Mission Accomplished: Ignacio Correas Closes Out the Season with Sarawak Rim in Del Mar' Distaff
- Turf Diario
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Argentine Trainer Retired Following the Mare’s Seventh-Place Finish and Will Now Return Home After 24 Years Abroad
DEL MAR, California (From a Turf Diario Special Correspondent) — With the run of Sarawak Rim (Remote) in Saturday’s GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar, Ignacio Correas (h.) brought to a close a U.S. training career that spanned more than two decades. The Argentine-bred mare, raised by Haras Firmamento and campaigned by Difrancoin partnership with Juan Carlos Bagó, finished seventh—but the performance hardly left a bitter taste.
“Yes, I’m happy with her. She ran well,” said Correas. “Given how she came into the race, I don’t know that we could have expected much more. But from what Irad [Ortiz Jr.] told me and what I saw myself—especially how she finished off—I think she has a very good future ahead. Hopefully that future is with the Difrancos and Firmamento, who do so much for the sport. Juan Saldivia did a great job, and I hope things continue well.”
The Argentine horseman, who has been based in the U.S. for the past 24 years, confirmed he will return home in mid-November to begin a new stage of life—away from the daily grind of the racetrack, but, as he readily admits, never far from the Thoroughbred.
“If I told you this feels like taking off a backpack, I’d be lying,” he said with a smile. “This is what I’ve done all my life, what I’ve fought for all my life. My family made great sacrifices so I could do it. It’s not a burden I’m leaving behind—it’s a backpack full of memories, of people I love, who opened their homes to me, who showed me kindness. I’m very grateful for everything.”
Although he insists he has no plans to train again, Correas acknowledges that the turf world has a way of never letting go of those who truly love it.
“No, no training—definitely not. But always close to the Thoroughbred, as long as they’ll have me. There’s no chance I’ll come back to training; I don’t think so. That stage is over. I loved it deeply, I admire those who do it, I respect them. Everyone chooses how to end their career, and I chose mine—perhaps not the most conventional way, but it’s what I owed, especially to my wife, Marina.”
With his trademark humor, Correas wrapped up his final interview as a trainer on a light note: “Now my friends better get ready for lots of asados and big meals… hopefully they’ll pay, because I don’t work anymore!”
