The Gran Premio Brasil Puts Several Historic Records at Stake in a Special Renewal

With 17 runners and just a single mare in the field, the greatest race in Brazilian racing will bring together this Sunday several G1 winners and trainers looking to stand alone at the top of the all-time standings

Oderich (on the outside), One of the Leading Candidates / JCB / SYLVIO RONDINELLI

RÍO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special to Turf Diario).– Hipódromo da Gávea is preparing to experience another historic day with the running this Sunday of the 94th edition of the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1), the most important race on the Rio and Brazilian racing calendar and the main attraction of a week of celebrations that will once again gather the best of South American racing.

Contested over the traditional 2400 meters on the turf, the event will distribute a total purse of R$ 673,200, with more than R$ 361,000 reserved for the owner of the winner.

The field of 17 runners features several points of interest. Among them, Summer do Iguassu (Camelot Kitten) stands out as the only female in the group, attempting to become just the sixth mare to conquer the Gran Premio Brasil. Should she succeed, she would join a select list comprised of the Argentine-breds Tirolesa (Fox Cub, 1950) and Fizz(Idle Hour, 1973), along with locals Off The Way (Tratteggio, 1983), Anilité (St Chad, 1984), and Queen Desejada(Know Heights, 2001).

The race could also alter history among the most successful trainers in the competition. Both Luiz Esteves and Venâncio Nahid, responsible for the main favorites Oderich (Drosselmeyer) and Zucca Baby (Hofburg), respectively, boast 6 victories in the Gran Premio Brasil and have the opportunity to become the winningest trainer of all time.

Nahid achieved his triumphs with Flying Finn (Clackson, 1990), Velodrome (Boming, 2005), Jeune-Turc (Know Heights, 2009), Barolo (Northern Afleet, 2015), My Cherie Amour (Ay Caramba, 2016), and Pimper's Paradise(Put It Back, 2020). Meanwhile, Esteves celebrated with Voador Magee (Roderic O'Connor, 2017), Quarteto de Cordas (Rock of Gibraltar, 2018), George Washington (Redattore, 2019 and 2021), Raptor's (Hat Trick, 2023), and Sinsel (Alpha, 2025).

Both currently share the historical lead with the legendary Ernani de Freitas, a six-time winner thanks to Six Avril(Town Guard, 1939), Albatroz (Trinidad, 1943 and 1944), Helíaco (Formasterus, 1947 and 1948), and Orpheus(Alipio, 1975).

The quality of the field is further reflected by the presence of 5 G1 stakes winners. Oderich arrives backed by his victories in the Grande Prêmio J. Adhemar de Almeida Prado - Taça de Prata (G1) and the Cruzeiro do Sul (G1), the Brazilian Derby. Zucca Baby captured the Grande Prêmio Jockey Club de São Paulo (G1); Quero Te Mucho(Going Somewhere) comes off winning the Grande Prêmio São Paulo (G1); Summer do Iguassu won the Grande Prêmio Barão de Piracicaba (G1); and Nudini (Drosselmeyer) also knows what it means to win the Cruzeiro do Sul(G1).

With history, international prestige, and several pages yet to be written, the Gran Premio Brasil will once again draw all eyes on the continent for an afternoon that promises strong emotions on the Rio turf.