Gustavo Calvente wrapped up a stellar year, posting five G1 victories, including two abroad

The rider sealed a brilliant 2025 by guiding Earth God to victory in the G1 Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena

Gustavo Calvente celebrates his fifth Group 1 success of 2025 aboard Earth God / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

This was no ordinary victory. Earth God’s success in Saturday’s Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1) at San Isidro, staged as part of the outstanding Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) program, carried a deeper significance. It served as the ideal closing chapter to an exceptional season for Gustavo Calvente, one of the most consistent and respected riders on the Argentine and South American scene, who in 2025 firmly established himself as a leading international force.

The year could hardly have begun in more emphatic fashion. In Maroñas, Uruguay, Calvente guided El Kodigo to victory in the Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1), a performance that not only crowned him on one of the continent’s grandest stages but also propelled the son of Equal Stripes onto the global map. That triumph ultimately earned El Kodigo a berth in the Saudi Cup (G1) at Riyadh, the richest race in the world, and set the tone for a season that would continue to gather momentum.

Calvente’s calendar soon extended beyond borders once again, this time to Peru, where he partnered the Chilean-bred Khamal (Mendelssohn) to victory in the Derby Nacional (G1) at Monterrico. That success came on the heels of their earlier win in the Clásico Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos (G2), further underscoring Calvente’s adaptability and his ability to deliver on the biggest stages across the region. It was a commanding display that confirmed this was no fleeting hot streak, but rather the product of a rider operating at the height of his powers.

Back home in Argentina, the major prizes continued to fall his way. With Acento Final (Treasure Beach), Calvente captured the Copa de Oro (G1) at San Isidro, one of the most demanding contests for older stayers on the local calendar. Once again, his trademark race sense and composure under pressure were on full display.

Then came Earth God, another cornerstone of his unforgettable campaign. The partnership first struck gold in the Gran Premio Palermo (G1), before delivering the definitive flourish with Saturday’s Anchorena triumph, completing a season that bordered on perfection.

After crossing the wire at San Isidro, Calvente spoke with Global Media Turf, visibly emotional and flanked by his children Olivia and Rocco. His words reflected not only sporting success, but also the deeply human side of a year that will long be remembered.

“It was very hot, an exhausting day with lots of races,” he said, “but I’m here with my kids, my niece—being with them makes everything easier.” Family, he made clear, remains a vital anchor amid the demands of elite competition.

Reflecting on Earth God’s performance in the Anchorena, Calvente offered a concise and insightful assessment. “I had a great horse, who always traveled easily and had a smooth trip,” he explained. “They went quick early, but our idea was to settle and not get caught up in the fight. In the stretch he really finished strongly—he’s very brave.”

Asked to put his remarkable 2025 campaign into perspective, Calvente was both candid and emphatic. “It’s been an incredible year,” he said. “Extraordinary, and very hard to repeat.”

Few would argue otherwise. With five Group 1 victories—two of them achieved abroad—Gustavo Calvente left his mark on the continent’s most prestigious races and confirmed his status among the elite riders of his generation. As the calendar turns, 2025 will stand as one of the brightest chapters of a career built on consistency, skill, and an unyielding passion for the sport.