Roberto Pellegatta, His Connection to Florencia Giménez, and Le Pera's Record as a Prize

Three years after the accident that changed her life forever, the native of Mendoza earned her first victory as a trainer with a horse gifted to her by Pelle; behind the success at Hipódromo de Mendoza lies a story of friendship, solidarity, and a passion for horses that proved stronger than any adversity

PHOTOS by JOSÉ MALUF

By Diego H. Mitagstein

SOMETIMES A SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH is enough to tell a whole story. In the one left behind after the Premio Alma Burrera a few days ago in Mendoza, Florencia Giménez appears smiling in a way she had not been seen doing in a long time. Surrounding her are hugs, congratulations, and a horse named Le Pera, the one responsible for giving her her first victory as a trainer at her hometown racetrack. What the image does not show is everything it took to reach that very moment.

Behind that expression of happiness lies more than three years of fighting. There is a fall that shocked the Argentine turf, a recovery that seemed endless, the unconditional support of her family, and the support of many people who decided to stand by her when she needed it most. There are also proper names, like those of Manuela Basombrío and Roberto Pellegatta, two people who, from different places, were instrumental in helping Flor find a new horizon.

That afternoon of April 17, 2023, remains very present in the memory of the racing community. Midway through the turn at Hipódromo de Palermo, the mare Casta y Pura suffered an injury, causing a spill with devastating consequences. Florencia fell violently and began a race infinitely harder than any she had ever ridden as a jockey.

The first few hours were dramatic. Her life was in danger, and uncertainty took hold among family, friends, and colleagues. Later came the months of hospitalization at FLENI, the surgeries, the rehabilitation, and the challenge of learning to live with a new reality, now from a wheelchair.

It was a long, tough road full of obstacles. It was also one filled with huge gestures. Throughout that entire stage, Manuela Basombrío was always close by. Her support during Florencia's stay at FLENI was constant and quiet, helping ensure her only concern was recovering. At the same time, from various corners of the country, the racing world made its affection felt for a young woman who had always known how to win everyone's heart. Among those who never stopped following her progress closely was Roberto Pellegatta.

The trainer never lost touch with Florencia during that entire process. He was constantly interested in her recovery, and when he felt the time had come to give her a new opportunity, he found the best way to do it. Quietly, just as he likes: he gave her a horse.

It was no symbolic gesture. Le Pera, a son of Dabster, set off on a journey to Mendoza to become a new dream. Pellegatta also covered all the expenses required for the transport to the Cuyo province and, a while later, decided to send another horse so that Flor could keep building her new path within the activity.

Because even if she could no longer ride, horses remained her place in the world.

Back in Mendoza, she began working alongside her father, slowly reconnecting with the racetrack routine. She traded the whip for the training notebook, the mounts for watching gallops from the ground, and the nerves at the gate for the responsibilities on the other side of the stall. It was a different life, but it was still horse racing.

And Le Pera became one of the pillars of this new chapter. Until the Premio Alma Burrera arrived. With Matías Santucho in the saddle, the chestnut responded to the trust placed in him and crossed the wire in first place. The result provided Florencia Giménez with her first official victory as a trainer. Also as an owner.

Yet the importance of the triumph was vastly greater than any statistic. Because those applauding from the grandstand were not merely celebrating a horse's success. They were celebrating seeing her enjoy a victory once again. They were celebrating proof that passion had found a new way to express itself. Above all, they were celebrating that the girl who fought for her life and went through an inspiring recovery had reason to smile once more.

Perhaps in a few years, Le Pera will be just another name in the records of Hipódromo de Mendoza. The race programs will state that he won the Premio Alma Burrera under Matías Santucho and that he was trained by Florencia Giménez.

But those who know the story will know that on that day, it was not just a horse that won. A woman who refused to give up won. A trainer who understood that the best help was not a word of encouragement, but giving back a dream, won. A family that never stopped pushing won. And a sport that, often singled out for its fierce competition, also knows how to unite when one of its own needs it most.

That is why the photograph says so much.

Because sometimes, a smile is worth much more than any official result.