The Clásico El Ensayo, also known as the Clásico El Ensayo Mega for sponsorship reasons, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Chile open to three-year-olds, run at Club Hípico de Santiago in Santiago, run over a distance of .2021 IFHA Blue Book The race was first held in 1873, making it the fourth oldest horse race in the Americas (after the Queen's Plate, Travers Stakes, and Belmont Stakes), and the oldest in Latin America.
It is generally considered the most important horse race in Chile, on par with the Epsom Derby, the American classics, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France and the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini in Argentina. It is the first race in the Chilean Triple Crown.
El Ensayo is restricted to only horses that have won at least one race.
History The Clásico El Ensayo was first run at a distance of 1200 meters, and has been contested at a variety of distances:
1200 meters: 1873–1880 1500 meters: 1881–1883 1600 meters: 1884–1892 1800 meters: 1893–1904, 1908 1900 meters: 1905–1907, 1909 2000 meters: 1910–1920 2300 meters: 1921–1925 2400 meters: 1926 to present Of the first eight editions contested, six were won by horses sired by Fanfarrón.
The greatest upsets were the 104-1 victory of Parral in 1947 and the 98-1 victory of Cambridge in 2018.
In the early twentieth century, imported horses could run in the race, but by the 1950s, the race was restricted to Chilean-bred horses only, a restriction which lasted until 1984.
Starting gates were first used in the 1971 edition.
The running of 1999 was considered the 'feast of fillies', with fillies coming in first, second, third, and fourth.
Since 2004, the race has been consistently timed to one-hundredth of a second.
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race was run in December instead of its usual date in late October or early November.
Records Speed Record:
2:23.21 – Wolf (1990) 2:23 2/5 – Monroe (1986) Most wins by a jockey:
7 – Carlos M. Zavala (1877, 1881, 1882, 1883, 185, 1887, 1891, 1895) 6 – Luis Torres (1995, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2013)
Most wins by a trainer:
10 – Patricio Baeza (2006, 2009, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 7 – Juan Cavieres Mella (1922, 1930, 1934, 1938, 1945, 1954, 1960) 6 – Juan Cavieres A. (1982, 1983, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2004)
Most wins by an owner (since 1954):
5 – Stud Don Alberto (2006, 2008, 2016, 2021, 2022) 4 – Stud Matancilla (1980, 1983, 1989, 1992)
Most wins by a breeder:
9 – Haras Don Alberto (1994, 2006, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024) 8 – Haras Santa Isabel (1927, 1963, 1965, 1972, 1974, 1978) 8 – Haras Matancilla (1976, 1980, 1983, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2009) 7 – Haras de Pirque (1988, 1998, 2000) 7 – Haras Santa Amelia (1968, 1971, 1982, 1990, 1996, 1997, 2004)
