First Stakes Win for María Schneider: Dreams Achieved, More to Come

With the Support of Stud Chúcaro’s and Luis Sánchez, Young Jockey María Schneider Shines at Stakes Level Aboard Sabiyano; young talent making her presence felt

María Schneider and Sabiyano Proved a Perfect Match / HLP

LA PLATA.- July 10, 2025, will forever be etched in the life and career of María Eugenia Schneider, one of the latest women to join the colony of jockeys and apprentices riding at Argentina’s leading racetracks.

Born in Santa Fe, she spent most of her early career riding in the provinces, based at Hipódromo Independencia in Rosario, where she graduated from the jockey school. She later decided to take a big step forward, moving to Buenos Aires in search of greater opportunities.

Since her arrival she had been gradually making her presence felt, but never like she did this Thursday, when she achieved her first stakes victory aboard Sabiyano in the Clásico 9 de Julio - Día de la Independencia (G3), the feature of the afternoon at La Plata. It was a dream debut at the group level, guiding the son of Fortify to a victory she will cherish forever.

Interviewed by Daniel Sinegub for the track’s closed-circuit broadcast, Schneider recapped the race: “The race unfolded beautifully and without problems. We had planned to ride him a little differently, but he wanted to be comfortable among the leaders, so I let him be. We thought he might settle a bit further back, but he adapted quickly to the track, and that ended up playing in his favor. He finished strongly and had plenty left.”

Regarding her connection with Sabiyano, she added: “A fellow apprentice usually gallops him in the mornings, but when it’s something more formal or fast, I get on him sometimes, so I knew him well.”

Schneider had her first official ride in 2020 and has since tallied 48 wins from 451 starts, with a solid 10.6% strike rate, a high figure for an apprentice.

“I studied at the school in Rosario and then came to San Isidro, where I also trained under Edgardo Gramática, who helped me a lot. Now I’m seeing the fruits of all that work, alongside the teachers who teach you, explain things, and give you advice that you later apply… and, as you can see, it ends up working,” she said with a smile.

From the pioneering days of Marina Lezcano, to current standouts like Lucrecia Carabajal and Andrea Marinhas—both still active and undisputed references in Argentine racing—María Schneider is now forging her own path. With talent, dedication, and an opportunity seized to perfection, she is starting to write her story.

Her first stakes win photo came aboard Sabiyano. That July 10 will be engraved in her memory forever. Now, it’s time to dream of so much more.