Zucca Baby Defeated Oderich in a Memorable Finish and Conquered the Brasil
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The son of Hofburg gave Haras Doce Vale its third victory in the greatest Brazilian race and made Venâncio Nahid the winningest trainer in the history of the event
RÍO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special to Turf Diario).– The crowd that packed the historic Hipódromo da Gávea this Sunday witnessed a finish worthy of the most important race in Brazilian racing. The two best horses in training in the country staged a vibrant duel in the decisive stages of the Gran Premio Brasil (G1), and it was Zucca Baby who ultimately gained a slim advantage over Oderich (Drosselmeyer) to capture the 94th edition of the event, celebrating the centennial year of the founding of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
Contested over 2400 meters on a heavy turf track, the ultimate challenge of the Rio de Janeiro calendar offered a total purse of 673,200 reais, with more than 361,000 going to the connections of the winner.
The triumph carried special meaning for Haras Doce Vale, the creation of Alfredo Grumser and one of the most influential operations in modern Brazilian breeding. From its fields have emerged champions of all kinds, including winners of the Triple Crown, the Derby, and São Paulo, and now three victors of the Gran Premio Brasil: My Cherie Amour (Ay Caramba, 2016), Pimper's Paradise (Put It Back, 2020), and now Zucca Baby.
The victory was also defined by another extraordinary ride from Wesley da Silva Cardoso, who recorded his second success in the great Brazilian race. With his trademark style, always efficient and composed, the jockey found the exact moment to launch the decisive bid and wear down Oderich just when it appeared that the Luiz Esteves trainee had the situation under control.
But if there was a central figure on the afternoon, it was Venâncio Nahid. The veteran conditioner achieved his seventh conquest in the Gran Premio Brasil and became the winningest trainer of all time in the history of the race, breaking the tie of six victories he had shared with Luiz Esteves and the legendary Ernani de Freitas.
Nahid's historic run began with Flying Finn (Clackson) in 1990 and continued through Velodrome (Booming, 2005), Jeune-Turc (Know Heights, 2009), Barolo (Northern Afleet, 2015), My Cherie Amour (2016), Pimper's Paradise(2020), and now Zucca Baby. An extraordinary journey spanning 36 years between his first and most recent triumphs, matching the exact time frame that separated the first and last victories of Ernani de Freitas in the event.
On the track, the race featured an intense pace. Outubro Chove (Alpha) quickly assumed the lead and opened up massive margins over the rest of the field, extending his advantage to between ten and fifteen lengths at various points. Behind him sat Oderich, Zero Zero Sete (Verrazano), Elton (Outstrip), and Summer do Iguassu (Camelot Kitten), while Zucca Baby traveled in sixth, always well-positioned and with plenty of racing room to gear up his late run.
As the race progressed, Uncle King (Sangarius) began to cut into the lead to chase the pacesetter, while Cardosobided his time aboard Zucca Baby, tracking every move while awaiting the critical moment.
Upon entering the homestretch, Oderich made his move and quickly put away Outubro Chove. He looked poised for a victory that would have anchored his status as the best stayer in the country, but the figure of Zucca Baby emerged down the center of the track, closing with massive strides and a clear path ahead.
The final meters were electric. Oderich fought back bravely, but Zucca Baby's momentum proved irresistible. Under strong urging from Cardoso, the son of Hofburg chipped away at the lead until hitting the wire just ahead, triggering a wave of excitement among the fans in attendance.
In a memorable finish, fully fitting for the most important race in Brazilian turf history, Zucca Baby defeated Oderichby a narrow margin. Outubro Chove completed a tremendous performance to finish third, while Zero Zero Sete and the lone filly in the lineup, Summer do Iguassu, completed the frame for the 94th Gran Premio Brasil.
It was an afternoon of crowning achievements: Zucca Baby as the new king of the Brazilian stayers, Wesley Cardosoas a master of the big stage, and, above all, Venâncio Nahid, who can now be called, without any argument, the most successful trainer in the history of the Gran Premio Brasil.
