Obataye and Havana Cigar hope to join the list of 17 foreign raiders who have enjoyed victory in the Pellegrini

Throughout its history, horses bred in England, France, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, and the United States have captured South America’s most important race

Obataye, one of Brazil’s two major threats in the Pellegrini / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

As so often happens, the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) proved irresistible once again for some of the continent’s top horses. In 2025, Brazil sends two formidable contenders—Obataye (Courtier) and Havana Cigar (Can the Man)—to supply the international flavor. Strictly speaking, three foreign-breds will line up, as Out of the Blue(Drosselmeyer), though campaigned locally, was also born in Brazil.

There is no doubt that the spectacular 500 million–peso purse played an important role in convincing connections across borders to accept the challenge. The international presence could have been even larger: Chilean and Uruguayan representatives considered traveling to Buenos Aires but ultimately withdrew due to cost, logistics, or injuries. Peru, traditionally generous in supporting South America’s biggest race, decided against sending runners after a disappointing experience in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) earlier this year—where none of its six representatives figured in the finish.

Since its debut in 1887, the Pellegrini has been won by foreign-born horses 17 times, a legacy that Obataye and Havana Cigar will attempt to extend.

It is worth recalling the pioneers. The inaugural running went to the English-bred Stiletto (Beaudesert), beginning a double for Stud Prisionero, who repeated the following year with another unforgettable import, Gay Hermit (Hermit).

Bolívar (Earl Clifden) broke the streak in 1889, becoming the first Argentine-born winner. But the international dominance quickly returned: the French-bred Athos II (Zut) won in 1890 and 1892, while Camors (Edward the Confessor) took the 1891 edition.

Decades passed before another foreign flag prevailed. That moment came in 1938, when the Uruguayan legend Romántico (Caboclo) captured the race—and returned to repeat in 1939, a rare back-to-back feat, both times for Stud El Refugio.

Brazil earned its historic first Pellegrini title in 1959 with the phenomenal Escorial (Orsenigo). Peru followed in 1973, when Santorín (Biomydrin) delivered a masterclass under the great Arturo Morales.

The 1980s and 1990s brought more international glory:

• Immensity (Zenabre) triumphed for Brazil in 1983.

• Laredo (Muscovite) restored Peruvian pride in 1993.

• Much Better (Baynoun) and Jorge Ricardo thrilled the crowd for Brazil in 1994.

• Fregy’s (Combsway), U.S.-bred, stunned Monterrico in 1996.

The last four foreign victories were also Brazilian:

• Gorylla (New Colony) in 2003, again with Ricardinho.

• Xin Xu Lin (Wondertross) wire-to-wire in 2010.

• Going Somewhere (Sulamani) with a shock upset in 2012.

• Nao Da Mais (T.H. Approval) shining in 2019—both of the last two representing Haras Phillipson.

This Saturday, the Pellegrini will once again welcome international challengers. Two Brazilian raiders return with legitimate chances, hoping to extend the list of foreign triumphs at the expense of local hopes.

They are among the leading contenders. Whether they enter the history books is now up to them.