Juan José Caligiuri Finds His Passion in Racing

Juan José Caligiuri, breeder and owner, and one of the leading figures behind Stud-Haras Tres Jotas, passed away Thursday at the age of 73

Juan José Caligiuri Pictured with La Meninha in One of His Final Appearances at La Plata / HLP

Juan José Caligiuri, a respected figure in Argentine racing and co-owner of Stud-Haras Tres Jotas alongside Juan José Cifuentes and Francisco Niso Ulloa, passed away Thursday at the age of 73 after a long battle with illness.

A successful healthcare entrepreneur, Caligiuri found his greatest personal passion in Thoroughbred racing. What began as an owner's venture soon evolved into a deep commitment to breeding, with many high-quality fillies representing the Tres Jotas silks throughout the years. In his later life, Caligiuri embraced the breeding side of the sport with devotion and affection.

The sky-blue and gray silks of Tres Jotas debuted in 1988 and quickly made their mark on the Argentine racing scene. Early standouts like Souriante (Lyphmas) and Gap (Fort de France) opened the door to classic success, and in 1991, the stable celebrated its first Group 1 victory when the unforgettable Irina (Ringaro) captured the G1 Estrellas Juvenile Fillies at San Isidro.

That triumph laid the foundation for a dynasty. Under Caligiuri's stewardship, Tres Jotas would go on to produce and campaign top-level performers such as G1 winners Sebastiano (Southern Halo), Camire Toss (Egg Toss), Artemisa (Mutakddim), San Livinus (Mutakddim), Angiolo (Grand Reward), and Madonna Benois (Angiolo)—a homebred filly by Angiolo out of Marlotte (El Corredor), herself a granddaughter of Souriante. That victory in the G1 Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas was especially meaningful, coming as breeder, owner, and through a family line built by Tres Jotas.

The list of classic winners associated with Caligiuri is extensive and includes names such as La Comulganta (Grand Reward), La Leocadia (Louis Quatorze), La Cabanel (Grand Reward), Soyer (Senor Pete), Volterromo (Luhuk), Iturrino (El Compinche), Breda (El Corredor), Irenarca (Southern Halo), Acordanza (Luhuk), Almendro en Flor (Angiolo), Baldissera (Easing Along), Dandino (Roman Ruler), El Bosco (Grand Reward), and La Meninha (Le Blues), among many others.

According to Stud Book Argentino, Tres Jotas runners have recorded 488 wins to date, including 62 stakes victories—42 of them graded, and 9 at the Group 1 level.

Though Juan José Caligiuri is no longer with us, his passion for horses and horse racing will remain etched in the memories of all who knew him. A true man of the turf.