Need You Tonight, the “ugly duckling” aiming to make history in the Latinoamericano at Rio de Janeiro

The Stud El Wing runner brings together the shared dream of trainer Roberto A. Pellegatta and breeder-owner Endrigo Gennoni

Need You Tonight schooling at Gávea, where he has settled in perfectly / JOSÉ DE LA CRUZ SALVADOR

By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent for Turf Diario in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special report).— Every horse has a story, and some feel as if they were written by destiny itself. Need You Tonight arrives at Saturday’s Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) at Hipódromo da Gáveaas one of two Argentine hopes—alongside Vundu (Suggestive Boy)—but his road to this continental showdown has been anything but easy. Behind the dark bay from Haras El Wing lies a story of faith, work, and passion—the tale of an “ugly duckling” turned star, and of a trainer seeking to write his own chapter in a family saga of glory.

Argentina hasn’t lifted the Latinoamericano Cup since 2020, when Tetaze (Equalize) shone at San Isidro under the care of Juan Saldivia and Roberto Pellegatta, father of the current conditioner of Need You Tonight. Five years later, it’s Roberto Andrés Pellegatta who will try to repeat the feat—but this time on his own terms, with his own horse and his own vision.

“It’s been a lot of work to get here. I spent many years under my father’s wing, but you always dream of stepping out and building your own path. Fortunately, the owners have trusted me, and things started falling into place. I did well with Special Dubai (E Dubai), a G1 winner, and now Need You Tonight came along—he’s a real crack,” said the trainer, his words blending emotion with calm conviction.

For him, it’s not just a professional opportunity—it’s a story of growth and legacy, of how generations follow one another without losing the sacred fire.

“The horse is doing great, and we hope it stays that way so we can have a good race. He’s been improving all the time. He lost in the San Martín (G1) because I think we had gone too long without running, and everything was new for him. But he’s been on the rise ever since. Now we’ll see how things go here,” analyzed Pellegatta, fully aware of what it means to represent Argentina in South America’s most important race.

If Pellegatta’s story speaks of continuity and personal growth, Endrigo Gennoni’s—the breeder and owner of Need You Tonight—has the feel of a fable.

“Need You Tonight was the only one from his crop I couldn’t sell. He was the ugly duckling. But stories like this are common behind good horses—that’s the beauty of it. I’m enjoying every moment; if we win, great, but if not, it’s already unforgettable,” he said, with that mix of wonder and affection only breeders truly understand when life gives back what once seemed lost.

The son of Hat Ninja proved that the beauty of racing often lies not in perfection, but in improbability. What was once a colt nobody wanted is now the flagbearer of a stable that sees in him much more than a racehorse—a symbol of perseverance.

Pellegatta knows it—and feels it deeply.

“Day by day, he helps you a hundred percent. He’s very professional, very classy... I was a bit worried about the trip—everything was new for him, the truck, the plane—but when I arrived and saw him, I relaxed completely. He was perfect, and that gave me peace of mind,” he said with genuine warmth.

The Gran Premio Latinoamericano will celebrate its 41st edition in Rio de Janeiro, drawing 16 participants and offering US$300,000 in purses. Argentina has won the race seven times—the first with Savage Toss (Egg Toss) in 1989, the latest with Tetaze in 2020—and now relies on Need You Tonight and Vundu to try to end a drought that has lasted too long.

Perhaps destiny wanted it this way: for the son of a great trainer to have his chance; for a breeder to find his redemption; and for an “ugly duckling” to become, once again, a swan lifting the sky-blue and white flag to the top of the continent.