Obataye and Joao Moreira’s magic lit up Gávea under the rain
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The Brazilian star captured the 41st running of the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1), ridden by the phenomenal jockey; Argentina’s Need You Tonight and Vundu finished seventh and eleventh, respectively
By Diego H. Mitagstein
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special Correspondent)—Brazil defended its home turf in style and kept its undefeated record intact in the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, as Obataye emerged as the new continental idol with a performance for the ages. Under a torrential downpour that began minutes before the start, and before a packed Hipódromo da Gávea crowd unlike anything seen in years, the son of Courtier etched his name among the greats, capturing the 41st edition of the prestigious race—marking the 12th victory for the host nation.
Bred by Haras Palmerini and masterfully prepared by Antonio Oldoni, Obataye reaffirmed his remarkable consistency and outstanding class. Already victorious in both the G1 Grande Prêmio Brasil and the G1 Copa ANPCC Matias Machline, the 5-year-old now completed the sweep of Brazil’s three major titles with a triumph that transcends borders.At five, he seems to have reached his absolute peak—wherever he runs, he wins. Or, as his connections like to say, “he’s inevitable.”
Once again, the magic touch of João ‘Magic Man’ Moreira proved decisive. The Brazilian superstar—already a legend in Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia, among other countries—added another golden chapter to his story. Calm, precise, and inspired, he bided his time, found room along the rail as the track turned to slop, and, with his unmistakable flair, drove the champion to glory.“There were very few major races I hadn’t won yet—and this was one of them,” said a smiling Moreira after the finish. “Obataye is a special horse. When I asked him, he gave me everything.”
The race was as eventful as it was emotional. Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) broke sharply to set a strong pace, with Vundu (Suggestive Boy) pressing close behind, true to his brave style. But the Argentine raider never looked comfortable, fighting his jockey early, and faded in the stretch to finish eleventh.Meanwhile, Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja) came from the back, closing with determination, but the task proved too steep and he settled for seventh.
Then came the roar of the crowd. Skimming the rail, fully aware of every inch of the track, Moreira unleashed his move. Obataye, surging powerfully, collared Seiquevouteamar with 150 meters to go and drew clear with authority. From behind, Chile’s Medjool (Constitution) rallied strongly for second, leaving the game frontrunner third, with fellow Chilean My Way (Mendelssohn) and Ethereum (Courtier) next, and Daktari (Daddy Long Legs) completing the top six. The clock stopped at 1:58.59 for 2000 meters over a rain-soaked course.
Celebration erupted everywhere. Umbrellas waved, tears flowed, and the Pelanda family, breeders and owners of the hero, rejoiced as if Coritiba had scored a goal at Couto Pereira, while the stands echoed with chants of “¡Obataye!” Brazil once again made the Latinoamericano its own, extending its dominance in South America’s most prestigious championship.
And this may only be the beginning. Next on the horizon looms the G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini at San Isidroon December 14, where Obataye could face elite challengers from Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay, drawn not only by its prestige but also by a purse of $350,000. Should he travel and reproduce this form, the continent may well be looking at a truly hemispheric champion.
Brazilian racing is living through a golden era, and Obataye, with Moreira’s artistry as his perfect complement, stands as its brightest emblem.Beneath the pouring rain, on a day to remember, the dark bay reaffirmed a simple truth: whenever he runs, the ending is almost always the same—Obataye wins.
