The breeder of the crack traveled all the way to Saudi Arabia to accompany the horse in pursuit of his most daring adventure.
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent for Turf Diario in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
RIYADH, Arabia Saudita.- Roberto Vignatti stands in the grandstand of King Abdulaziz and looks around. The horses set to compete in Saturday’s Saudi Cup meet are galloping over the track, and among them is El Kodigo, the colt he bred at his Haras Juan Antonio and brought all the way here for the thrill of being part of the richest race in the world.
He already enjoyed the ride back in Argentina, where the horse gave him unforgettable moments by capturing the G1 Polla de Potrillos, G1 Gran Premio República Argentina, G1 Gran Premio General San Martín, and G1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro. Then came Uruguay, where he experienced one of the most emotional highlights of his racing career with the thrilling victory in the G1 Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez.
“We’re here for a world-class challenge, and we hope the horse runs well. He’ll give it his all, and I’m sure he’ll put up a good performance—that alone would be a great achievement for us,” says the owner of Haras Juan Antonio, speaking to the reporter during the Breakfast with the Stars event on Thursday.
“I would have loved to see our flag hanging somewhere, but well, maybe next time, when we run a good race, they’ll take more notice and put us up there. Just being here, representing Argentina with a horse like this—one that has given us so much joy—is a source of immense pride. We want to enjoy him and share these moments with all our friends, the kind that only a horse can create. The race itself will last less than two minutes, but what we’ve shared throughout the week is what truly matters, leaving us with so many stories to tell. Feeling the support of everyone, knowing they have their hearts with El Kodigo, is something special,” confesses Vignatti, nearly moved to tears by the overwhelming emotions surrounding his champion’s Saudi Cup appearance.
“The horse has even made an impact on social media, and you can see it—the buzz, everything he generates. He has gone beyond our own racing circle, attracting fans from everywhere. These are the kinds of things that could open the door for many more horses in the future. Even the event organizers have taken notice,” he adds, pointing out a striking detail: the remarkable traction that the star has gained across platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.
What does Vignatti feel as a breeder, watching a horse he raised reach this level? He reflects: “You work and dream of winning races, but reaching this stage is an entirely different level. As a breeder, I’m incredibly grateful—things have gone even better and faster than I expected. I feel indebted to the buyers of our horses, to those who always support us, because without them, this wouldn’t be possible. I got emotional today, walking in and seeing this incredible setting—I couldn’t help but think of Negro Siele back when we started racing in Pergamino, when we were looking after I'm Moving On, the dam of El Kodigo. That moment hit me hard. Memories of Héctor Calvente, Gustavo, who have been with me since those days, came rushing back. I thought of the guys at the farm, the stable, my partners, the Mantegazza brothers. These are dreams for them too, and being able to share it with people who have always been by your side is something truly special—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
As for El Kodigo and his condition leading up to the race, the businessman shares his thoughts: “I saw him looking great, really great. He’s the same El Kodigo as always. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised—he’s very sharp, moving comfortably over the dirt, and Gustavo said he felt fantastic. Hopefully, he can translate that into his performance and show the kind of quality he’s always had. I have no doubt he’ll give his all on the track. I don’t know if it’ll be enough to win, but I just hope we put in a strong effort and run the best possible race—so that we can head back home feeling proud.”
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