Obastacle broke a record in his debut at Maroñas

The Criadores Nacionales Stakes (G3) at Maroñas is usually the first major barometer for Uruguay’s classic crop, where colts who did not contest the Polla de Potrillos face off for a possible berth in the Jockey Club (G3), the second jewel of the Uruguayan Triple Crown. However, the 2025 edition became more than that, it was the stage for a dazzling arrival. Obastacle (Hofburg), a Brazilian-bred colt from Santa María de Araras, Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, trained by Ivo Valter “Coco” Pereira for the colors of Mr. Ricardo Felizzola’s Stud Duplo Ouro, stepped onto the Montevideo dirt without a prior route race and smashed the clock.

Obstacle (Hofburg) cruising swiftly in the final yards.

He had debuted third, with some trouble caused by immaturity and inexperience, in February in the ABCPCC Copa Precocidad y Velocidad trial over 1,000 meters, and in March finished sixth in the final while closing late, which was his last start. After a six-month break, he reappeared in a select group to make the extraordinary leap from 1,000 to 1,800 meters. Far from showing inexperience, the son of Hofburg (Tapit) broke sharply, absorbed a bump when the gates opened, and set off after the favorite Namaguederaz (Algorithms). Down the backstretch he took command and began to open up around the turn. Three hundred meters from home his lead was seven and a half lengths and, despite the trip, he never stopped running. He stopped the clock in 1:46.18, pulverizing the record of 1:46.50 held by Potri Flash since 2006, improving the previous mark by 32 hundredths. He put 7 ½ lengths on runner-up Ultimate Best (Synchrony), completing a 1–2 for Tapit sons, and left the heavy favorite Namaguederaz third, tired after attempting to follow the winner.

Beyond the final time, his fractions put the magnitude of the feat into context. After being bumped at the start, Felizzola’s chestnut, prepared by Ivo Pereira’s team, settled and went 400 meters in a blistering 21.96, then 800 in 44.42, and covered 1,200 in 1:07.84, ten hundredths faster than Gran Taffeta’s (Gran Normand) record for that distance, with 600 meters still to run. At 1,600, his split was 1:33.30, just three hundredths off the record of Brujo de Olleros (Wild Event), set by the same Brazilian trainer–jockey duo. The key was his finish: he ran the last furlong in 12.88, making it clear he still had something left at the wire. For his jockey Everton Rodrigues it was a perfect ride; for his foreman Pablo Duarte, a dream debut. With only three lifetime starts, Obastacle has already become one of the fastest horses in Maroñas history.

Obastacle’s genetic profile helps explain why his rapid rise should not be considered a fluke. He is by Hofburg, a chestnut son of multiple U.S. champion Tapit (Pulpit) out of Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold (Deputy Minister). Hofburg was a notable performer in the United States—second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and third in the Florida Derby (G1). He also belongs to the {2-d} family of Coup de Folie (Halo), which includes figures like Machiavellian and Coup de Genie, all descending from the matriarch Natalma (Native Dancer), dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic).

This female branch, famous for its racing ability, brings stamina and consistency. The decision by Julio Bozano, owner of Haras Santa María de Araras, to bring Hofburg to his stallion roster in Brazil is proving right: from his first crop he has sired Vitruvian, a G1 winner at Gávea; G3 winner and Dubai export Nam Phrik; multiple G1-placed Niver Ball; stakes winner New Future; and the talented No Bien Ni Mal, who turned in two good races at Maroñas before winning at Saratoga. The trend indicates Hofburg’s progeny perform especially well on dirt, as proven by No Bien Ni Mal, Nam Phrik, New Future, the current-crop colt Óbvio, and now Obastacle. That said, they remain competitive on turf, as shown by Vitruvian, Niver Ball, Navy Of War, Osten, and Non Costa Caro at Maroñas.

Obstacle’s pedigree shows a Genetic Strength Value (GSV) of 70.29, a quantitative indicator developed by French researcher François Bouquet to measure genetic power based on the density of chefs-de-race within the first five generations. A GSV around 70 implies above-average stamina.

The genetic key lies in his third dam, Ex Facto by Known Fact (In Reality) and Premier Princess by Exclusive Native (Raise A Native). This U.S. mare, purchased for U$S 37,000 at the 1991 Keeneland Sales, won 2 of 13 starts and earned U$S 42,600 on the track, but her true value emerged in production. Ex Facto belongs to the {8-h} family and is by Known Fact, a Juddmonte-owned European champion miler, her dam Premier Princess is by champion Exclusive Native, sire of Triple Crown winner Affirmed.

Come And See, Obstacle’s dam, is by Elusive Quality (Gone West), a Darley/Godolphin stallion who shuttled to Brazil in 2009 and 2010, one of those investments that enriched Brazilian breeding. This mare has an interesting Rasmussen Factor of 4Sx4D to the reine-de-course Tamerett (Tim Tam). Descending from her are Tentam (Intentionally), Gone West (Mr. Prospector), Shackleford (Forestry), Clarity Sky (Kurofune), Lady Joanne (Orientate), and Tappiano (Fappiano).

