Winners of the Gran Premio Nacional This Century, and Where They Are Now

Freddy, Forty Licks, Expressive Halo, Indy Point, Cooptado, Hi Happy, Miriñaque, and Ever Daddy Captured the Derby and Went On to Become True Champions

Ever Daddy Won the Gran Premio Nacional in 2023 and Later Added the Ramírez to His Record / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The Gran Premio Nacional (G1) is one of the crown jewels of Argentine racing. To win it is to reach the pinnacle—a dream few achieve. Though its 2500 meters make it something of an outlier in a modern racing world increasingly centered around middle distances, its prestige remains unmatched.

This Saturday at Palermo, a new chapter of the Argentine Derby will be written. Ahead of it, we look back at every winner of the race so far this century—and where life took them afterward.

The story begins in 2000, when Tapatío (Candy Stripes) captured the crown under Antonio Fabián Rivero, defeating his paternal brother City West. Purchased by Gary Tanaka, he went on to finish sixth in the UAE Derby (G2) before heading to the U.S., where his best result was a fourth in the Escondido H. He later stood at Haras Vadarkblar, where he died in 2011.

In 2001, Dr. Ciro (Engrillado) prevailed for the Pellegatta–Noriega partnership, later adding the GI República Argentina before being exported to Saudi Arabia, where he won four stakes and eventually entered stud.

The 2002 hero was Freddy (Roy), who went on to win the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) and be named Horse of the Year. Raced abroad for Gary Tanaka, he failed to reproduce that form in the U.S. and England and ended his days as a sire at Dab Stud Farm in Pakistan.

Mr. Alleva (Numerous) took the 2003 Derby but was injured soon after in the Pellegrini. He stood at Haras Lacalaand later La Castellana in Uruguay.

Basko Pintón (Engrillado) won in 2004 and stood at Haras Los Criadores, while Forty Licks (Not For Sale) claimed glory in 2005, later winning the Crown Prince Cup (G2) in Saudi Arabia and finishing fifth in the 2007 Dubai World Cup (G1)—the day Invasor was crowned.

In 2006, Eu Tambem (Wild Event) carried the Brazilian flag to victory, ridden by a young João Moreira, before moving on to Dubai, where he captured the Elnadim Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge—Round 3 (G2).

Eyeofthetiger (Tempranero) shocked in 2007 and later stood at Haras Cuatro Piedras in Uruguay and Beverly Hillsin Brazil. The following year, Tecla Shiner (Indygo Shiner) won the 2008 Derby but never raced again after being exported to the U.S.

In 2009, Storm Chispazo (Bernstein) lifted the trophy, later campaigning in the UAE and Singapore, where he won twice at the now-defunct Kranji Racecourse and ran 14th in the 2011 Singapore Derby (G1).

Expressive Halo (Halo Sunshine), a true star, won the 2010 Nacional before embarking on a brilliant domestic career. He stood at Haras Abolengo and Costa del Río, where he died a few years ago.

In 2011, Lange (Aptitude) inherited the win after the disqualification of Val Champ (Val Royal) and later stood unsuccessfully at Don Yeye and San Blas.

Then came the superb Indy Point (Indygo Shiner) in 2012, who later shone in the U.S. for Richard Mandella, winning the John Henry Turf Championship (G2) and Wickerr Stakes (L) before finishing a gallant third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita. He stood at Haras La Quebrada and now resides at Haras La Calandria.

Cooptado (Equal Stripes), the 2013 winner, also found international success—winning the The Entisar (L) at Meydan and the GI Singapore Gold Cup, later adding the Tenacious Stakes (L) at Fair Grounds in the U.S.

In 2014, El Moisés (Manipulator) took the Derby and currently stands at Haras Esece. A year later, Hi Happy (Pure Prize) emerged as the 2015 hero, later thriving in the U.S. with victories in the GI Man o’ War Stakes and GII Pan American Stakes, and even a start in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf. Now, he’s a highly successful sire at Haras Vacación.

He Runs Away (Heliostatic) captured the 2016 edition before racing in the UAE and Australia, winning five times in the latter.

Roman Rosso (Roman Ruler) won in 2017 and added the GI Gran Premio Latinoamericano before venturing abroad. He ran fourth in the GI Pacific Classic and later campaigned in Dubai, placing in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1).

For the Top (Equal Stripes) triumphed in 2018, followed by solid efforts in Dubai, including victory in the The Entisar (L) and a second in the G2 Singspiel Stakes.

In 2019, Miriñaque (Hurricane Cat) emerged as a champion, later competing in Uruguay, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He now stands at Haras Parque Patricios, having come close to victory in Keeneland’s G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes.

Great Escape (Equal Stripes) claimed the 2020 Derby but tragically died in the U.S., while Irwin (Seek Again), the 2021 winner, also moved to the UAE before joining Parque Patricios alongside Miriñaque.

The 2022 victor, Niño Guapo (Catcher in the Rye), was injured in the Pellegrini (G1) and is now standing at Haras La Mission Robles.

Then came Ever Daddy (Daddy Long Legs) in 2023, who went on to capture the GI José Pedro Ramírez in Maroñas and now stands at Haras El Mallín.

Finally, Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs), still in training, carried the 2024 crown, adding his name to the rich legacy of Derby champions.

This Saturday at Palermo, a new name will join that illustrious list—the next to etch his place in the history of the Gran Premio Nacional, Argentina’s true race of dreams.