The Gladiator’s Hat captivated the crowd with a powerhouse victory in the Dardo Rocha
- Turf Diario
- 7h
- 3 min read
The Haras El Angel de Venecia runner scored by seven lengths with the authority of a heavy favorite—delivering the 100th G1 victory for his trainer, Carlos D. Etchechoury, who sent out the 1-2. A festive afternoon in La Plata
By Diego H. Mitagstein
The Gladiator's Hat did not enter the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1, 2400m, dirt) as one of the leading contenders. Yet when it mattered most, he captured La Plata’s most important race of the year as though he were a $1.10 favorite.
His performance was nothing short of captivating. Representing Stud–Haras El Angel de Venecia, the 5-year-old delivered a career-defining victory—a milestone triumph for the rising operation led by Carlos Felice, and the 100th G1 win for trainer Carlos D. Etchechoury, who completed the 1–2 finish with Don Champagne (Long Island Sound) finishing second.
It was the perfect finale to a day in which the beloved eucalyptus-lined venue welcomed an estimated 18,000 spectators, filling the grandstands with the festive atmosphere so characteristic of Nov. 19. A rich and varied program of can’t-miss stakes brought together many of the sport’s most prominent equine and human figures.
On the track, there was only one ruler. At least for this edition, The Gladiator’s Hat operated on a different plane from the rest. A relentless galloper, he touched the pinnacle of his turf career, producing several storylines that turned his victory into an unforgettable chapter for his connections.
First among them: El Angel de Venecia celebrated a G1—its Rocha—with a homegrown product by its own stallion, Hat Ninja (Hat Trick), a revelation whose popularity surged again this year. The stallion recently relocated to Haras La Providencia, joining forces after standing in Córdoba due to market circumstances.
There was also the symbolic arc his campaign traced: The Gladiator’s Hat had been part of both the stable’s lowest point and its highest. Earlier in the year, he tested positive for Lasix following his win in the Handicap Jorge H. Iglesias—a mistake the team immediately acknowledged as internal human error.
For that incident, many subjected Carlos D. Etchechoury to undeserved public criticism. “Dany” was the first to take responsibility, and the rules took care of the rest. The trainer still carries frustration over what happened and what was said, though reaching 100 G1 wins—plus several others with runners saddled by assistants—puts any suspicion to rest.
In the Rocha, The Gladiator’s Hat launched a sustained, irresistible advance around the far turn and delivered a commanding stretch performance, drawing away from his 19 rivals as if they were maiden runners. Under Eduardo Ortega Pavón, he surged home 7 lengths clear of Don Champagne, with the ever-game Endor Rye (Endorsement) another 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Final time: 2:30.37.
Sono Perfetto (Tetaze) ran bravely to finish fourth after setting the pace in his first test against older horses. The disappointments came from Treasure Island (Treasure Beach) and Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs), last year’s winner and the Derby hero, who finished seventh and 14th as the two most heavily played horses.
The Dardo Rocha unveiled a new name in bright lights: The Gladiator’s Hat—a horse who now surely places the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini on the horizon. It’s a race that has treated both El Angel de Venecia and Carlos D. Etchechoury well in the past. The hint comes free of charge.
