Gran Premio Estrellas Classic

The Gran Premio Estrellas Classic is a Group 1 horse race that is part of the Carreras de las Estrellas and is open to horses three years old or older. It is run over a distance of either on the turf at Hipódromo de San Isidro or on the dirt at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo. The Gran Premio Estrellas Classic is considered the feature race of the Carreras de las Estrellas.

History

The Gran Premio Estrellas Classic was added to the Carreras de las Estrellas in its second year, 1992. That first year, the race was restricted to three-year-olds only. Since then, the race has been open to horses three-years-old and up. The Gran Premio Estrellas Classic is inspired by the Breeders' Cup Classic.
With his 1998 victory, El Compinche became the first, and, as of 2024, only, horse to win the Gran Premio Estrellas Classic more than once, although in non-consecutive years.
Refinado Tom won the Gran Premio Estrellas Classic in 1999 as part of his comeback following a disappointed campaign in the United States and three years after his 1996 win the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile. He won in stakes record time that still stands as of 2024.
In the 2012 edition, the Gran Premio Estrellas Classic was restricted to winners only.

Records

Speed record:

1:57.78 – Refinado Tom

Greatest winning margin:

14 lengths – Contante

Most wins:

2 – El Compinche

Most wins by a jockey:

6 – Juan Carlos Noriega
4 – Jacinto R. Herrera
3 – Gustavo E. Calvente
3 – F. Fernandes Gonçalves

Most wins by a trainer:

5 – Roberto Pellegatta
3 – Juan Carlos Etchechoury
3 – Ernesto Eusebio Romero

Most wins by an owner:

2 – Stud Tori
2 – Haras La Quebrada
2 – Stud Las Hormigas
2 – Stud Dark Horse
2 – Stud Las Canarias
2 – Haras Firmamento

Most wins by a breeder:

5 – Haras Firmamento
5 – Haras La Quebrada
3 – Haras La Madrugada
3 – Haras Las Dos Manos
3 – Haras Abolengo