Special do Iguassu Unstoppable, Breaks Record in Taça de Prata

The filly from Haras Rio Iguassu extended her unbeaten streak to five starts and shattered Celtic Princess’ record by capturing the Grande Prêmio Margarida Polak Lara (G1)

Special do Iguassu Looks Like a Truly Special Filly/ JCSP / PORFIRIO MENEZES

SAN PABLO, Brasil (Special for Turf Diario).-Unbeaten in five starts, Special do Iguassu stamped her authority this Saturday by capturing the Grande Prêmio Margarida Polak Lara – Taça de Prata (G1), the first top-level test of the 2025 Copa dos Criadores festival, contested over one mile on the turf at Cidade Jardim. The daughter of Forestry out of Variety Lady (Wild Event), bred and campaigned by Haras Rio Iguassu, didn’t just win—she shattered the race record, improving a mark that had stood since 2007.

The race developed with On The End (Emcee), a debut winner, taking command from the break, closely tracked by Olympic Poesia (Outstrip). Meanwhile, Special do Iguassu stayed well-positioned in third along the inside.

Rounding the final turn, Orange Blossom (Sangarius) advanced to take second, while the favorite was pressured on both sides by Nightfall and the eventual winner.

In the stretch, On The End briefly opened a gap, but it was short-lived. At the 200-meter pole, João Moreira launched Special do Iguassu in a powerful drive, sweeping to the front decisively. From further back and on the inside, Perfect Plastic (Goldikovic) also began closing rapidly, setting up a thrilling finish.

But the Haras Rio Iguassu filly held on resolutely, taking the lead 150 meters out and fending off Perfect Plastic by a neck. On The End completed the podium with a solid effort, while Exuma (Can the Man) and Orange Blossom rounded out the money positions.

Other runners included Halloween (Drosselmeyer), Olympic Poesia, Terra Molhada (Outstrip), Naantali (Universal Law), Nightfall, Have A Glory (Outstrip), Olympic Paris, Endless Love (Drosselmeyer), and All Red Love (Courtier).

Trained by Antônio Marcos Oldoni, Special do Iguassu stopped the clock in 1:33.8 over the 1600-meter turf course rated good, breaking the record previously held by Celtic Princess (Public Purse), who ran 1:33.31 at Hipódromo da Gáveain 2007 when the race was still held in Rio de Janeiro.

Now with five wins in as many starts, including three stakes, Special do Iguassu had previously captured the GP João Cecílio Ferraz (G1) and now firmly establishes herself as the best of her generation so far.

With such a pace, it’s hard to imagine where her ceiling might be.