Haras Rio Iguassu's 5-year-old Obataye surged past five rivals in the final furlong to capture the 1 1/2-mile Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional (G1) Dec. 13 at Hipodromo de San Isidro. With this victory, Obataye, ridden by Joao Moreira, earned the first automatic starting position into next year's $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races, whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland in Lexington. The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional was the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race for the 2026 event.
Watch Obataye win the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional to secure the first #WinAndYoureIn spot to #BC26! Cheers to the connections!pic.twitter.com/Nl9hWYciFu
— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) December 13, 2025
Obataye, trained by Antonio Oldoni, won his third group 1 race this year, and has captured South America's two most prestigious races back to back, having taken the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) in Brazil in his previous start. A son of Courtier out of the Crimson Tide mare Surfi'n USA, Obataye completed the 1 1/2 miles in 2:24.14 over a course listed as "normal." He registered his 10th win in 18 starts.
In one of the deepest Carlos Pellegrini fields in recent years, Obataye faced 16 rivals as the 4-1 favorite. He sat in midpack through the first half-mile while Jazzy Frank set the early fractions followed closely behind by Vota Bien. Coming out of the final turn, Moreira swung his mount toward the middle of the course, while The Gladiator's Hat made a powerful surge along the inside for the lead. Obataye then shifted into high gear and swooped past his foes to the inside and onto a 1 1/2-length victory over The Gladiator's Hat.
Havana Cigar finished third, followed by Vota Bien in fourth.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Obataye to start in the Breeders' Cup Turf, which will be run at 1 1/2 miles. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 19, 2026, in order to receive the rewards.
