Gustavo Calvente travels to Latinoamericano in search of a moment as iconic as Tetaze’s in 2020

Argentine jockey holds a leading chance in the 2026 edition of the race, where he will ride local runner Khamal, with whom he has already won the Derby Nacional (G1) and the Ortíz de Zevallos (G2) at Monterrico

By Diego H. Mitagstein

That image of Tetaze (Equal Stripes) standing in the irons, with Gustavo Calvente celebrating the colt’s victory and the Argentine flag in the background in the 2020 Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) at Hipódromo de San Isidro, has become one of the iconic snapshots of the continental race.

It was one of the happiest moments in the outstanding career of Gustavo Calvente, one he continues to build week after week, reaffirming his immense talent and, above all, his ability to handle pressure in the toughest situations. As they say in the stands, Pintita—as he was nicknamed as a kid—is a big-race jockey.

Another international adventure now awaits the rider, as next Sunday at Hipódromo de Monterrico, in Lima, Peru, he will partner Chilean runner Khamal (Mendelssohn), one of the local hopes in the 2026 Latino.

It will be the second straight season that Calvente competes in the continental event aboard a non-Argentine horse, having ridden Daktari (Daddy Long Legs), a Chilean representative, in 2025 at Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In recent times, Calvente has been on an international tour, riding in La Rinconada, Venezuela; Chile; Brazil; and Peru, where, also with Khamal, he captured both the Clásico Ricardo Ortíz de Zevallos (G2) and the Derby Nacional (G1) in 2025. That success adds to his victory in Uruguay’s Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1) last year with El Kodigo (Equal Stripes) and his participation aboard the outstanding champion of Juan Antonio in the Saudi Cup (G1).

“It makes me happy to be part of races like this—it’s wonderful. For a jockey, riding in a Latino is the ultimate, and in this case it will be on a very good colt, a local… He won the Peruvian Derby very well and is coming off a strong effort getting to know the turf,” the rider said on Objetivo Latino, by Global Media Turf, excited about the opportunity not only to compete but also to pursue a second victory in the race.

He added: “Khamal has always run well, and he showed me he’s maturing. I think in his last start he wasn’t at his best and we had some trouble with the race shape. Now he’s doing great and settling down, so I think we can run a big race. The whole team has a lot of confidence. I feel I’m coming in with a very live contender.”

On the expected race dynamics, he explained: “I’ve been studying everything, and I’m lucky to know most of the rivals because I’ve faced them before—in Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Khamal usually races handy, he won’t give away much ground; he always helps you. There are good horses—the Chileans, the locals, the Argentines—all with credentials you have to respect. These are always tough races, and the key is to arrive in good shape and healthy.”

“Khamal had a bit of temperament, but once I got to know him, we improved. He relaxed and moved forward. He has a big stride, a lot of speed. His acceleration is strong—that’s his main weapon; his turn of foot really makes the difference. He sits close and when you ask him, he quickens sharply, something that can play in his favor over the short stretch at Monterrico. It’s definitely a strength.”

Gustavo Calvente will head to Monterrico with confidence and the hope of delivering another international success. At this point, it’s become something of a trademark for him.