Ex Facto’s influence has multiplied in South America. She is the third dam of the newly crowned champion Ethereum (Courtier), owned by Mr. Carlos Dos Santos and trained by Cosminho Morgado Neto, who shone at three, was named Brazil’s 2024/25 “Horse of the Year,” and is being aimed at the upcoming Gran Premio Latinoamericano as one of the favorites. She is also the third dam of Nudini (Drosselmeyer), winner of the Rio de Janeiro Derby, the final leg of the 2024/25 Carioca Triple Crown. Her presence in pedigrees is significant beyond Latin America as well: Redifined (More Than Ready), purchased for U$S 450,000 at Fasig-Tipton in July 2023, is multiple stakes-placed in the U.S.

Looking at her produce as a second dam, you find champion juveniles in Brazil and Uruguay: Parfum Parfait (Clackson), Cruiseliner (Wild Event), Alto Voltage (Ecclesiastic), the sprinter Aspiración (Wild Event), and many other stakes winners. The constant is her ability to produce not only precocity but also horses who progress at three and four years, something remarkable. In Obastacle, Ex Facto connects to Hofburg through complementary crossing patterns: Tapit’s line, with its inbreeding to A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew), contributes high aerobic capacity, while the Known Fact line, descending from In Reality, adds the speed of a champion miler. The result is Obstacle, a colt with a perfect balance of early speed and finishing power.

Obastacle’s Maroñas debut over 1,800 meters not only earned him a record that had stood nearly 20 years; it also confirmed he is ready for bigger challenges. Owner Ricardo Felizzola, together with trainer Ivo Pereira, his son Leandro, and Pablo Duarte, plan to target the remaining two legs of the Uruguayan Triple Crown for three-year-olds, then aim for the Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1) on January 6, and, if he continues to respond, ship him to the United States to follow in the footsteps of No Bien Ni Mal, another Hofburg son who recently won an allowance on his North American debut during the Saratoga (SPA) meeting. The progression is logical: the Uruguayan Triple Crown tends to forge tough, versatile colts, and the Ramírez, at 2,400 meters, offers an especially attractive purse. His performance in the Criadores Nacionales (G3) shows the transition is feasible; unlike many stayers who post moderate splits, he forced a fast pace and still finished his final 200 meters in 12.88, a sign he retains energy. It suggests the extra 200 meters of the Jockey Club (G3), to be run on October 5, should not pose a problem.

The “Toro” Rodrigues–Ivo Pereira duo once again found success. / Fotografías Santiago

Success cannot be understood without looking at the surrounding team. Trainer Ivo Valter “Coco” Pereira was the undisputed leader of the Maroñas standings for several years. After a dip in stock, he is now in excellent form in a very competitive environment at Maroñas, reasserting himself as one of the best trainers. Ivo has handled outstanding horses; among his pupils is the record-setter Brujo de Olleros (Wild Event), whose 1,600-meter mark Obastacle nearly matched in passing. The choice of jockey Everton Rodrigues, a rider experienced on deep sands with a fine touch at the finish, was also decisive: he controlled the colt’s eagerness, didn’t panic after the break’s bump, and let him flow at his rhythm. Foreman Pablo Duarte handled the fine-tuning and, according to post-race comments, the colt had worked very well in private, yet the manner of victory still surprised him. Haras Santa María de Araras, which breeds over 100 foals annually in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, provides the genetics and veterinary support that allow the stable to dream of an export project.

From a commercial genetics perspective, the Duplo Ouro runner’s victory reinforces the value of Hofburg’s service in the South American market. As with all Santa María de Araras stallions, fees are not among the cheapest in South America, but paying between U$S 7,000 and 8,000 for the service is worthwhile—the effectiveness justifies the investment.

His pedigree shows how fertile that combination can be when paired with a powerful female line like Ex Facto’s. Obastacle not only broke a nearly two-decade-old record at Maroñas; he opened an exciting chapter in Uruguay’s classic season and continues to build the bridge between Montevideo’s dirt and U.S. tracks—already crossed by No Bien Ni Mal and pursued by Suablenanv T. H. (T. H. Approval), Devassa (Alcorano), and Dale Flojita (Sloane Avenue), with Touch Of Destiny (Midshipman) aiming for the Breeders’ Cup.

Obstacle’s triumph shows what happens when an emerging stallion like Hofburg, a powerful female family like Ex Facto’s, and a team of professionals who know how to prepare horses come together. Looking ahead, Obastacle will have to prove his record was no isolated flash; the Uruguayan Triple Crown and the Ramírez will be his stamina exams. But in light of what he showed, blistering fractions, a strong finish, and unusual consistency for a horse making just his second start, it’s reasonable to think the Duplo Ouro colt is more than a passing phenomenon. Managed patiently, he could become the new “running machine” Uruguay has been waiting for and, by extension, another ambassador of Brazilian breeding in the North.