Oderich Dug Deep to Land the G1 Joao Adhemar de Almeida Prado

Given a well-timed ride by Wilkley Xavier, the son of Drosselmeyer got the better of Star do Iguassu and sprung the upset at Cidade Jardim

Oderich, saving ground along the rail, scored a terrific victory / JCSP / PORFIRIO MENEZES

SAN PABLO, Brasil (Special for Turf Diario).- In a heart-pounding finish that brought the crowd to its feet, Oderich earned his first top-level win Saturday with a dramatic score in the Grande Prêmio João Adhemar de Almeida Prado – Taça de Prata (G1), a 1600-meter turf contest for 3-year-olds at Cidade Jardim. It was one of the highlights of the 2025 Copa dos Criadores festival, which featured over R$240,000 in purse money and a grandstand buzzing with energy.

A son of Drosselmeyer out of Energia Garoa (by Agnes Gold), the colt was bred by Haras Anderson and carries the silks of Stud Sampaio & Cariri/Stud J.C.R. Displaying grit, determination and heart, he bravely held off a furious late charge from Star do Iguassu (Outstrip) to prevail by a head in a thrilling finish that came down to the wire.

After a wide-open break, Oderich, hugging the rail, was part of a three-way battle for the lead alongside Outlander(Sangarius) and Open The Door (Hofburg). Just behind the leaders sat Star do Iguassu, Oudin (Camelot Kitten), and Quarterback Boy (Synchrony), all tightly bunched in a compact group that promised fireworks in the stretch—and delivered.

As they turned for home, Wilkley Xavier asked Oderich for his run, and the colt responded gamely, kicking away from Outlander to become the one to catch. Star do Iguassu was quick to loom alongside, setting the stage for a fierce stretch duel.

With 200 meters to run, Oderich clung to his inside path while his challenger shifted outward under a left-handed whip, briefly giving the leader some breathing room. But once corrected, Star do Iguassu came back with renewed purpose, surging late and casting doubt over a result that had looked nearly sealed.

The wire came just in time for Oderich, who dug deep to hold on by half a head, securing his second win in just three starts—and his first at the stakes level—for trainer Roberto Morgado Neto.

Quarterback Boy finished third, a length and a half back, followed by Torres Garcia (Il Doge) and Opalescent(Hofburg), who rounded out the top five. Completing the order of finish were Samurai do Iguassu (Verrazano), Katafero(Can the Man), Humble Hero (Drosselmeyer), Outlander, Oudin, Open The Door, and Plenty of Action (Plenty of Kicks). Final time for the mile over a course rated “good” was 1:33.76.

With this victory, Oderich not only announces himself as a serious player among Brazil’s 3-year-olds, but also validates the faith placed in him by his connections.