History, Facts and Curiosities of the Dardo Rocha, The People’s Race

Did you know that a horse named Campesino won the very first running, and then again in 2000? Or that Derli Gómezand Francisco Leandro are the race’s winningest jockeys?

The La Plata grandstands will be packed next Wednesday / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The Hipódromo de La Plata is preparing to live its greatest celebration. As every November 19, the city will dress in its finest to welcome the G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha, whose 2400 meters—regardless of names—remain a cornerstone of Argentine racing and hold a special place in the hearts of fans.

Throughout its long history, the race has produced an impressive collection of anecdotes, records, and curiosities. The inaugural running dates back to 1915, though the race only became formally associated with the founder of the city of diagonals—Dardo Rocha—in 1934. It received its current title, Gran Premio Internacional Dardo Rocha, in 1960, having previously been known as the 19 de Noviembre, La Plata, Cincuentenario, Fundador Dardo Rocha, Antonio Cané, and Ciudad Eva Perón.

A Race That Changed Distances and Disappeared at Times

Before settling permanently at 2400 meters in 1979, the Rocha evolved through multiple distances:

• 1915–1934: 2300 meters

• 1935: extended to 3000 meters

• 1936–1938: back to 2300 meters

• 1939–1940: 2200 meters

• 1940–1964: 2300 meters

• 1965–1978: again at 3000 meters

The race was not run between 1927 and 1930, and it was also cancelled in 1976 and 1996.

Two Campesinos, 85 Years Apart

The first winner was Campesino, a son of Cyllene and Ravensbourne (St. Simon), owned by Andrés Ordoquí and bred by Haras Ojo de Agua.An astonishing fact? In 2000, another horse—also named Campesino, this time by Careafolie—won the race again, trained by Juan Esteban Bianchi and ridden by Peru’s Jacinto Herrera.

Cracks, Legends and Great Champions

The early great name to shine in the Rocha was El Aragonés (Ramazón), who in 1952 delivered the only win in the race for the legendary Uruguayan jockey Irineo Leguisamo.Over the decades, the list of winners has included titans such as Don Poggio, Niarkos, Ribereño, Dart, Farm, Frari, and many more.

Only four foreign-born horses have won the Rocha:

• Maidenform (Peru, 1971)

• Adyacente (Uruguay, 1991)

• Reraise (Brazil, 2008)

• Mr. Nedawi (Brazil), the only back-to-back winner (2010 and 2011)

He was not the first to achieve a double: Bernabé (Aprecoss) became the inaugural two-time winner in 1937–38.

The Heroines

Among the mares who conquered the Rocha are:Danzadora (1933), Miss Turpin (1941), Mija (1944), Sandalia (1951), Beti Alaj (1954), ¡Huly! (1956), Chusca(1960), Helda (1972), Micenas (1986), Potrialma (1995), among others—an illustrious list of queens.

The Great Riders

Impossible to forget the astounding run of Derli Gómez, who won five editions in six years with:

• Nice Ilusion (1984)

• Salvate Tel (1985)

• Micenas

• Egineso (1988)

• Magnificente (1989)

Or that the Rocha provided the final G1 victory in the magnificent career of Pablo Falero, with Sólo Un Momento(Orpen) in 2019.

In the present era, the statistical king of the Rocha is Brazilian ace Francisco Leandro, who boasts five victories:

• Idolo Porteño (2014)

• Emotion Orpen (2020)

• Zurán Zurán (2021)

• Miriñaque (2022)

• Treasure Island (2024)

A Race of History. A Race of People.

The Gran Premio Dardo Rocha is history—rich, deep, colorful.Revisiting it is always a pleasure.Watching it, even more.