Gustavo Calvente: "I have a good horse, and he’s going to give me his whole heart"
- Turf Diario
- Feb 20, 2025
- 3 min read
The jockey arrived in Riyadh and rushed from the airport to ride El Kodigo; his thoughts on the reunion and his expectations for the star ahead of the Saudi Cup (G1)
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent of Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
RIYADH, Arabia Saudita.- Gustavo Calvente admits he didn’t sleep after failing to board the flight that was supposed to bring him to this city on Tuesday night due to bureaucratic issues. Delayed but safe and sound, the Argentine jockey finally arrived in the early hours of Thursday morning and, straight from the airport, rushed to King Abdulaziz Racetrack to reunite with El Kodigo, the horse of his life. He climbed aboard for the morning gallop and dismounted with a beaming smile.
The entire local team of the Argentine star was eagerly awaiting him to confirm what they had already suspected: the horse was in perfect shape ahead of Saturday’s Saudi Cup (G1). And Calvente’s affirmative response sealed their hopes.
“It was complicated to leave, but we finally managed to sort things out, and I was able to travel the next day. I wanted to get here to ride the horse, and after doing so, I felt at ease. I found the same El Kodigo as always—it’s as if he’s at home, and that’s the most important thing. I needed to feel that, to connect with him, to see how he was, whether he had felt the effects of the trip or not,” he reflected in a mid-morning conversation, in front of the King Abdulaziz paddock.
He continued: “He’s in tremendous shape, physically perfect, and in great spirits. That’s the most important thing. We all had the feeling that he was doing very well—relaxed, happy, and maintaining his weight. I know he always gives everything, and as long as he’s feeling good, he will give his all. It’s an incredibly tough race, we all know that, but no one can take away our dream.”
Calvente has unwavering faith in El Kodigo, whom he never hesitates to call the best horse he has ever ridden. His confidence is clear when he speaks: “He has an incredible heart, even though we face plenty of challenges—the travel, the cutback in distance, and the toughest race imaginable. But I have my horse, and every time I’m on him, he gives me everything. I know that on Saturday, he will respond in the best way, and we’ll have a great race. After that, of course, we’re up against the best, but the dream is alive, and I’m incredibly excited after seeing how he is. He’s a fantastic horse who will not only make Argentina proud but all of South America in this race.”
Regarding how El Kodigo has adapted to the track, Calvente said: “It’s a deeper surface than Maroñas, which he loved. When we were training in Uruguay, he showed how much he liked it, and now I found him feeling great, moving perfectly. He likes it—it’s a sandy track, which has always suited him well, very different from Palermo, which is lighter. I expected this, and after what I felt today, my confidence in him putting up a strong performance has only grown.”
As for the post-position draw, where El Kodigo landed gate 13, Calvente commented: “I wasn’t too worried about the draw because there’s plenty of time to settle into position. In fact, I preferred an outside post given the shorter distance—we didn’t want him to feel pressured in the first few meters. I think it will suit him. The favorite, Forever Young (Real Steel), is on the outside as well, so hopefully, we get a good setup early on, which is the most important thing. I have a good horse, and I know he’s going to give me everything in the race—that’s what we have to trust in.”
“It’s a huge honor to be part of this event—it’s an achievement for any jockey. Everyone dreams of riding in the Saudi Cup. I believe this is the pinnacle.”
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