Grande Prêmio Brasil

The Grande Prêmio Brasil is a Group 1 stakes race at Hipódromo da Gávea, at the city of Rio de Janeiro. The race is run left-handed on a turf track, for thoroughbreds three-years-old and up (3yo+), and is the main race in the Brazilian racing calendar.

History
The Grand Prêmio Brasil was first run on August 1, 1933, a Sunday. The race brought together the best Brazilian racehorses of the time, the idea of Linneo de Paula Machado, president of the then newly formed Jockey Club Brasileiro.

The first running was won by the Brazilian-bred Mossoró, sired by Kitchner, foaled at the Pernambuco state, and ridden by Justiniano Mesquita.

Six horses have won the race twice: Albatroz (1943, 1944), Helíaco (1947, 1948), Gualicho (1952, 1953), Zenabre (1965, 1966), Villach King (1991, 1993), and George Washington (2019, 2021).

The race was first run at a distance of 3000 meters (approximately $1 1/2$ miles or 15 furlongs). Since 1972, it has been run at a distance of 2400 meters (approximately 1$1 7/8$ miles or 12 furlongs).

In 1959, Narvik set a world record for 3000 meters, winning the Grande Prêmio Brasil in a time of 3:02$1⁄2$.

In 1963, the starting tape malfunctioned and did not rise evenly, leaving four horses stuck behind the tape. The starter was unable to stop the race.

In 2023, second place finisher Online was demoted and placed sixteenth following a stewards' inquiry.

Timeline

 * 1933 – First edition is run.
 * 1959 – 3000 meter world record set by Narvik.
 * 1972 – The distance is changed from 3000 meters to 2400 meters.
 * 2014 – Bal a Bali becomes the first three-year-old winner. First edition to be a part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series.

Race Day
Traditionally ran in the first Sunday of August, its date was changed to June from 2014 on, in order to integrate the race into the calendar of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, as in 2014 the race began awarding its winner with an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Records
Speed record:


 * 2400 meters (current distance): 2:23.93 – L'Amico Steve (2007)
 * 3000 meters: 3:02$3⁄5$ – Narvik (1959)

Most wins:


 * 2 – Albatroz (1943, 1944)
 * 2 – Helíaco (1947, 1948)
 * 2 – Gualicho (1952, 1953)
 * 2 – Zenabre (1965, 1966)
 * 2 – Villach King (1991, 1993)
 * 2 – George Washington (2019, 2021)

Most wins by a jockey:


 * 5 – Juvenal Machado da Silva (1979, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1990)
 * 3 – Luiz Rigoni (1954, 1970, 1971)
 * 3 – Dendico Garcia (1964, 1965, 1966)
 * 3 – Carlos Lavor (1989, 1991, 1993)

Most wins by a trainer:


 * 6 – Ernani de Freitas (1939, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1975)
 * 6 – Venâncio Nahid (1990, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2020)
 * 5 – Dulcino Guignoni (2000, 2001, 2002, 2011, 2014)
 * 5 – Luis Esteves (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)

Most wins by an owner:


 * 7 – Stud Linneo de Paula Machado/Haras São José e Expedictus (1943, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1975, 1979, 1985)
 * 4 – Haras Santa Maria de Araras (1989, 1991, 1993, 2013)
 * 3 – Antenor Lara Campos (1935, 1937, 1940)
 * 3 – Stud Almeida Prado & Assumpção (1952, 1953, 1960)
 * 3 – Haras Santa Ana do Rio Grande (1984, 1987, 1992)

Most wins by a breeder:


 * 10 – Linneo de Paula Machado/Haras São José e Expedictus (1939, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1975, 1979, 1985, 2001, 2008)
 * 5 – Haras Santa Maria de Araras (1989, 1991, 1993, 2013, 2014)
 * 3 – Haras Santa Ana do Rio Grande (1987, 1988, 1992)

Winners
† designates a filly or mare