Haras Abolengo: Star-Quality Genetics Highlight Historic Sale

On Tuesday, July 1, at San Isidro, a new edition of the Gran Venta Estrellas will take place, featuring 50 juveniles carrying in their blood the legacy of the country’s most iconic breeding operation

Barto, one of the sons of Pneumatic that Abolengo will offer at auction this Tuesday/ JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Many think the name “Gran Venta Estrellas” (Great Stars Sale) derives simply from its timing, held in the days surrounding the Estrellas festival organized by the Fundación Equina Argentina. While that is partially true, it is only half the story. In reality, Julio Menditeguy and his team at Haras Abolengo curate this sale to offer yearlings whose bloodlines connect directly with champions bred on their lands who have left their mark on the Estrellas series.

This year’s edition takes place Tuesday, July 1, coinciding with the official birthday for Southern Hemisphere thoroughbreds. The venue will once again be the Tattersall at San Isidro, with (Arg) Sales as auctioneer. Pre-bidding opens this Saturday, offering customary discounts to early investors.

Fifty yearlings comprise the catalogue, featuring progeny by established stallions such as Equal Stripes (Candy Stripes), Cosmic Trigger (Lizard Island), Daddy Long Legs (Scat Daddy), Treasure Beach (Galileo), Dabster (Curlin), and Daniel Boone (Wild Event). Notably, a strong group represents the first crop of Pneumatic (Uncle Mo), whose arrival has sparked much anticipation.

Abolengo, crowned Argentina’s Breeder of the Year in 2020 and Pellegrini Award winner in 2021, continues to deliver top-level talent to the track. Recent stars include Intense for Me (Fortify), winner of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) before his export to Saudi Arabia.

The stud’s legacy in the Estrellas series is unparalleled, with champions like Intérprete (Farnesio), Mary’s Gold (Mutakddim), Infartame (Equal Stripes), Ever Peace (Alpha Plus), Valenti (Ringaro), Different (Candy Stripes), Esperada (Equalize), Espaciado (Equalize), Inca Noble (Ride the Rails), Contante (Intérprete), and Spice Boy (Acceptable), to name only a few, all bred on its expansive Capitán Sarmiento pastures.

The catalogue opens with Barto, a colt by Pneumatic out of Bamba Linda (Equal Stripes). This mare has already produced Bamba de Areco (Fortify) and is a full sister to South African G1 winner Bambina Stripes, who in turn produced G2 winner Legitimate (Dynasty). Bamba Linda is also a half-sister to G3 Bambello (Petit Poucet) and Bambali (Sunray Spirit), the dam of multiple G1 and G2 winners including Balompié (Equal Stripes), Balsamic (Equal Stripes), Bali Bay (Equal Stripes), and Bahama (Equal Stripes), whose daughter Barwoman (Safety Check) is a G3 winner in Uruguay.

Another expected highlight is Importe Exacto, by Cosmic Trigger out of Important Thing (Sunray Spirit), making him a half-brother to stakes-winning juvenile Importante Date (Expressive Halo), winner of the Clásico Congreve (L) at San Isidro.

Criminal Boy, also by Cosmic Trigger, brings particularly topical pedigree strength as his dam Criminal Mambo (Not for Sale) is a full sister to the multiple stakes winner I’m Moving On, who produced none other than Horse of the Year El Kodigo (Equal Stripes).

Lot 20, Everest (Daddy Long Legs), is the second foal of the brilliant Ever Beautiful (Exchange Rate), G2 winner of the Francisco J. Beazley and a half-sister to champion Ever Peace, G2 winner Ever Nice (Mutakddim), and Everquest (Asiatic Boy), dam of Peruvian G1 winner Mama Nanzy (Equal Stripes).

The family of the legendary Candy Ride (Ride the Rails), one of Abolengo’s most illustrious graduates, is also represented in several yearlings offered in this 2025 edition. Over the decades, the Gran Venta Estrellas has produced countless champions – and all signs suggest this Tuesday will continue that tradition.