The jockey dreams of riding the star runner next week in Riyadh and shares that the horse is traveling in outstanding condition
By Diego H. Mitagstein
Gustavo Calvente is no stranger to the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In 2021, he partnered with Miriñaque (Hurricane Cat), guiding the gray to a more-than-respectable seventh-place finish in the Red Sea Turf Handicap, one of the prestigious races during the Saudi Cup weekend.
Now, the seasoned jockey is packing his bags once again, this time with an even bigger mission: to give it all on the irons of El Kodigo in pursuit of victory in the world’s richest race.
Recognized as the top dirt horse in South America, El Kodigo will begin his journey to the Middle East this Monday, preparing to face some of the best horses on the planet on Saturday, February 22. As always, his trusted rider, affectionately known as “Pintita” by those closest to him, will be in the saddle.
Purchased by a local owner, El Kodigo will be one of two Argentine representatives in the Saudi Cup starting gate, and the race offers a tantalizing opportunity for revenge. He’ll meet Intense for Me (Fortify), who edged him out at the wire in the most recent edition of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1). Of course, the field also includes elite talents like Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), Laurel River (Into Mischief), Forever Young (Real Steel), and other global stars.
Calvente doesn’t mince words when discussing his mount: “El Kodigo is the best horse I’ve ever ridden.” And that’s no small statement from a jockey who has piloted his fair share of champions. Yet, he knows this challenge will be unique, with the added hurdles of a tight schedule and the long journey across hemispheres.
“No one expected a few days ago that he would be running such an important race, but here we are, getting ready for the challenge. He’s full of class, and I trust he’ll overcome any obstacles,” Calvente shared in anticipation.
El Kodigo completed his final prep on Sunday, breezing 1000 meters over the dirt at Palermo alongside Evros Tama (Evros). The work left Calvente feeling optimistic: “He went very well, as usual. He’s a remarkably sound horse, in great condition, and though the competition will be fierce, I believe he has the class to deliver a strong performance.”
Asked about the race, Calvente admitted one concern: “The drop back in distance is my only worry. He’s coming off a win in the Ramírez (G1) in Uruguay at 2400 meters. As a juvenile, he won the Polla de Potrillos (G1) at a mile, so he has speed, but he’s been conditioned for longer trips. It’ll come down to using his turn of foot and hoping for a fast pace, and with Laurel River in the mix, that seems guaranteed.”
The King Abdulaziz Racetrack holds fond memories for Calvente, who draws from his 2021 experience to strategize for El Kodigo. “It was a dream week with Miriñaque, an unforgettable experience. Although we competed on turf, we trained on dirt, and the surface there is ideal for El Kodigo—a bit deeper than ours but with good grip. It’s more like Maroñas than Palermo, and he’s excelled on both.”
Calvente, who recently celebrated one of his best years in Argentina, has kicked off 2025 with several stakes wins. After overcoming a significant health issue that sidelined him for months, the jockey has refocused his mindset, and the results speak volumes.
Now considered one of the top five jockeys in South America, Calvente evaluates the Saudi Cup: “El Kodigo has an exceptional record with five Group 1 victories, but this is a whole new level. I’m anxious for the moment to arrive, and I trust he’ll rise to the occasion. I’ve been studying the competition in Arabia, and Forever Young looks outstanding. The prospect of a fast pace gives me confidence. My only hope is that he handles the travel well, as he usually does, but this is a long trip with limited time to acclimate.”
The jockey is proud to be part of such a historic moment: “It’s an honor for our team to take South America’s best dirt horse to compete against the world’s elite in Saudi Arabia. No Argentine horse has run in the Saudi Cup before, and now there will be two of us. It’s a huge source of pride.”
As he prepares to leave for Riyadh on Sunday, February 16, Calvente reveals that a strong performance in Saudi Arabia could pave the way for an even greater opportunity: a return to ride El Kodigo in the Dubai World Cup (G1) in early April, an idea that has him equally excited.
Gustavo Calvente is ready to cross the world from Buenos Aires to ride the horse of his life in the world’s richest race. If the stars align, it could be a story worthy of a movie. And despite the challenges, the jockey dares to dream of the happiest photo finish of all.
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