Winners since 1954 YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerBreederTimeRef2024Doña Clota ƒOscar UlloaPatricio Baeza A.Doña LiliStud Haras Don Alberto2:27.202023Kay ArmyOscar UlloaPatricio Baeza A.Stud IdenticAgricola Taomina Ltda.2:29.462022FortinoOscar UlloaPatricio Baeza A.Stud Haras Don AlbertoStud Haras Don Alberto2:26.872021Y Nada MásƒOscar UlloaPatricio Baeza A.Stud Haras Don AlbertoStud Haras Don Alberto2:27.412020BreakpointKevin EspinaPatricio Baeza A.Stud R.T.Stud Haras Don Alberto2:29.142019Look PenGonzalo UlloaPatricio Baeza A.Stud IdenticAgricola Taomina Ltda.2:26.182018CambridgePedro RoblesJorge A. Inda de la C.Stud Doña ElianaStud Haras Don Alberto2:26.482017Robert BruceJorge A. GonzalezPatricio Baeza A.Haras Convento ViejoHaras Convento Viejo2:26.142016Color Rosa ƒHernan E. UlloaJorge Inda M.Stud Haras Don AlbertoStud Haras Don Alberto2:25.642015Wapi ƒGonzalo UlloaJuan C. Silva S.Stud VendavalHaras Paso Nevado2:24.222014Il CampioneHéctor I. BerríosSergio Inda M.Stud AlvidalHaras Paso Nevado2:23.562013SpositoLuis TorresGuillermo Aguirre A.Haras CuricheHaras Curiche2:25.602012Giant's StepsHéctor I. BerríosPatricio Baeza A.Los TanderosHaras Puerta de Hierro2:27.112011Dime QueElías ToledoMiguel Medina T.Haras Porta PíaHaras Porta Pía2:25.032010El FarreroFernando DíazJorge Inda M.Stud MasaivaHaras Paso Nevado2:25.602009Belle Watling ƒHéctor I. BerríosPatricio Baeza A.Stud Don TheoHaras Matancilla2:24.542008Stolen Heart ƒVictor MirandaGerardo Silva B.Stud Haras Don AlbertoStud Haras Don Alberto2:27.332007Paloma Infiel ƒRafael CisternasHéctor Castillo S.Haras El SheikHaras El Sheik2:26.842006Eres Magica ƒFernando DíazPatricio Baeza A.Stud Haras Don AlbertoStud Haras Don Alberto2:24.952005PorfidoLuis TorresJorge Inda M.Haras SumayaHaras Sumaya2:26.092004PecoiquenClaudio AcevedoJuan Cavieres A.StanamelinoHaras Santa Amelia2:24.942003PelLuis TorresPedro Polanco B.KokekilHaras Casablanca2:26.202002VeedorGonzalo UlloaJuan Silva G.Stud VendavalHaras Paso Nevado2:27.602001CrisantemoGustavo BarreraEmilio Quiroga I.Stud GuzoHaras Matancilla2:24.602000PenamacorLuis TorresJuan Cavieres A.Stud GuhaHaras de Pirque2:26.001999Crystal House ƒLuis TorresJuan Cavieres A.Stud El CedroHaras Matancilla2:26.11998PerssonetJohann AlbornozSamuel Fuentes P.Haras Rio EncoHaras de Pirque2:27.01997PompeyoHéctor BarreraJosé T. Allende F.Stud PanguipulliHaras Santa Amelia2:24.11996Dancing PlaceLuis MuñozJosé T. Allende F.Stud Santa AmeliaHaras Santa Amelia2:25.31995HusaresLuis TorresJuan Cavieres A.Stud SoledadHaras Villa Rosa2:27.31994Pradilla ƒPedro SantosOscar Gonzalez G.Stud TrilyStud Haras Don Alberto2:26.01993Early GrayHéctor SalazarJorge Inda G.Stud CinziaHaras Picoltue2:25.11992Penumbra ƒLuis MuñozAlvaro Breque V.Stud MatancillaHaras Matancilla2:28.31991Porta Pia ƒHéctor SalazarAlfredo Bagu R.Stud Don CottoHaras Figuron2:26.01990WolfLuis MuñozJosé T. Allende F.Haras Santa AmeliaHaras Santa Amelia2:23.211989ChangoSergio VásquezAntonio Bullezú M.Stud MatancillaHaras Matancilla2:24.41988CharlatánSergio VásquezTeófilo Jacial A.Teófilo Jacial A.Haras Blackie2:23.41987WarriorOscar EscobarAlfonso Zamorano B.Stud MartinoHaras Martino2:25.01986MonroeJuan BarrazaJosé Melero B.Stud SURHaras Villa Rosa2:23.21985LamentadoGustavo BarreraAlvaro Breque V.Stud CimeraHaras Dadinco2:26.21984PunchRoberto PérezAntonio Bullezú N.Stud El BosqueHaras Pucudegua2:25 4/51983LonquimaySergio VásquezJuan Cavieres A.Stud MatancillaHaras Matancilla2:241982ChestertonSergio VásquezJuan Cavieres A.Patricio Baeza A.Haras Santa Amelia2:25 2/51981Saint MesmeClaudio LeightonPedro Bagú H.Stud IbizaHaras La Capilla2:251980Premio NobelElías SilvaPedro Medina Ch.Stud MatancillaHaras Matancilla2:25 1/51979Songe Bleu ƒClaudio LeightonAquiles E. MartínezStud Titi2:301978PersonAlberto PobleteTeófilo Jacial A.Stud CastillaHaras Santa Isabel2:26 3/51977Clear SongAlberto PobleteOscar