Much Better (BRZ)
August 14, 1989 – 2002
Baynoun (IRE) x Charming Doll (BRZ), by Brac II (ARG)
Family 13-c
August 14, 1989 – 2002
Baynoun (IRE) x Charming Doll (BRZ), by Brac II (ARG)
Family 13-c
Much Better was arguably the best South American racehorse of 1993/94, dominating his peers in Brazil and winning both Argentina’s most important event for runners aged 3 and up, the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (ARG-G1), and the Gran Premio Latinoamericana (ARG-G1), which brings together the best runners from all over the continent as it rotates between countries. One of the earliest top Brazilian horses to venture to Europe, he also ran in the 1994 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, though without success. He was a champion again in his native land during the 1995/96 racing season but had only a short stud career, which was attended by some success.
Race record
27 starts, 10 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third
1993:
1994:
1995:
1996:
Honors
As an individual
A handsome bay horse, Much Better was lengthy and well-made. He had a sharp turn of foot.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Much Better sired 82 winners (56.2%) and 10 stakes winners (6.8%) from 146 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per El Turf (https://elturf.com):
Notable progeny
Hero’s Son (BRZ), Istbestand (BRZ), Mamangava (BRZ)
Connections
Much Better was bred by Haras J. B. Barros. He was owned by Stud TNT. He was trained by João Luiz Maciel.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Group winner Baynoun, Much Better is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to Lua Bonita, dam of Uruguayan listed stakes winner Gumpy (by Delvecchio).
Much Better is out of Charming Doll (by the stakes-winning Aristophanes horse Brac II), a full sister to Grande Prêmio Taça Pinheiro de Ouro (BRZ-G3) winner Ideologist. Charming Doll is also a half sister to Group 2-placed Blue Hill (by Sahib), second dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Luna da Guanabara and third dam of Brazilian Group 2 winner Ballian.
Charming Doll and her siblings are out of Pintora (by multiple Brazilian stakes winner Novo Mundo, by 1947 Prix du Jockey Club winner Sandjar). Produced from Graciosa (by 1950 Prix La Fleche winner Mon Cheri, by 1934 Grand Prix de Paris winner Admiral Drake), Pintora won the 1966 Grande Prêmio Henrique Possolo and the 1966 Grande Prêmio Barão de Piracicaba, both now Group 1 races in Brazil. She is a half sister to Uau (by Zenabre), dam of Brazilian stakes winner Ulla (by Faxeiro).
Books and media
A video of Much Better’s victory in the 1994 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oylRqmH8bY.
Last updated: September 26, 2026
Race record
27 starts, 10 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third
1993:
- Won Grande Prêmio Antônio Joaquim Peixoto de Castro Júnior (BRZ-G2, 2000mT, Gávea)
- 2nd Grande Prêmio Brasil (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Gávea)
- 2nd Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional (ARG-G1, 2400mT, San Isidro)
- 2nd Grande Prêmio João Borges Filho (BRZ-G2, 2400mT, Gávea)
1994:
- Won Grande Prêmio Brasil (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Gávea)
- Won Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional (ARG-G1, 2400mT, San Isidro)
- Won Gran Premio Latinoamericana de Jockey Clubs (ARG-G1, 2100mD, La Plata)
- Won Grande Prêmio São Paulo (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Cidade Jardim)
- 2nd Copa ANPC Classica (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Gávea)
1995:
- 2nd Grande Prêmio Copa ANPC Classica-Mathias Machline (BRZ-G1, 2400mT, Gávea)
1996:
- Won Grande Prêmio Asociacion Latino Americana de Jockey Clubs (BRZ-G1, 2000mT, Gávea)
- Won Grande Prêmio Dezesseis de Julho (BRZ-G2, 2400mT, Gávea)
- Won Grande Prêmio Presidente Arthur da Costa e Silva (BRZ-G3, 2000mT, Gávea)
Honors
- Brazilian Horse of the Year (1993/94)
- Brazilian champion older male (1995/96)
As an individual
A handsome bay horse, Much Better was lengthy and well-made. He had a sharp turn of foot.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Much Better sired 82 winners (56.2%) and 10 stakes winners (6.8%) from 146 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per El Turf (https://elturf.com):
- 4th on the Uruguayan general sire list in 2004; 9th in 2005.
Notable progeny
Hero’s Son (BRZ), Istbestand (BRZ), Mamangava (BRZ)
Connections
Much Better was bred by Haras J. B. Barros. He was owned by Stud TNT. He was trained by João Luiz Maciel.
Pedigree notes
Sired by multiple Group winner Baynoun, Much Better is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to Lua Bonita, dam of Uruguayan listed stakes winner Gumpy (by Delvecchio).
Much Better is out of Charming Doll (by the stakes-winning Aristophanes horse Brac II), a full sister to Grande Prêmio Taça Pinheiro de Ouro (BRZ-G3) winner Ideologist. Charming Doll is also a half sister to Group 2-placed Blue Hill (by Sahib), second dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Luna da Guanabara and third dam of Brazilian Group 2 winner Ballian.
Charming Doll and her siblings are out of Pintora (by multiple Brazilian stakes winner Novo Mundo, by 1947 Prix du Jockey Club winner Sandjar). Produced from Graciosa (by 1950 Prix La Fleche winner Mon Cheri, by 1934 Grand Prix de Paris winner Admiral Drake), Pintora won the 1966 Grande Prêmio Henrique Possolo and the 1966 Grande Prêmio Barão de Piracicaba, both now Group 1 races in Brazil. She is a half sister to Uau (by Zenabre), dam of Brazilian stakes winner Ulla (by Faxeiro).
Books and media
A video of Much Better’s victory in the 1994 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oylRqmH8bY.
Last updated: September 26, 2026