From Salt Spring to Full Serrano, an Argentine story that continues to be written
Thirty Argentine-bred horses have logged 38 appearances and seven victories in the Breeders' Cup. At Keeneland, Full Serrano will seek another golden chapter and become the first to contest the event three times
By DIEGO H. MITAGSTEIN (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario in Lexington, Kentucky)
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (From a special correspondent).— Argentine history at the Breeders’ Cup is filled with legendary names, heartbreaking defeats, and adventures worthy of remembrance. It all began in 1984 with Salt Spring(Salt Marsh) in the inaugural edition, and this Saturday it will reach an unprecedented chapter at Keeneland: Full Serrano will become the first horse bred in the country to log three appearances in the series.
Through 2025, 30 different horses have recorded 38 starts, capturing seven victories courtesy of six stars. The first great heroine was Bayakoa (Consultant's Bid), owner of a memorable back-to-back double in the Distaff (G1) in 1989 and 1990. Paseana (Ahmad) extended the female dominance in 1992 and came within a head of repeating the following year, when Hollywood Wildcat (Kris S) denied her the victory while another Argentine, Re Toss (Egg Toss),completed the trifecta—a finish featuring two Argentine flags in the top three.
And extraordinary pages were still left to be written. The name Invasor (Candy Stripes) holds a place of its own. In 2006 at Churchill Downs, he defeated Bernardini (A.P. Indy) and Premium Tap (Pleasant Tap) to win the Classic (G1), the most coveted race on the card. Calidoscopio (Luhuk) made history in 2012 by taking the Marathon (G2) at 9 years old. Blue Prize (Pure Prize), fourth in 2018, returned in 2019 to reign supreme in the Distaff. Then Full Serrano added the seventh national victory with his resounding conquest in the 2024 Dirt Mile (G1) at Del Mar under Joel Rosario.
Yet the record books hold other unforgettable performances. Blue Stripe (Equal Stripes), who made her series debut in 2021, came within a nose of glory in the 2022 Distaff right here at Keeneland, where Malathaat (Curlin) edged her by the slimmest of margins, with Clairiere (Curlin) right on their heels. Indy Point (Indygo Shiner) finished third in the 2013 Turf (G1) behind Magician (Galileo) and The Fugue (Dansili); Different (Candy Stripes) occupied the same spot in the 1996 Distaff; and Didia (Orpen), after competing in 2023, finished third in the 2024 Filly & Mare Turf (G1) behind Moira (Ghostzapper) and Cinderella’s Dream (Shamardal).
There were also major names who failed to hit the board: Festin (Mat Boy) was the favorite in the 1991 Classic; Gentlemen (Robin des Bois) entered the 1998 Classic with tremendous prestige; Miss Linda (Southern Halo) contested the 2001 Distaff, finishing sixth in a race won by Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song). The list also includes Paradies (Logical, 1986), Criollito (Candy Stripes, 1996), Jazzy (Southern Halo, 2007 and 2008), Romp(Incurable Optimist, 2010 and 2012), Miss Match (Indygo Shiner, 2011), Suggestive Boy (Easing Along, 2012),and Ever Rider (Rider Stripes, 2013).
Special stories were not lacking either: Ordak Dan (Hidden Truth) ran in the 2015 Turf right here at Keeneland with Jorge Ricardo in the irons; Corona del Inca (Luhuk) took on the challenge of the 2016 Distaff and tragically lost her life after suffering a catastrophic injury during the race; Hi Happy (Pure Prize), Smart Choice (Grand Reward), and Vale Dori (Asiatic Boy) flew the flag in 2018. More recently came Che Evasora (Greenspring) and El Encinal (Il Campione), both in 2024, and Sarawak Rim (Remote), seventh in the 2025 Distaff as the latest Argentine to join the roster.
Bayakoa, Paseana, Invasor, Calidoscopio, Blue Prize, and Full Serrano authored the brightest chapters. The others are also part of a remarkable journey built by horses born thousands of miles from racing's grandest stages, sustained by the ambition to compete against the very best.
After finishing fifth in his title defense attempt in 2025, Full Serrano now finds himself back in Kentucky facing something no compatriot before him has ever done: stepping into the gate for a third time at the Breeders’ Cup. And with it comes the opportunity to give his nation another unforgettable afternoon.
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