The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Has Its Lineup: 17 Horses Entered

The region’s most important race will be run on Saturday, Dec. 13 at San Isidro, with 500,000.000 pesos in prize money up for grabs

Acento Final heads into the Pellegrini carrying back-to-back G1 victories under his belt / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The GI Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (2400m, turf)—the most coveted race in South America—now has its list of potential starters for the 2025 edition, to be run on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Hipódromo de San Isidro, with a total purse of ARS 500,000,000.

A total of 17 runners have been pre-entered for the continent’s great year-end championship, on a day that will once again feature the GI Copa de Plata (2000m), GI Joaquín S. de Anchorena (1600m), and GI Félix de Alzaga Unzué, with preparations already in full swing.

Adding even more intrigue, the arrival of legendary Italian jockey Lanfranco Dettori is expected to be confirmed in the coming hours, marking the beginning of his South American farewell tour, which will also include appearances in the G1 Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez in Maroñas this January and at Gávea in Rio de Janeiro in early February.

The Pellegrini will bring together nearly all of the region’s leading stars, along with two elite Brazilian contenders, headed by Obataye (Courtier), winner of the latest G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano and to be ridden by Joao Moreira, who will travel specifically for the mount. The dark bay also captured the G1 Grande Prêmio Brasil and the G1 Matías Machline.

Argentina’s delegation is led by Acento Final (Treasure Beach), winner of the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club in 2024 and entering the race off back-to-back victories in the G1 General San Martín and G1 Copa de Oro; and by Real Rim (Remote), this year’s Gran Premio Jockey Club hero, who is being pointed firmly toward the race.

Other expected starters include:The Gladiator’s Hat (Hat Ninja), recent winner of the G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha at La Plata;Vundu (Suggestive Boy), seeking to rebound from his setback in the Latinoamericano;Crazy Talent (Equal Talent), winner this season of the G1 Gran Premio de Honor and the G2 Comparación and G2 Chacabuco;Brazilian Havana Cigar (Can the Man), victorious two weeks ago in the G1 Derby Paulista;as well as Vota Bien (Hi Happy) and Time to Think (Seahenge), both placed behind Acento Final in the Copa de Oro.

Adding further depth to the roster are Ardiendo (Remote), winner of the G3 Provincia de Buenos Aires; Cortocircuito (Daddy Long Legs), El Pulque (Heliostatic), Equal Mostaza (Equal Stripes), Herald News (Equal Stripes), Holy Holy Rim (Remote), Jazzy Frank (Gidu), and Out of the Blue (Brz–Drosselmeyer).

Notable absences include Gordianus (Señor Candy), hero of the G1 Gran Premio Nacional, whose connections chose not to enter due to the lack of formal training opportunities on the main track—San Isidro authorized a track inspection only on Dec. 3—and Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja).

The Pellegrini purse will award ARS 250,000,000 to the winner, with prize money distributed as follows:ARS 87,500,000 to second;ARS 50,000,000 to third;ARS 32,500,000 to fourth;ARS 27,500,000 to fifth;ARS 22,500,000 to sixth;ARS 17,500,000 to seventh;and ARS 12,500,000 to eighth.

As with all Group 1 races at San Isidro, every entered horse must pass a pre-race drug test with negative results.

The 2025 Carlos Pellegrini has already begun to take shape, promising another emotionally charged, internationally flavored celebration—boosted in no small measure by the substantial purse offered by the Jockey Club Argentino.

Final confirmations will be accepted until Monday at noon, with the post position draw to be held in person on Tuesday.