Two International Wins Highlight the Brilliance of Argentine Horsemanship
- Turf Diario
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Juan Pablo Paoloni and Gustavo Calvente Shine in Venezuela and Peru, Capturing Prestigious Races and Flying the Argentine Flag High
Argentine racing once again made its presence felt beyond national borders thanks to two outstanding ambassadors of the country’s riding school. On Sunday, Juan Pablo Paoloni and Gustavo Calvente delivered brilliant victories in Venezuela and Peru, respectively—performances that showcased the skill, poise, and international caliber of jockeys trained in Argentina.
At La Rinconada Racecourse in Caracas, Paoloni—a talented 27-year-old rider from San Genaro, Santa Fe—wrote a golden chapter in his young career by capturing the Clásico Internacional Simón Bolívar (G1), Venezuela’s most prestigious race. In front of a packed grandstand and a field of 16 runners, the Argentine displayed composure and tactical brilliance to prevail in the crown jewel of Caribbean racing, turning the day into a celebration of both passion and precision.
Paoloni’s fine form had already been evident earlier in the week at San Isidro, where he notched an impressive hat-trick of wins, signaling the momentum he carried into Caracas. His Venezuelan adventure could not have gone better: two victories and a runner-up finish from just three mounts cemented his reputation as one of South America’s rising stars.
Partnering Astuto (Champlain), Paoloni produced a daring rail-skimming rally to nail Gran Yaco (City of Light)—an American import ridden by Sonny León, the Kentucky Derby-winning jockey—right on the wire. The Caracas crowd quickly took to the Argentine’s calm confidence and flair, greeting him with warmth and admiration. His name now joins the list of foreign riders who have left a lasting mark on Venezuela’s most historic race, and anticipation is already building for his possible return at the December finale.
Meanwhile, more than 3,000 kilometers away, another Argentine rider was shining on a different stage. At Monterrico Racecourse in Lima, Gustavo Calvente guided the promising Khamal (Mendelssohn) to a commanding victory in the Clásico Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos (G2), the second leg of Peru’s Triple Crown for 3-year-olds, run over 2000 meters on dirt.
Racing for Stud Doña Licha, bred by Haras Jockey in Chile, and trained by Gerardo Julca II, Khamal earned his third win in five starts, bringing his career earnings to S/ 88,429 and confirming his status as one of Peru’s most exciting young prospects. The bay colt stopped the clock in 2:07.09, after splits of :23.49, :49.30, 1:15.48, and 1:40.59, defeating the favorite Efe Jota (Meal Penalty) by half a length, with Puppi’s Husband (Fortify) another three lengths back in third, and Kair (Bourbon Resolution) rounding out the quartet.
The international double achieved by Paoloni and Calvente stands as a proud reminder of Argentina’s lasting impact on global racing. Two different paths, one shared spirit—and a clear message: wherever they ride, Argentine jockeys continue to embody talent, courage, and professionalism at the highest level of the sport.
