Juan Saldivia, from Butterfing to Cardo Castilla, for an ideal weekend

The trainer secured the Gran Premio de Honor (G1) and the Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier (G2) and holds two strong hands for upcoming top-level action

Juan Saldivia stands alone at the top, in more ways than one / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagtein

Juan Saldivia’s season has been phenomenal, with 40 victories already, ranking second in the general standings behind Marcelo Sueldo (47) and also in the statistics for Palermo and San Isidro, trailing Gerardo Alteño and Carlos D.Etchechoury, respectively.

The young professional was one of the standout figures last weekend, winning the Gran Premio de Honor (G1) with Butterfing (Angiolo) at Avenida del Libertador and Dorrego, and the Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier (G2) on the turf of the Jockey Club Argentino with the promising Cardo Castilla (Strategos), and the celebrations were in his style:measured.

It feels like this was the first great showcase for the horses under Saldivia's care in 2026, already with many winning products in his barn and focusing with a full chamber on the upcoming days of the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1) and the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (G1).

For Saldivia, it was his first victory in the Gran Premio de Honor, and his work and patience were fundamental to the consecration of the rising Butterfing. "We are very happy. I am part of the ownership group, with great friends, and Yayo, who is going through a hard time, was able to come, which was a great satisfaction; there are also Adolfito Cambiaso and Juan Pablo Quiroga, the veterinarian from La Dolfina. They let us work, because we always knew we had a very useful, very good colt that matured late and felt his races. The goal for 2025 was to go to Maroñas, but we took care of him and waited. He returned in his class and had to win the way he did to then think about the Honor. And so it was."

The path was not easy with the gray, who came from layoff after layoff: "I expected him to win. I was able to breeze him after he returned, and he was flying. But, well, it was a very tough race, and older horses are always respected. He was always good, but he was immature. He has no physical problems; he just needed time. He weighed 520 kilos this time, and we knew he was good and good horses always put in the effort. We had to take care of the material and run him when he was ready for that and to be competitive."

Wearing a suit and tie, dressed for the occasion, Juan added: "He was always different because he stretched out a lot when you sent him to gallop. We are not used to running short distances much, and I reckon if someone from the interior had bought him, they would have taken advantage of him in the sprints because he has speed. But I believe his best version is seen in the long distances."

Looking ahead, the professional did not hesitate: "The goal is the República Argentina, as long as he is in condition. He will be among the favorites, but Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja) returned great and will be tough to beat."

Sunday was another great day for Saldivia, who for the second time took the photo in the Chevalier, following that 2021 victory with champion Irwin (Seek Again). Regarding the colt's performance, he said: "The colt is on the rise and confirmed what he had done in his debut. He accelerated a lot in the final part and I think he left a good impression. the Estrellas are at San Isidro, so I reckon we will continue on the turf path, looking at the Gran Criterium first, but always depending on how we notice him."

Beautiful projects are being shaped for Juan Saldivia, already among the top trainers for a few seasons and confirming that reaching where he has reached and deserving the full confidence of Roberto Pellegatta was by his own merit. With the temperance of a veteran, he consolidates his image with great triumphs.