Could Labrado Set a Historic Record in the Clásico Paraguay?

Winner of the last three editions of the race, he will attempt to break new ground—looking at those who came close and the horses worldwide that have posted similar or superior marks…

Labrado will aim to achieve a feat over the Porteño mile / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

When Labrado breaks from the gates in the Paraguay (G3) on Monday at Palermo, he will be chasing a mark unprecedented in Argentine racing: winning the same classic for a fourth consecutive season.

Achieving such a feat requires more than sheer racing ability—it demands soundness, consistent form, and, of course, a measure of luck to make such an attempt possible.

The Le Blues colt captured the Paraguay in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and this Monday he faces several formidable opponents, including Emmanuel, who recently defeated him decisively in the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint (G1), and Bailarín de Venecia (Angiolo), who returned to action under new hands to score by several lengths in the Clásico Diamond Jubilee.

Many horses in Argentina have won the same classic three times—sometimes not consecutively—but none have reached the four-time milestone. Will the Bonetto trainee be the first?

A review of past champions brings up several memorable names. Spiny (Ringaro) celebrated three wins in the Venezuela; Wally (Southern Halo) did the same in the Estrellas Sprint (G1); Royal Martial (Royal Accomplice)prevailed three times in the 25 de Mayo de 1810 (G2) in La Plata; Che Maga (Violence) scored a treble in the Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G3); Ordak Dan (Hidden Truth) in the 25 de Mayo (G1); Try Twice (Hat Trick) in the Ciudad de La Plata; Life of Victory (Incurable Optimist) in the Progreso (G3); while sprinters like Tristeza Cat (Easing Along) and New Dandy (New Noble) triumphed four times in the 9 de Julio, when it was still a G1 over 2400 meters. These examples highlight the remarkable consistency needed to achieve such feats.

In South America, there are cases of horses winning the same race four times. Chilean Last Impact (Stuka) won the Verano - Arturo Cousiño L. in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010; the legendary Old Boy (Oran) captured the Gran Premio Internacional de Chile from 1914 to 1917 and the Gran Premio de Honor in the same seasons; more recently, Papelón (Monthir) scored in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 in the Clásico Club Hípico de Santiago Falabella (G1); and in Maroñas, Uruguay, the exceptional Rainha Pioneira (Pioneering) won the Clásico Asociación de Criadores de SPC and the Clásico Rufino T. Domínguez four times each.

The world record for wins in a single classic is held by Leaping Plum (Lightning Leap), who won eight editions of the Grasmick Handicap at Fonner Park, USA, from 1995 to 2003, the last victory coming at age 12. Remarkably, he competed in the race ten times, finishing third in 2002 and fourth in 2004, which would be his final outing.

Other historic benchmarks include Kelso (Your Host), the legendary gelding who won the Jockey Club Gold Cup five times (1960–1964); superstar Forego, by Argentine-bred Forli (Aristophanes), who won the Woodward Stakes (G1) from 1974 to 1977; the incomparable Goldikova (Anabaa), triumphant in the Prix Rothschild (G1) in 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2011; the unique Winx (Street Sense), who captured the Cox Plate (G1), Chipping Norton Stakes (G1), and George Ryder Stakes (G1) four times each; and the iconic Yeats (Sadler’s Wells), hero of the Ascot Gold Cup (G1) from 2006 to 2009.

In just a few days, Labrado will have the chance to make Argentine racing history and attempt to win the same race for four consecutive seasons. Can he do it? Will he earn a place among the world’s greats? The challenge is immense, but for a horse of his caliber, far from impossible.