest Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), the colt will represent Palermo and enters off a third-place finish in the Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz (G1).

The trainer arrived in Lima just hours ago and shared his initial impressions: “The horse has been doing well since he got here, very comfortable and well looked after. He adapted quickly in terms of eating and drinking, which is always very important. He’s also training well.”

This edition of the Latinoamericano at Monterrico will be different, as it will be run on turf rather than the traditional dirt surface, a track unfamiliar to the trainer.

“I saw the turf course and it looks very good,” he said. “I was told it might be a bit short, but it’s dense, well-cushioned, and not too high. The only thing the exercise rider mentioned is that it can be a bit uneven, but nothing out of the ordinary.”

The Gladiator’s Hat does not come off his best effort, and he has generally been considered more effective at 2400 meters than at 2000. Etchechoury addressed that point: “He was a bit tired—he had run in the Dardo Rocha, the Pellegrini, and we weren’t too keen on running in the Martínez de Hoz just to qualify. Maybe he felt the effects of that busy schedule, plus the drop in distance. But the opportunity came when Palermo nominated him to represent them at Monterrico. Now he’s more recovered and looks very well.”

In closing, Etchechoury reflected on the chance to once again represent Argentina on the international stage: “Representing the country in the Latino is the ultimate. After a Pellegrini or a Nacional, there’s nothing bigger to aim for in the region. Carlos Felice, the owner of The Gladiator’s Hat, is very happy—it’s a reward for his investment and his success. And the horse is a true professional, a son of Hat Ninja, who also raced for El Angel de Venecia.”

Dany dreams of lifting the trophy again with The Gladiator’s Hat. He knows the challenge will be tough, but everything he and his team could do in preparation has already been done.