Colifato Novo and Vundu, a rematch that sparks the Gran Premio San Isidro
The G1 mile event attracted 9 entries, featuring four Grade 1 winners; What a Man will aim to defend his 2025 title, while Autorretrato is also listed among the contenders for the Gran Premio Jockey Club
Speed and stamina will meet once again in that territory where neither can be spared: the mile. The Gran Premio San Isidro (G1) promises to deliver another highlight on the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) card—scheduled for Saturday, October 3—with a list of 9 entries featuring 7 stakes winners, 4 of them Grade 1 champions. Quality, experience, and a pending rematch shape an extraordinarily compelling event.
The presence of champion Colifato Novo takes center stage. The son of Lenovo will have the chance to face Vunduonce more in a rematch between two horses that have turned the northern track's turf into the venue for their greatest triumphs.
For Colifato Novo, the distance serves as an ideal yardstick. Over this track and distance, he captured the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1) and the Gran Premio Dos Mil Guineas (G1), while also building much of his prestige against older horses by adding victories in the Clásico Bustillo (G2) and Clásico Ecuador (G2). His record features 9 wins—all at San Isidro—and a repertoire that blends the speed needed to excel over 1400 meters with the ability to sustain it as the distance expands.
Opposing him once more is a rival of proven class. Vundu, by Suggestive Boy, has won 9 of his 15 starts, anchored by a career-defining victory in the Gran Premio Estrellas Classic (G1). His runner-up finish in the Clásico Ecuadormade it clear that he can also make his presence felt over the mile, even if many of his best results came at longer distances. That meeting point between his versatility and Colifato Novo’s brilliance fuels the anticipation.
Yet reducing the Gran Premio San Isidro - Copa Dr. Melchor Ángel Posse to a two-horse race would be premature. What a Man comes prepared to defend the crown he claimed in 2025, fresh off a runner-up performance—he crossed the line first but was disqualified for interference—in the Clásico New Dandy over the Palermo turf. The son of Mastercraftsman brings plenty of credentials to demand a major role: besides last year's victory, he finished second in another edition of this very race as well as in the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1).
The fourth G1 winner in the lineup is Bronx, another specialist whose name commands respect. Victorious in the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1), the son of Que Vida Buena has also captured the Clásico Ecuador (G2), Clásico Bustillo (G2), and Clásico Pippermint (G2). His 6 victories at this venue speak to an affinity that serves as a valuable asset ahead of such a tough test.
The 3-year-old representation falls to Autorretrato, the sole sophomore on the entry list. The son of Angiolo holds a dual entry, also appearing among the contenders for the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1). His final destination will be one of the key decisions to watch: the mile against older horses or the 2000 meters against his peers.
Also entered is Don Griego, a highly efficient campaigner with six wins from nine starts. Winner of the Clásico Pippermint, the son of Long Island Sound will aim to regain center stage after finishing sixth in the Clásico Ecuador. Capitan Kid (Daniel Boone), meanwhile, comes off a third-place effort in that same race and brings experience from longer distances.
Completing the field are Full Keynote, a stakes winner by Full Mast, and Real World, a son of Cityscape on the rise: all three of his career victories have come over the San Isidro mile, including back-to-back wins in his last two outings.
Final entries and declarations remain to be finalized, but the initial picture looks exceptional. With Colifato Novo as the main benchmark, Vundu seeking revenge, and What a Man intent on holding onto his crown, the mile has all the ingredients to command full attention on Jockey Club day.
