Duplo Ouro Stables' Ricardo Felizzola has owned and raced Thoroughbreds in Brazil and Uruguay for about 40 years, but he always dreamed that one day he would have a horse that could let him compete in the United States.
His patience was rewarded by No Bien Ni Mal who, on Sept. 20, announced himself on the graded scene with an authoritative 1 3/4-length triumph in the Greenwood Cup Stakes (G3) at Parx Racing.
Felizzola was on-site for the victory, having joined trainer Paulo Lobo to watch the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for a few days before making the trip to Bensalem, Pa., to see his gold silks enter the winner's circle. Felizzola has been a longtime friend of the Lobo family, with Paulo's father, Selmar, having trained for him 30 years ago at São Paolo.
"My dream was to have some operation here in the United States," Felizzola said. "I wait for (the right) horse, and the horse arrives in Brazil. Fortunately, this horse has already given me two gifts."
The first of those two gifts was the 4-year-old chestnut ridgling's U.S. debut Aug.10 when, after stumbling at the start, he outdueled Hop Sing in a stretch-long battle to win a 1 1/8-mile allowance race at Saratoga Race Course.
A son of Hofburg, No Bien Ni Mal showed promise in his native Brazil while running at distances of 6 1/2 furlongs to one mile, winning a stakes and placing twice at the group 3 level. However, he was brought to America to compete in the longer ranges of his 1 1/8-mile allowance victory and 1 1/2-mile Greenwood Cup victory.
"All the pedigree is for distance," Lobo said. "I think he has a bright future here (in America), very bright future."
A Juddmonte homebred son of Tapit , Hofburg won the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Stakes at Saratoga in 2018 after placing second in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1) and third in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (G1) behind Triple Crown winner Justify .
His dam, Una Beleza by Signal Tap, won the 2010 Grande Premio Henrique de Toledo Lara (G1) over 1 1/8 miles and the Grande Premio Diana (G1) over 1 1/4 miles en route to being named Brazil's champion 3-year-old filly.
No Bien Ni Mal got his first shot beyond a mile in December, finishing 8 1/4 lengths clear of his foes in the 1 1/4-mile Parana (G3) at Taruma in Brazil before being disqualified to ninth. A month later in Uruguay, he finished fourth in the 1 1/2-mile Gran Premio Jose P. Ramarez (G1) at Maronas, beaten three lengths.
Felizzola had received several offers to purchase the horse but, given his lifelong dream of competing in America and his relationship with Lobo, he declined them all.
"No, no, no, I go with him," Felizzola said. "Let's start my dream."
Now with a pair of victories under his belt, the dream is only going to get bigger.
"I'm building him for next year," Lobo said. "We are thinking big on this horse, maybe (the $12 million) Dubai (World Cup) next year. He's a very good horse."
Before they get to Dubai, the next task is to pick his third American start. A leading contender is the $600,000 Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs Nov. 28 over 1 1/8 miles, but Lobo has greater aspirations should an invite fall his way.
"If I get invited for the Breeders' Cup (Classic), you never know," Lobo said. "It's a mile-and-a-quarter. I think he would love that. If they gave us a chance to get an invitation, it would be great."
No Bien Ni Mal is not nominated for the Breeders' Cup and would have to pay a $100,000 supplemental fee, but the team seems willing to take the chance at Del Mar Nov. 1 on one of America's biggest stages. Lobo hopes that the international appeal the horse carries could help him earn an invitation.
"It's important because he's going to add (interest with) all South America rooting for him," Lobo said. "I think it's important to Breeders' Cup to see that."
Regardless of whether he makes the Breeders' Cup this season, he has already inspired Felizzola to look at more participation in America. Duplo Ouro Stables owns another son of Hofburg, Obstacle, who Felizzola plans to bring to the United States next year.
After two defeats in the winter, Obstacle returned from a six-month layoff Sept. 14 and stretched out from five furlongs to 1 1/8 miles to impressively take the Clasico Criadores Nacionales, a local group 3 in Uruguay, while setting a record time of 1:46.18.
"He's another spectacular horse that can come next year," Felizzola said.
Both No Bien Ni Mal and Obstacle were bred in Brazil by Haras Santa Maria de Araras, where Hofburg stands at stud. Felizzola threw praise at the operation, calling it "the biggest and the best place that breeds horses" in Brazil.
Felizzola is also a big fan of Hofburg and has supported the stallion by purchasing several of his offspring. No Bien Ni Mal is from Hofburg's first crop.
Having raced exclusively on dirt during his career, Felizzola said one of the stallion's struggles is being located in a region that emphasizes turf racing.
"In my opinion, the sons of Hofburg do much better in sand, dirt," Felizzola said. "(No Bien Ni Mal) in Brazil raced at five racetracks, looking for dirt all the time."
Debuting on grass for his first three starts, No Bien Ni Mal is now 5-for-9 on a dirt course while crossing the wire first six times on the surface when including the disqualification. Should he continue that success, and Obstacle join him, it will only help to promote Hofburg's ability at stud.
Regardless, Hofburg has already helped Felizzola do what he always wanted, and do it with success.
"My dream has come true," Felizzola said.