Silva G.Stud Max ValHaras Santa Cecilia2:27 2/51976GalenoRodrigo CeaPedro Medina Ch.Stud SoniaHaras Matancilla2:291975Royal ChampionJosé M. AravenaFernando Jacial A.Stud ChampionHaras Santa Eladia2:28 1/51974StrongJosé M. AravenaAntonio Bullezú N.Stud ChimbarongoHaras Santa Isabel2:28 3/51973Espadaña ƒCarlos RiveraVictorino RomoStud MaculHaras El Bosque2:28 2/51972Protectora ƒValentín UbillaDelfin BernalSergio KohonHaras Santa Isabel2:26 2/51971El TirónCarlos A. PezoaErnesto Inda G.Stud Los ConejitosHaras Santa Amelia2:271970NaspurCarlos SepúlvedaCésar Covarrubias V.Haras El BosqueHaras El Bosque2:26 4/51969VagabundoCarlos AstorgaAlvaro Breque V.Haras DadincoHaras Scelto2:26 1/51968ZenithAurelio NuñezLuis GajardoStud ZenitHaras Santa Amelia2:28 1/51967QuilcheHéctor PilarAlvaro Breque V.Stud ArizcúnHaras Scelto2:26 4/51966Rayita ƒAurelio NuñezLuis RomeroStud MontecarloHaras Los Helechos2:261965PrólogoCarlos AstorgaCésar Covarrubias V.Stud Santa IsabelHaras Santa Isabel2:27 4/51964MaporalSergio VeraJorge Inda G.Stud Capri2:28 3/51963Par de AsesEnrique ArayaOsvaldo JaraStud L. O. S. O.Haras Santa Isabel2:281962CuricheLuis EspinozaLuis EspinozaEstanislao Anguita A.Haras Curiche2:271961Miss Therese ƒRogelio ParodiJorge Inda G.Stud Capri2:271960La Sexta ƒEnrique ArayaJuan Cavieres M.Stud La BastilleHaras Curiche2:261959MaritainPedro UlloaAntonio Bullezú N.Stud Anita2:30 3/51958TolpánOmar OlivaresFernando León F.Stud Haras VictoriaHaras Victoria2:27 2/51957BabúEnrique ArayaAlvaro Breque V.Stud La CandelariaHaras La Soledad2:281956Aysha ƒA. SalazarCarlos RodríguezStud EffieHaras San Juan2:28 1/51955Eugenia ƒLuis EspinozaValentín RamírezGermán Reckman2:28 2/51954Provita ƒAlfonso PobleteJuan Cavieres M.Santiago Lyon S.Haras La Isla2:28 3/5
ƒ indicates a filly winner
Earlier winners
1873: Dinorah* ƒ 1874: Pensamiento* ƒ 1875: Gavilán* 1876: Reina Mora* ƒ 1877: Danubio 1878: Pilpilco* 1879: Moro* 1880: Godolphin* 1881: Liguria* 1882: Pisco 1883: Miraflores ƒ 1884: Esperanza† ƒ 1885: Cachaporal 1886: Genovés 1887: Wanderer 1888: Querelema* ƒ 1889: Orompello* 1890: Rosicler* 1891: Sky ƒ 1892: Floriana* ƒ 1893: Thunder* 1894: Triunfo* 1895: Toldería ƒ 1896: Gibelet 1897: Oro 1898: Orbetello* 1899: Game* 1900: Paulette* ƒ 1901: Nanette ƒ 1902: Rebeca ƒ 1903: Yolanda* ƒ 1904: Nutmeg* ƒ 1905: Petrarque* 1906: Hasard 1907: Pehuenco* 1908: Jongleur 1909: Turín 1910: Jaque Mate* 1911: Belle Etoile* ƒ 1912: Iscariote 1913: Sándalo* 1914: Rochela ƒ 1915: Dorama ƒ 1916: Captain* 1917: Epsom 1918: Cervantes 1919: Ugolin 1920: Auvernia 1921: Flapper 1922: Greenock 1923: Almodovar 1924: Urbión 1925: El Ocho 1926: Decurión 1927: Tutti Frutti 1928: Melchor 1929: Pierre Loti 1930: Freire 1931: Trampiato 1932: Kashmir ƒ 1933: Chansonnier 1934: Quemazón ƒ 1935: Rokof 1936: El Mago 1937: Rosarina ƒ 1938: Grimsby‡ 1939: Fouché 1940: Filibustero 1941: Rival 1942: Figaro 1943: Quemarropa 1944: Barranco 1945: Tábano 1946: Florete 1947: Parral 1948: Taimado 1949: Olimpo 1950: Empire 1951: Liberty 1952: Antar 1953: Saint Oregon
* "Mestizo"; not a pure Thoroughbred. Many early Chilean races, including El Ensayo, were open to "mestizo" horses who weren't full Thoroughbred.
ƒ indicates a filly winner
†Esperanza was declared the winner after the disqualification of Stockwell.
‡Dead-heat between Grimsby and Valeriano, with the win awarded to Grimsby.
Notes
References
External links
Official website