Obataye conquered South America by winning the Gran Premio Latinoamericano
- Lineage Bloodstock
- Oct 20
- 8 min read
The 41st Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) over 2000 metres on turf distributed a purse of US $300,000. It was contested on Saturday, 18 October at Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under sustained rain, high humidity and a track that went from soft to heavy as the day progressed. This edition was decided in favour of Obataye (Courtier), a 5‑year‑old, ridden by João Moreira and trained by Antonio Oldoni for the colours of Haras Rio Iguassu, in a time of 1:58.59. The race kept the tactical line historically characteristic of the Latinoamericano, with a strong early pace from the start and reward for those who saved ground by the rail on a battered turf. The result extended Brazil’s number of wins in the event’s historical statistics to 12, the most among participating countries.
The initial phase was held by Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano), who assumed the lead with demanding fractions and kept at bay immediate challengers such as Gracie (Drosselmeyer) and Vundu (Suggestive Boy). Obataye (Courtier) was handled by Moreira in a second group, hugging the inner rail, between seventh and fifth depending on the segment, sheltered from the loose sand and the more heavily worn areas of the turf. On the backstretch, the leader found sustained pressure, while Vundu (Suggestive Boy) attempted a challenge, while Gracie (Drosselmeyer) and My Way (Mendelssohn) remained in contention. Obataye (Courtier) continued gaining positions on the inside without additional effort, awaiting the decisive point.
Around the turn, Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) attempted to escape, Vundu (Suggestive Boy) began to fade, and Obataye (Courtier) moved efficiently into second lane entering the straight, then switched to middle lanes seeking better traction for the finish. At 150 metres from the post, Obataye (Courtier) caught and overtook the leader decisively. From the rear, Medjool (Constitution) advanced to capture second place in the final metres, and a tie for third ensued between Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) and My Way (Mendelssohn). The favourite Vundu (Suggestive Boy) did not find an answer after his bid on the turn and finished 11th, well behind, but kept sound and ready to now target the Pellegrini 2025. The tactical reading is clear: savings of metres along the rail, shifting to slightly firmer lanes in the final 300 m and a sustained change of pace were decisive in the winner’s performance.
The victory of Obataye (Courtier) is part of a high‐level selective sequence, as he had just won the Matías Machline (G1) over 2000 m on the turf at Cidade Jardim, São Paulo, on 2 August, and in 2024 had captured the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1). With this Latinoamericano, his campaign stands at 17 starts: 9‑2‑2, including three G1 wins and six graded victories. The horse was bred by Haras Palmerini, and in addition to his successes at Gávea and Cidade Jardim he has added group wins at Tarumã, consolidating a profile of efficacy over 2000‑2400 m on different tracks and under varying footing conditions.
In economic and wagering terms, the World Pool mutuel report reflected the market’s perception: Obataye (Courtier) paid $15.00 to win, $7.60 to place and $4.80 to show; Medjool (Constitution) returned $13.60 and $9.40; for the show payout: Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) at $4.80 and My Way (Mendelssohn) at $5.60. These values confirm that the winner was not the most backed in the betting, whereas the favourite Vundu (Suggestive Boy) finished outside the first three, altering the payout structure in the trifecta and superfecta. At the local Gávea sport pool, Obataye paid $5.30 to win — three times less than the World Pool payout.
The sectional pace line, with the lead held by Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano), pressure from Vundu (Suggestive Boy), expectation around My Way (Mendelssohn) and the advancing inside move by Obataye (Courtier), correlates with the differential response to the state of the footing. On wet turf, with internal lanes initially less worn, Moreira’s strategy of keeping his mount close to the rail and then shifting to the middle lanes at the critical point maximised the effective metres covered/velocity ratio, reducing exposure to slips and avoiding weaker footing areas. This operational choice explains the effective surge in the final 300 m and the margin observed at the finish.
João Moreira’s ride was a high-impact factor. Obataye broke cleanly, and Moreira positioned him without needing to fight for position, calmly controlled the tempo of the field, assessed the condition of the course, and timed his attack perfectly when guiding the horse off the rail into less waterlogged lanes. The jockey’s post-race statement—“Nothing could be more special for me than winning this race in front of the Gávea grandstand, for the people of Rio de Janeiro”—was consistent with the emotional context of a local victory in a historic Southern Hemisphere event and with the objective fact that this was one of the few major races missing from his international résumé.
From the training perspective, Antonio Oldoni confirmed with this result a work philosophy based on stamina development, adaptability to different racetracks, and race-specific tactical strategies. Obataye (Courtier) has shown consistency at both Gávea and Cidade Jardim over classic distances, executing performances that blend cruising pace with sustained finishes. The campaign management, which targeted the most prestigious races in the Brazilian calendar, is fully validated by the G1 sequence achieved in the most recent competitive cycle.
On the genetic front, Obataye (Courtier) presents several points of interest. He is one of four G1 winners sired by Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile), out of Soothing Touch (Touch Gold), a leading freshman sire in Brazil who has seven racing-age crops and a group of 19 black-type winners—approximately 7% of his starters—including 10 graded winners. On the dam’s side, Surfi’N USA (Crimson Tide) brings a highly efficient anchor, as she belongs to the {1-x} family of La Troienne (Teddy). The winner’s pedigree features a 4x4 duplication of Unbridled (through Empire Maker on Courtier’s sire line and Unbridled’s Song on the dam’s side) and a 5x5 duplication of Mr. Prospector, through third dams that are both daughters of Mr. Prospector: Coup de Génie on the sire side, from the prolific {2-d} family, and Hidden Garden on the dam side. These equivalent and inverted crossing patterns between Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector/Fappiano translate functionally into a balance between speed and stamina, a conformation suited for classic distances, and strong traction on soft surfaces—traits Obataye (Courtier) consistently displays.
Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile) was bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms, one of the world’s most prestigious breeding operations, and he hails from one of the most influential female lines in Thoroughbred history: the {2-d} family. This line descends directly from Almahmoud (Mahmoud), the foundation mare who gave rise to a dynasty that includes Natalma (Native Dancer), the dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic)—placing Courtier within the most significant genetic lineage of the 20th century. His third dam, Coup de Génie, was an exceptional G1 winner and full sister to Machiavellian (Mr. Prospector), another pillar of modern Thoroughbred breeding. In other words, Courtier is supported by a remarkably successful maternal family, a determining factor in the racing breed, where female-line consistency is key to transmitting quality.
Sired by Pioneerof the Nile—best known as the sire of American Pharoah—and out of Soothing Touch (by Touch Gold), Courtier combines North American power with a classic, well-balanced genetic structure. Despite his elite origin, his arrival in Brazil did not initially generate major expectations, and during his first seasons at stud, he wasn’t viewed as a top-tier stallion by local breeders. However, results proved otherwise: Courtier has sired a series of outstanding runners, ranging from sprinters to long-distance horses with international potential. Among them are Dashing Court, a precocious colt who won the Turfe Gaúcho and G1 races over 1500 and 1600 meters at Cidade Jardim; Fast Jet Court, champion among the fillies of her generation with G1 victories in the João Cecilio Ferraz and Barão de Piracicaba; Ethereum, fifth in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano and named 2024/2025 “Horse of the Year”; and Obataye (Courtier) himself, winner of both the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1) and the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). Also among his standout progeny is the sprinter Rihanna do Iguassú, who runs under the same silks, further consolidating Courtier’s profile as a versatile and consistently effective sire. Overall, his offspring have shown that, although initially underrated, Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile) has become a cornerstone of modern Brazilian breeding—capable of transmitting class, stamina, and physical balance, backed by a genetic heritage that traces directly to the roots of Thoroughbred excellence.
At the national level, this was Brazil’s 12th win in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano, reinforcing its status as the most successful nation in the event. At the individual level, Obataye secured his third G1 win, adding to the GP Brasil (G1) and GP Matías Machline (G1), consolidating his status as a leading reference in turf racing over 2000–2400 meters in South America. In terms of connections, it represents a high-profile triumph for Haras Rio Iguassu and confirms Haras Palmerini’s role as a top-tier breeder on the continent’s elite calendar.
The international context of the Latinoamericano remains active: since 2016, the winners have received invitations to Ascot (UK), with the possibility of entering a compatible G1 or the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at the Royal Ascot meeting, subject to planning, ratings, and logistics. On the regional rotation, the scheduled host for 2026 is Monterrico (Peru), maintaining the event’s tradition of rotating among South America’s top racing venues. Operationally, Obataye’s (Courtier) recovery following a demanding effort over heavy turf and the planning of future targets—including a potential international campaign—are short- and medium-term decisions for his team to evaluate.
The next major event on the South American racing calendar will be the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Hipódromo de San Isidro, Argentina. This race, the region’s most prestigious turf contest and one of the oldest on the continent, will once again bring together the top representatives from each country to compete over 2400 meters on grass, with a significant purse and a world-class competitive field.
Among the confirmed names, or those on the verge of confirmation, stand out Obataye (Courtier) himself and his runner-up Medjool (Constitution), whose connections have already expressed their intent to travel from Brazil and Chile, respectively, to compete on the great international day hosted by the Hipódromo de San Isidro. In Argentina, they will be welcomed by local representative Vundu (Suggestive Boy), who will seek redemption after a discreet performance in Rio de Janeiro, reappearing on his preferred surface and distance. From Peru, Stud Jet Set is preparing a multiple-horse delegation with the intention of not only participating in the Pellegrini but also in the other Group 1 events that make up the traditional International Day at San Isidro. Uruguay’s main card will be Master Of Puppets (Put It Back), who must first pass a test in the local Carlos Pellegrini (Listed) on Montevideo’s turf to confirm his participation in Argentina’s top event.
The Jockey Club Argentino expects a technically high-level edition with broad continental representation, including international figures such as star jockey João Moreira, who will be one of the highlights of the day. Within this context, the 2025 Carlos Pellegrini is shaping up as a race of deep sporting significance, reaffirming its status as the Grand Prix of South America and the culminating event of the turf season in the Southern Hemisphere.
The statistical summary of the day is rounded out by the final order of finish and the performances of some notable contenders. Medjool (Constitution) validated his strong late kick under adverse conditions to secure second place; Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano), a brave front-runner in a strong pace over a heavy track, managed to hold third place in a dead heat with My Way (Mendelssohn); Ethereum (Courtier) completed the field, advancing without threatening the leaders. Vundu (Suggestive Boy), the overwhelming favorite, confirmed that the energy expended on the turn cost him dearly in the home stretch.
In summary, the precise tactical execution by the Obataye/Moreira duo, marked by ground-saving maneuvers, smart lane selection, and impeccable timing, was instrumental in securing the win. Second, the genetic and physical aptitude of the winner, ideally suited for classic distances and soft turf, aligns with his inbreeding profile and reflects the proven qualities of his sire, Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile). Third, Brazil’s continued dominance in the race’s historical record was reaffirmed with another commanding performance.
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