Melgarejo was the best racehorse sired by undefeated 1891 Gran Premio Nacional and Gran Premio Jockey Club winner Amianto, and went his sire one better by winning the Argentine Triple Crown in 1906. A great racer who won a record number of stakes races during his career, he had no real chance to contribute to his breed as he died after siring only two foals.
Race record
75 starts, 32 wins, 11 seconds, 6 thirds
1906:
1907:
1908:
1909:
As an individual
A chestnut horse; no further information available.
As a stallion
Melgarejo sired only two colts, both winners.
Connections
Melgarejo was bred by Ignacio Correas at his Haras Las Ortigas. He raced for Caballeriza El Jockey, the racing operation of Dr. Rodolfo Newbery, and was trained by Alejandro Orezzoli. Later in his career, he was trained by Francisco Liceri. He stood at Benito Villanueva's Haras El Dorado. According to an unconfirmed report, he was killed by lightning during a severe summer thunderstorm.
Pedigree notes
Melgarejo is inbred 5x5 to Cowl (a stakes-winning son of 1836 Two Thousand Guineas winner Bay Middleton) and 5x5 to 1851 St. Leger Stakes winner and two-time English champion sire Newminster. He is a half brother to Maldicion (by Neapolis), dam of Uruguayan stakes winner Mascalzone.
Mimi, the dam of Melgarejo, was produced from Countess of Epsom, a daughter of the steeplechaser Cavaliero (by 1863 July Stakes winner Cambuscan). Imported to Argentina in 1888, Countess of Epsom was produced from an unnamed daughter of the Ebor Handicap winner Verdant. The Verdant Mare, in turn was produced from an unnamed daughter of Cowl.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 11, 2021
Race record
75 starts, 32 wins, 11 seconds, 6 thirds
1906:
- Won Gran Premio Nacional (Argentine Derby) (ARG, 2500m, Palermo)
- Won Gran Premio Jockey Club (ARG, 2000m, Hipódromo Nacional)
- Won Polla de Potrancas (Argentine Two Thousand Guineas) (ARG, 1600m, Palermo)
- Won Premio Comparación (ARG)
- Won Premio Buenos Aires (ARG)
- Won Premio Guillermo Kemmis (ARG)
- Won Premio General Lavalle (ARG)
- Won Premio Santiago Luro (ARG)
- Won Premio La Madrid (ARG)
- Won Premio Raul Chevalier (ARG)
- Won Premio Eliseo Ramirez (ARG)
- Won Premio Iniciacion (ARG)
- Won Premio Lanus (ARG)
- Won Premio Omnium (ARG)
1907:
- Won Premio Comparación (ARG)
- Won Premio Otoño (ARG)
- Won Premio General Belgrano (ARG)
- Won Premio Porteño (ARG)
- Won Premio Congreso (ARG)
- Won Premio Ensayo (ARG)
- Won Premio Maipú (ARG)
- Won Premio Apertura (ARG)
1908:
- Won Premio 9 de Julio (ARG)
- Won Premio San Martín (ARG)
- Won Premio Hipódromo Argentino (ARG, Palermo)
- Won Premio General Belgrano (ARG)
- Won Premio Maipú (ARG)
- Won Premio Congreso (ARG)
- Won Premio Capital (ARG)
1909:
- Won Premio America (USA)
- Won Premio Palermo (USA)
As an individual
A chestnut horse; no further information available.
As a stallion
Melgarejo sired only two colts, both winners.
Connections
Melgarejo was bred by Ignacio Correas at his Haras Las Ortigas. He raced for Caballeriza El Jockey, the racing operation of Dr. Rodolfo Newbery, and was trained by Alejandro Orezzoli. Later in his career, he was trained by Francisco Liceri. He stood at Benito Villanueva's Haras El Dorado. According to an unconfirmed report, he was killed by lightning during a severe summer thunderstorm.
Pedigree notes
Melgarejo is inbred 5x5 to Cowl (a stakes-winning son of 1836 Two Thousand Guineas winner Bay Middleton) and 5x5 to 1851 St. Leger Stakes winner and two-time English champion sire Newminster. He is a half brother to Maldicion (by Neapolis), dam of Uruguayan stakes winner Mascalzone.
Mimi, the dam of Melgarejo, was produced from Countess of Epsom, a daughter of the steeplechaser Cavaliero (by 1863 July Stakes winner Cambuscan). Imported to Argentina in 1888, Countess of Epsom was produced from an unnamed daughter of the Ebor Handicap winner Verdant. The Verdant Mare, in turn was produced from an unnamed daughter of Cowl.
Fun facts
- Manuel Mariano Melgarejo Valencia was the president of Bolivia from December 28, 1864, until January 15, 1871. He was known for extreme bravery but also for mulishly stubborn and impulsive behavior. His tyrannical rule and ill-judged decisions involving both internal and foreign affairs eventually led to his expulsion from the presidency and his assassination after he fled to Peru.
- Melgarejo was the first Gran Premio National winner to be sired by an Argentine-bred stallion. The sires of the previous winners had all been bred in England or France.
- Melgarejo was unbeaten through his sweep of the Argentine Triple Crown, paralleling the later accomplishments in the United States of Seattle Slew and Justify.
- At the time of his retirement, Melgarejo held the Argentine records both for career earnings and for total number of stakes victories.
Last updated: September 11, 2021