Southern Belles Shine Up North: South America's Golden Run in the Clement L. Hirsch

From Daystar II to Blue Stripe: A Glorious Line of Southern Stars Aiming to Add Another Name to the Roll

Blue Stripe Shines Bright in 2022 Clement L. Hirsch / BENOIT PHOTO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- There are a handful of races in the United States that can proudly claim to have been fertile ground for South American-bred fillies and mares, and among them, few shine as brightly as the G1 Clement L. Hirsch S., held each summer at Del Mar. Since the days when the race was known as the Chula Vista H., Southern Hemisphere runners have not only featured prominently but have authored some of the most memorable chapters in the storied history of the California fixture.

In all, eight South American mares have captured the Clement L. Hirsch, several of them leaving a lasting impact on the North American racing landscape. The trail was first blazed by Argentina’s Daystar (Seductor), who took the second running of the race back in 1938, as the event was just beginning to shape its identity.

In 1987, Chile’s Infinidad (Mr. Long) struck gold, and the 1990s brought a flurry of success. Bayakoa (Consultant's Bid), already a legend, triumphed in 1990; Paseana (Ahmad) followed in 1994; and Different (Candy Stripes) added her name to the list just a few years later.

The year 2000 marked a pivotal moment, as the race was renamed in honor of Clement L. Hirsch, and also witnessed another South American victory—this time by Brazil’s Riboletta (Roi Normand). Trained by Eduardo Inda for Aaron and Marie Jones, she was named Champion Older Female at the Eclipse Awards later that year after a dominant campaign.

Argentina returned to the winner’s circle in 2004, when Miss Loren (Numerous) scored under Jon Court, trained by Luis Seglin and racing for Firmamento (Llers Corporation). More recently, Blue Stripe (Arg) (Equal Stripes)provided the most recent addition to the legacy, prevailing in the 2022 edition for trainer Marcelo Polanco and Pozo de Luna, with Hector Berrios in the irons. Her win secured a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, where she finished a gallant second, beaten just a nose by Malathaat (Curlin).

This Saturday, when a new edition of the Clement L. Hirsch is contested, two fresh South American names will look to extend the legend. Representing Argentina is Little Hidden Port (Arg) (Puerto Escondido), who makes her U.S. debut for Hronis Racing and John Sadler, having romped by seven lengths in the G2 Clásico Los Criadores at La Plata. From Chile comes Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke), the recent winner of the G2 Santa Maria S. and now under the care of none other than Bob Baffert, underscoring the increasing respect South American bloodlines command on the international stage.

That eight South American mares have won the same G1 race in the U.S.—many of them going on to further distinction—is no coincidence. It’s a testament to the depth, class, stamina, and heart bred into generations of Thoroughbreds from the Southern Hemisphere. Properly managed and patiently developed, they have proven time and again they can compete—and win—on the sport’s biggest stages.

This Saturday, Del Mar will once again welcome the talent imported from the south. And if history is any guide, the South American contenders should never be underestimated. After all, when it comes to winning, the girls from the South know how to leave their mark.