No Bien Ni Mal Strengthens the Reputation of South American Horses in the U.S. by Remaining Undefeated

No Bien Ni Mal reinforced the reputation of South American racehorses in the United States by keeping his undefeated record intact in his second North American start, the Greenwood Cup Stakes (G3), held on September 20, 2025, at Parx Racing, Pennsylvania. The four-year-old Brazilian chestnut, bred by Haras Santa María de Araras in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, and raised at Haras Fronteira, is trained by Paulo Lobo for Mr. Ricardo Felizzola’s Stud Duplo Ouro. He covered the mile and a half in 2:31.23, decisively defeating Double Your Money by 1 ¾ lengths, leaving the rest of the field more than seven lengths behind.

No Bien Ni Mal (Hofburg) with Joel Rosario dominating in Parx Racing.

The race unfolded at a controlled pace. Guided this time by Joel Rosario, No Bien Ni Mal settled in third place behind favorite Digital Ops and Double Your Money, who set fractions of 25.13 for the opening quarter and 49.22 for the half-mile over a track producing fast times. When they approached the three-quarter pole (1:15.19), Rosario asked his mount to advance. On the final turn, Digital Ops began to weaken, Double Your Money took the lead, but No Bien Ni Mal launched his outside attack, drew level in the stretch, and effortlessly pulled away with authority. In the final strides, he widened his advantage without being fully extended, confirming the impression left by his previous victory at Saratoga. Lobo, securing his first win of the Parx season, noted the plan was to give the colt a progressive challenge: “His whole pedigree is stamina-oriented, and we’re thinking about the big races next year, even the Dubai World Cup.”

This U.S. campaign continues what No Bien Ni Mal had already shown in his native Brazil. As a juvenile, he ranked among the best stayers in the country, with his major triumph being the Gran Premio Derby Paulista. In 2024, he debuted in Maroñas, Uruguay, delivering strong performances. Duplo Ouro Stables LLC, owned by Ricardo Felizzola, sent him to the United States at the end of January 2025, and his adaptation has been flawless: two races, two victories under the care of Paulo Lobo’s team at The Thoroughbred Center.

No Bien Ni Mal is a son of Hofburg, a stallion imported to Brazil by Julio Bozano. Hofburg is by Tapit (Pulpit) out of Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold (Deputy Minister), runner-up in the 2018 Belmont Stakes and third in the Florida Derby. He hails from the powerful {2-d} family descending from Natalma (Native Dancer), dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic). Since his first Brazilian crop, Hofburg has produced multiple group winners on dirt and turf, including Vitruvian, Nam Phrik, New Future, and the talented No Bien Ni Mal, who impressed in Maroñas before winning at Saratoga. His progeny typically excel on dirt, with names like No Bien Ni Mal, Nam Phrik, New Future, and Óbvio standing out, while others such as Vitruvian, Niver Ball, Navy Of War, and Osten have also performed well on turf.

The dam of No Bien Ni Mal is Una Beleza (Signal Tap, by Fappiano), a dual G1 winner in São Paulo from the distinguished {9-h} family. His third dam is the legendary Griffe de Paris by Telescópico and out of April in Paris, by Locris, the champion mare of 1991 who captured the Gran Premio OSAF (G1) at Cidade Jardim, São Paulo, with a remarkable late rally. From Griffe de Paris descends a dynasty of champions: G1W Generaux, G1W Global Hunter, G1W Lady de Paris, G1W Ollagua, G1W Greta G, G1W Grezzo, G1W Lah Lah Lah, G1W Naturalizada, record-horse Open Bar, G2W Cerro Largo, G2W Bay Ovar, G2W Artejusta, among others. Una Beleza herself is a half-sister to Touriga (Put It Back), a G1 winner. The hallmark of this family is its ability to transmit stamina and finishing power—traits now evident in No Bien Ni Mal.

Genetically, his pedigree features a duplication of Fappiano (Mr. Prospector) in 3x5, via Signal Tap and Unbridled (Tapit’s grandsire). This cross contributes both raw power and structural soundness. The Tapit/Pulpit line ensures deep stamina through Seattle Slew, while the Argentine influence of Telescópico on the female side injects speed. The result is an ideal mix for long dirt distances, as proven in the Greenwood Cup.

With this victory, the Brazilian colt preserves a flawless U.S. record and opens a wide range of possibilities for winter and spring 2026. His trainer mentioned the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs in late November as the next target, with the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March, prize pool worth $12 million, as the long-term goal. Lobo suggested to Felizzola that the horse thrives over a mile and a quarter or more, making such challenges well within reach.

Felizzola’s operation, under the yellow and blue silks of Duplo Ouro, has been consolidating globally. Besides No Bien Ni Mal, his paternal brother Obstacle (Hofburg) recently broke a long-standing record at Maroñas and could ship to Lexington after the José Pedro Ramírez (G1) on January 6. Another of his horses, Sparco (Verrazano), just finished second in a Latino qualifier at Gávea in Rio de Janeiro and is contesting Brazil’s G1 races. Felizzola invests in top genetics and raises them at Haras Fronteira, where resident veterinarian Dr. Alex Menezes plays a key role.

Trainer Paulo Lobo has also enhanced the stock under his care. The Uruguayan Triple Crown winner Suablenanav TH (T. H. Approval), the champion Devassa (Alcorano), and G1 winner Dale Flojita (Sloane Avenue) were all exported and are now under his supervision. This highlights the ambition of owners willing to risk and invest to elevate South American racing—particularly Uruguay and Brazil—onto the world stage, with the goal of contesting America’s top classics.

In a landscape where exporting South American runners to the U.S. has paid dividends, the rise of No Bien Ni Mal bolsters the region’s bloodstock reputation. If his progression continues, his campaign could mirror past South American stars in North America, while adding yet another glorious chapter to the legacy of Griffe de Paris, whose family continues to produce champions capable of winning prestigious races across both hemispheres.