With Heart and Soul, Esteban Torres Returns to the Saddle

The jockey returned to official competition after more than 2 years and 4 months, and came close to victory with Mate Listo at Palermo; an unforgettable day that also featured a brilliant win by the promising Oro Nativo

Esteban Torres and Nievre, on República Argentina Day / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

More than two years and four months have passed since the accident that nearly cost Esteban Torres his life. Supported at every turn by his family, he endured some of the darkest moments a person can face—surgeries, hospitals, rehabilitation, and the uncertainty of whether he would ever return to the profession he loves.

On Monday, all of that became a memory, as the jockey made his official comeback on the same dirt track at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo where he suffered that terrifying fall. And he nearly marked the occasion with a win, falling just half a length short.

Affectionately known as “Chuchu,” Torres hadn’t ridden in an official race since December 29, 2022. Returning aboard Mate Listo (Catcher In the Rye) in the seventh race of the day, he finished second to Brujo Santo (Santillano), who spoiled what would have been a perfect comeback—though that seemed to matter little.

There were tears—his own and those of his family—as a new chapter began in his life. His beaming, heartfelt smile was the purest reflection of what the moment meant.

Torres launched his professional career in 2005 and has since ridden 407 winners, nine of them in stakes. His finest hour came just months before the accident, on May 1, 2022, when he guided Nievre, a son of Catcher In the Rye campaigned by Stud Rodolfo Pedro and trained by Edgardo Martucci, to victory in the G1 Gran Premio República Argentina. Now standing at stud in Uruguay, Nievre remains a milestone in the rider’s journey.

The Palermo card also saw a standout performance from the progressive Oro Nativo (Puerto Escondido—Oriunda Inc, by Include, Haras Gran Muñeca), who captured the Premio 98° Aniversario del Club Sirio Libanés de Buenos Aires, a one-mile dirt event for horses with one or two wins.

With William Pereyra aboard, the Stud Doña Teresa runner settled off the pace early as Louis CK (Daddy Long Legs) showed the way. Turning for home, the leader faded by the 300-meter mark, giving way to Ecográfico Rim (Remote), who looked poised to score for Firmamento.

But Oro Nativo surged late, collaring him in the shadow of the wire to prevail by a head in 1:36.43. Trained by Gabriel Monteagudo, the colt now owns 3 wins from 7 career starts.