Iván Monasterolo made headlines once again with a classic victory, continuing to enjoy a remarkable run of form

With Don Champagne in the OSAF, he notched his fourth stakes victory in just two weeks

Iván Monasterolo recorded his fourth stakes victory in just two weeks / HLP

LA PLATA.- A stretch of repeated triumphs continues for Iván Monasterolo, who guided Don Champagne to victory in the Clásico Organización Sudamericana de Fomento del Pura Sangre de Carrera (G3)—Tuesday’s feature at La Plata and the final major prep for the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1), set for its traditional date on November 19.

Just days earlier, Monasterolo had partnered Illa Alegre (Sabat Husson) to success in the Clásico Hipódromo Independencia de Rosario (G3) at the same venue, before adding two more prestigious scores at San Isidro—the Orbit (L) aboard Increpante (Sigfrid) and the Pedro Chapar (G3) with Colifato Novo (Lenovo)—each time riding for a different trainer.

This time teaming up with Carlos D. Etchechoury, conditioner of the Stud-Haras San Benito representative, the 2014 Apprentice Jockey of the Year celebrated his fourth stakes win in just over ten days, a remarkable run that left plenty of reason to celebrate.

The victory marked the 830th win of Monasterolo’s career. Speaking with Daniel Sinegub for the local broadcast, he said: “We won a really nice race. It looked tough on paper, but my horse had been facing a different class of rivals, and things went our way in the end.”

Commenting on the qualities of the Long Island Sound colt, he added: “He’s very calm and kind—you have to ride him all the way. He’s genuine but extremely laid-back, and if you ease up even a little, he slows down and just gallops along. But when you ask him, he responds.”

He closed the interview with a smile: “In the mornings, he’s the same—he works well, but you always have to keep after him a bit, otherwise he relaxes too much.”

Now working regularly with multiple trainers such as Eduardo Accossano, Carlos D. Etchechoury, and Nicolás Martín Ferro, Monasterolo continues to reassert himself week after week, recalling the days of his apprenticeship when he made headlines with his rapid rise through the ranks.

With top riders like Francisco Leandro and William Pereyra currently campaigning in Dubai, new opportunities are emerging at home—and Iván Monasterolo is making the most of every one, as he showed once again on Tuesday at La Plata.