El Latino is now complete: the Argentine and Uruguayan contenders have arrived at Gávea

Vundu, Need You Tonight, and Olympic Oympic are already in Barn 11 at the Villa Hípica, all in perfect condition

RÍO DE JANEIRO, Brasil (Special for Turf Diario).- With the early Friday arrival of the Argentine and Uruguayan representatives, the international contingent for the 41st Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1)—set for Sunday, the 18th, at Hipódromo de Gávea in Rio de Janeiro—is now complete.

The flight from Buenos Aires brought Vundu (Suggestive Boy), two-time winner of the preparatory races at San Isidro, and Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja), carrying the highest rating in the field (116), completing the strong Argentine lineup. Also on the same shipment was the Uruguayan entry Olympic Olympic (Alpha), representing Haras Reginaunder the care of trainer Roberto Solanés.

The horses landed in Rio de Janeiro in the early hours and, after completing standard health checks and protocols, were transported to the International Villa Hípica at the Jockey Club Brasileiro, where they took their stalls in Barn 11, alongside the already-arrived Peruvian and Chilean runners.

Dr. Janaina Godinho Louzada, veterinarian for the Jockey Club Brasileiro, oversaw the unloading and transfer process, ensuring the horses’ welfare and optimal physical condition following the journey.

In an interview with Turf Diario, Enzo Gennoni, owner and breeder of Need You Tonight, said: “Both horses arrived in great shape after a long trip. We let them eat at 1:30 a.m. The flight went perfectly, and there was a bit of sweating on the truck, but overall everything went very well, thankfully.”

With this, all 15 foreign participants are now settled at Gávea: 9 from Peru, 3 from Chile, 2 from Argentina, and 1 from Uruguay, all in perfect condition and counting down to the big international day.

The Peruvian team includes Boudica (The Lieutenant), Enforceable (Tapit), Il Omare (Il Campione), Kanko (Newfoundland), Happy Man (Mendelssohn), and King Mo (Vancouver), all slated for the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). Meanwhile, Mathilde (Galapiat) and Amazonka (Mendelssohn) will contest the Gran Premio Marciano de Aguiar Moreira (G2), and Furioso Hit (Hit It a Bomb) will run in the Gran Premio Julio Capua (G2), all on turf.

Chile had already completed its arrival Thursday morning with My Way (Mendelssohn), Daktari (Daddy Long Legs), and Medjool (Constitution), who, like their rivals, have begun acclimating to Rio’s conditions.

With all contenders now on Brazilian soil, the 2025 Latino enters its final preparation stage. The atmosphere at Gávea is transforming: anticipation, excitement, and the unique thrill of an event that, once again, will bring together the continent’s top Thoroughbreds on a single track.