Seventeen horses are set to compete in the 1.5-mile Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini International (G1) at Hipodromo de San Isidro this Saturday, featuring notable multiple Group 1 winners like Obataie and Acento Final. The victor of Argentina’s premier race will secure an automatic entry into the 2026 $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series’ “Win and You’re In” initiative.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is a global collection of stakes races where winners gain guaranteed starting spots and paid entry fees for the corresponding races at the 2026 Breeders’ Cup World Championship, scheduled for October 30-31, 2026, at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, Kentucky. The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini International kicks off the 2026 season for this series.
Fans can watch live coverage of the event on Global Media Turf’s YouTube channel, which will also feature a special segment on the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The race is set to begin at 5:30 pm ET.
In the October 18 Gran Premio Latino Americano (G1), Obataie, a 5-year-old trained by Antonio Oldoni and ridden by Haras Rio Iguazu jockey, triumphed by 1 1/2 lengths over 1 1/4 miles in challenging rainy conditions at Hipodromo da Gavea, Brazil. This marked Obataie’s third Group 1 victory, adding to his wins in the Matias McClain ABCPCC Clásica at São Paulo in August and the 2024 Premio Brasil.
Brazilian Group 1 winner Havana Cigar (BRZ), trained by Emerson Garcia, claimed a dominant 6 1/4-length victory on November 15 in the 1 1/2-mile Derby Paulista at São Paulo.
Locally, the race will be led by Acento Final, a three-time Group 1 winner owned by Jaras Pozo de Luna SA and trained by Nicolas Martin Ferro. The 4-year-old Treasure Beach progeny recently secured victories in the General San Martín (G1) at Palermo in September and the Copa de Oro-Alfredo Laver (G1) at San Isidro in November, both over 1.5 miles.
The lineup also features two more Group 1 winners: The Gladiator’s Hat, trained by Carlos Daniel Echechory, who recently won the Dardo Rocha Internacional (G1) in Buenos Aires by seven lengths; and Crazy Talent (ARG), with three wins in 2024 under trainer Miguel Suarez, including the Deonar Copajurio y Carlos Menditegui (G1) and Gran Premio Chacabuco (G1).
An exciting international element is added by equestrian star Frankie Dettori, on his South American retirement tour, co-owning and training the 5-year-old El Pulque, who has three wins.
As part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, the winner of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini International will have their entry fee covered for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, and all non-North American participants receive travel allowances to compete at the World Championship. Winners must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by October 19, 2026.
Fan Take: This race not only offers a thrilling competition with some of the best horses in South America but also strengthens international ties in horse racing by linking to the prestigious Breeders’ Cup. For fans, it highlights the global nature of the sport and the opportunity to see top talent from different regions compete on the world stage, potentially raising the profile and excitement of horse racing worldwide.
