The South American leg of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In continues June 22 with the Grande Premio Brasil (G1), led by group 1 winner Sinsel, at Hipodromo da Gavea in Rio De Janeiro, and the Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima, Peru, headlined by Clasico Republica Argentina (G3) winner Mathilde.
The Grande Premio Brasil winner gains a free berth into the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), and the winner of the Gran Premio Pamplona earns a guaranteed starting position into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).
Stud Red Rafa's 3-year-old Sinsel leads a field of 20 runners in the 1 1/2-mile Grande Premio Brasil. Trained by Luiz Esteves, the son of 2012 Travers Stakes (G1) winner Alpha will be making his sixth start. He won the March 9 Franciso Eduardo e Linneo Eduardo de Paula Machado (G1) going 1 1/4 miles by three-quarters of a length. Staying in group 1 company in his next start, Sinsel finished second to Nudini by 3 1/4 lengths in the April 6 Cruzeiro do Sul (Brazilian Derby, G1) at 1 1/2 miles over a heavy course at Gavea.
Stud Arare's Nudini, a 3-year-old son of 2011 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Drosselmeyer, has relished the 1 1/2-mile distance. In addition to the Cruzeiro do Sul, he won last December's Marques de Tamandare (G2) by 3 3/4 lengths going 1 1/2 miles. Trained by Julio Cezar Sampaio, Nudini is seeking his sixth career win.
Last year's winner and Brazil's 3-year-old champion colt of 2024, Obataye, has been entered by Haras Rio Iguassu for a title defense. Sired by Courtier, Obataye has won seven of 14 races for trainer Antonio Oldoni, and is looking to rebound from a fourth-place finish in the May 4 Grande Premio Sao Paulo (G1) over 1 1/2 miles at Cidade Jardim.
Jet Set Enters Gran Premio Pamplona Trio
Three stars owned by Stud Jet Set and trained by Juan Suarez Villarroel—Mathilde, Forty Angela, and defending champion Boudica─are among 15 fillies and mares entered in the Gran Premio Pamplona.
Mathilde, a 4-year-old daughter of Galapiat, has won two of three starts this year at Monterrico, which includes a March 2 allowance victory at 1 3/16 miles and a triumph by a nose over Forty Angela in the May 25 Clasico Republica Argentina at 1 1/4 miles. She has won six of 13 starts, including the Gran Premio Nacional Augusto B. Leguia (G1) in 2023.
Forty Angela, a 3-year-old daughter of Fortify, has two group stakes wins in the 2024-25 season, with consecutive scores at Monterrico in the Oct. 20 Clasico Oscar Berckemeyer Pazos (G3) and the Nov. 17 Clasico Postin (G2) at 1 1/2 miles. She finished third and second, respectively, in two allowance starts at Monterrico prior to the Clasico Republica Argentina.
Boudica, Peru's 2024 champion grass mare, scored a one-length victory in last year's Gran Premio Pamplona. A 4-year-old daughter of The Lieutenant, she has four wins, including the listed April 13 Clasico Ernesto Ayulo Pardo at 1 1/4 miles, and a fourth-place finish in the Clasico Republica Argentina.
Stud Amistad's La Kika, the 2024 Peruvian Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly, has won five of 10 starts for trainer Luis Quimper, including group 1 titles in the Sept. 15 Clasico Polla de Potrancas (G1) at a mile on dirt and the Dec. 15 Gran Premio Nacional Augusto B. Leguia on turf going 1 3/4 miles. The daughter of Badge of Silver will be looking to reverse off-the-board finishes in her last two starts, including a fifth-place result in the Clasico Republica Argentina.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
