A look back at the horses who claimed glory in the first G1 of the year from 2001 to 2024
By Diego H. Mitagstein
The Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz (G1) is approaching, with its 2000 meters on the turf of the Hipódromo de San Isidro marking the start of the season at the highest level for Argentine racing.
However, the race has not always been at the top of the international scale, as it has held this status only since 2001. Before and after this pivotal date, it had important winners, relevant names that shone here or abroad; for several years, it even served as a reference for the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) when the continental race was held in March.
In the pre-G1 era, stars like Romance Moro (Zeus), Oceanside (Babor), and the mare Luck (Kasteel) graced the event... but from 2000 onwards, great horses also claimed the cup.
What became of those who won the Martínez de Hoz after it achieved its top-level status? Well, let’s investigate and begin the review...
Praxis Parade (Parade Marshal) claimed victory in the 2021 edition, when the race was established as a G1 and, ironically, this would be his final appearance. In 2004, he was exported to Uruguay, where he served for 3 seasons before returning to the country and settling at Haras Güer Aike. His time at stud was not particularly noteworthy.
Insociable (Intérprete) was the winner in 2002, and this victory would also mark his farewell to our tracks. He was sent to Hong Kong, where he did not make history, failing to place in his only 5 appearances at Sha Tin and Happy Valley.
The saga continued in 2003 with the victory of Rodeno (Roy), who also said goodbye to Argentine turf after that win, being sent to Saudi Arabia, where he triumphed in his first outing and later faltered in the The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G1) and the Japan's Cup (G3).
Guambia Bo (Poliglote) put his name on the 2004 Martínez de Hoz, followed by a slip in the Latinoamericano, another victory in the Otoño (G2) at Palermo, and an international journey that took him to the United Arab Emirates and the United States, with a couple of near-misses as his only notable achievements.
In 2005, Don Incauto (Roy) finished first and secured his spot in the Latinoamericano, which he would go on to win at San Isidro. Exported north, he contracted pneumonia upon arrival, which affected his campaign. He raced six times in the U.S. under the colors of Gary Tanaka and under the care of trainer Darrell Vienna, finishing third in the Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3), before returning to the country to settle at Haras Vadarkblar, where he passed away in 2018.
The unforgettable Latency (Slew Gin Fizz) triumphed in 2006, capping a stellar campaign that would later include the Latino at Maroñas, Uruguay, and the Pellegrini (G1), along with an unsuccessful stint at the Nad Al Sheba International Carnival in Dubai.
The 2007 season saw the crowning of Storm Military (Bernstein), who also left the country, heading to the United States, where, under the guidance of Bobby Frankel, he won two races, including the Thunder Road Stakes (L), and finished second in several others, including the American Handicap (G2), the Inglewood Handicap (G3), the Dallas Turf Cup Handicap (G3), and the War Chant Stakes (L). In 2011, he was sent to Canada to serve at Galatiuk Farm.
The 2008 edition would bring a moment of glory for Honey Nov (Romanov), who suffered an injury and would only return to racing a year and a half later. Although he won five races after his physical issue, including the Clásico Oswaldo Aranha (L), he was never the same, passing away in 2016.
Body Soguero (Body Glove) claimed the 2009 edition, before finishing third in the Otoño and ending his career. At one point, it was announced he would serve at Haras Santa Lucía, but no progeny were registered in the Stud Book.
The brilliant campaign of City Banker (Lode) — winner of the Jockey Club (G1) and the Classic (G1) of the Estrellas — had a perfect ending in the 2010 Martínez de Hoz, after which he sustained an injury. He later entered stud at La Mission Station, moving through Del Reparo and El Gusy, before being exported to Uruguay in 2018 to work at Don Alfredo. Sadly, he passed away after a couple of seasons there, leaving several classic winners between both countries, including the G1 Conviction.
The Brazilian Send In the Clowns (Know Heighst), from Stud TNT, won in 2011, then faltered in the Latinoamericano and was retired, traveling in 2012 to Chile to stand as a stallion.
Bogeyman (Editor's Note) claimed victory in 2012, which would be his second-to-last win in his campaign, as two months later he triumphed in the Porteño (G3). After retiring, he became a stallion at Haras Las Pintadas, where he sired some good winners.
In 2013, Flowing Rye (Catcher In the Rye), from La Biznaga, won, followed by a victory in the Otoño, but was unable to maintain his level afterwards. He was retired and served at Haras La Herencia until 2019.
Fragotero (Roman Ruler) won in 2014, then said goodbye to racing with a second-place finish in the Otoño. He entered stud at El Mallín and moved to Ojos Azules in 2021. He has nine classic progeny, including Embriagame, Enfermizo Paradiso, Bichita de Luz, and Lacanian Ink.
Alma de Acero (Versallesco), the horse bought online, triumphed in 2015 and, after a brief period at Haras La Cuadra, now serves at Don Goyo.
Catcho En Die (Catcher In the Rye) used the Martínez de Hoz as his farewell in 2016, being sold to the United States, where he excelled with a win in the Star and Stripes Stakes (G3) and a third in the Arlington Million Stakes (G1).
Puerto Escondido (Hurricane Cat) was the hero in 2017 and 2018, when he was the best older horse in the country. Overcome by injuries, he was retired and entered stud at El Mallín.
There, the champion shared the stage with Nicholas (Equal Stripes), who claimed the Martínez de Hoz in 2019, and whose first foals debuted in the current season.
In 2020, Imperador (Treasure Beach) won and then shone in the United States, where he triumphed in the Calumet Turf Cup Stakes (G2) and was second in the United Nations Stakes (G1), returning to the country in 2022 and currently serving at Haras Chenaut for a consortium led by Stud RDI, his owner and breeder.
The remarkable campaign of Village King (Campanologist) also saw him claim glory in the Martínez de Hoz, opening his perfect 2021 campaign, which later included wins in the Clásico Porteño (G3) and the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo(G1) and Carlos Pellegrini (G1), leading to the titles of Horse of the Year, Champion Stayer, and Champion Older Horse. The star of Haras El Ángel de Venecia is now a stallion at Haras Chenaut, and his first foals were born in 2023.
Dalbornell (Don Valiente) took the race in 2022, suffering an injury and never returning to his best form. His last performance was in June of the previous season, when he won a claiming race.
The phenomenal Miriñaque (Hurricane Cat) stamped his mark on the 2023 Martínez de Hoz, then went on to win the Honor (G1) and the República Argentina (G1), beginning his stud career a few months ago at Haras Parque Patricios, where excitement builds for the birth of his first crop.
The latest winner of the first G1 of the season was Full Keid (Full Mast), from Gran Muñeca, who would later add the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (G1), before succumbing to a physical issue and passing away just a few months ago.
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