Gran Oriente Earns Breeders' Cup Berth With Club Hípico de Santiago Victory

The son of Classic Empire stamped his ticket to the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar this November with a determined victory over Día de Otoño

Gran Oriente Punches Ticket to Breeders’ Cup With G1 Victory / JAIME CORTES P.

SANTIAGO DE CHILE, Chile (Special for Turf Diario).- With a devastating late surge in the final 200 meters, Gran Oriente established himself as the new king of Club Hípico de Santiago this Sunday, scoring a brilliant win in the Clásico Club Hípico Falabella (G1-2000m, turf). The victory guarantees his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), set for November 1 at Del Mar in California.

The dark bay from Stud Don Simón, trained by José Álvarez and ridden with precision by Joaquín Herrera, was the star of a thrilling race. Starting from post 13 in the second tier, Gran Oriente quickly found an inside position, conserving energy and preparing his run. Coming into the stretch, advancing from seventh place, he powered past the competition with authority to hold off the late charge of the filly Día de Otoño (Mendelssohn), winning by a length in an impressive time of 1:57.71.

By the son of U.S. sire Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), this marked Gran Oriente’s third victory in 10 career starts, returning to the winner’s circle after nearly a year. His last win was in June, and he had finished tenth in the Gran Premio Hipódromo Chile (G1) on May 3, a 2200-meter race on dirt at Hipódromo Chile. This was also his first start on turf since August.

Early pace was set by My Way (Mendelssohn) and Lonwhite (Mendelssohn), while the Don Simón runner settled close to the rail. In the stretch, Gran Oriente overtook the frontrunner Cassis Violeta (Midshipman), the 2024 two-year-old champion, and held off Día de Otoño’s rally. The favorite Medjool (Constitution) closed well from behind to finish third, 1 ½ lengths back, with Cassis Violeta holding on for fourth.

Thanks to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series’ Win and You’re In program, which awards automatic and expense-paid entry to winners of 93 qualifying races worldwide, Gran Oriente will have his expenses covered to compete in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) over 1600 meters on the turf at Del Mar. Additionally, a travel stipend is provided as he is based outside North America.

Bred at Haras Paso Nevado, Gran Oriente is a grandson of G3 winner Oshawa (Scat Daddy), who produced the notable El Oriente (Practical Joke), winner of the Tanteo de Potrillos (G1).