La Llosa Wins 85th Anniversary Grand Prix at Zarzuela Racecourse
La Llosa secured victory in the Gran Premio 85.º Aniversario at Madrid’s Hipódromo de la Zarzuela, overhauling See The Dream in the final metres of Sunday’s feature race. Marking the venue’s anniversary celebrations on November 1, the milestone meeting featured six races under a bright sun, with the racecourse drawing family crowds to its historic 110-hectare grounds.
The decisive fifth race brought together nine fillies and mares aged three years and older across a 1,600-metre Category A course. See The Dream set the pace for the entire duration before La Llosa, trained by Guillermo Arizkorreta and ridden by Václav Janáček for Yeguada Rocío, claimed first place. See The Dream finished second nearly two lengths back, while Leyhaimur took third place a mere neck behind the runner-up, as reported by hipodromodelazarzuela.es.
Opening Ovidio Rodríguez and Juvenile Contenders Set the Morning Pace
Racing action on November 1 opened with the Premio Ovidio Rodríguez over 1,200 metres in a straight line, reserved for apprentices, young professional riders, and professionals who had not secured twelve wins since September 1, 2025. Eleven horses lined up, culminating in a head-to-head duel between Empel and Ballistic Missile. Cuadra La Corona de Togoyo’s Empel took the win under jockey Gabriel Arguinzones and trainer Jessica Jiménez, finishing half a length ahead of Ballistic Missile, with Noisy Night following more than five lengths back.
The Premio Fabio de Turnes gathered seven two-year-olds over 1,800 metres in a Category C test designed for horses yet to secure two victories or a 15,000-euro prize. Silent Faith surged past Skyred by over a length on the outside to win for Cuadra Ezenel, trainer Álvaro Soto, and jockey Denisa Sikorová, with Mello Mello finishing third by just a head.
Handicap Battles and Long-Distance Tests Shape the Afternoon Card
The afternoon continued with the Premio Roque Nublo over 1,500 metres, serving as the second part of the divided handicap after the withdrawal of Kokushoku and Nordeste. Imonfire triumphed for Cuadra Manu Polo, guided by jockey Nico de Julián and trainer Fernando Pérez. Asahi crossed the finish line less than a length behind the winner, with Lady Cocody taking third by a nose.
In the Premio Karluv Most over the same 1,500-metre distance for the first part of the handicap, Kooza charged through the final stretch to win for the Mediterráneo colors, trainer Graciela Rodríguez, and jockey Jaime Gelabert. Max’s Thunder finished second over a length behind, followed by Shine Sun in third position at a half-length margin.
The final race of the day, the Premio Francisco Cadenas, tested ten stayers over a 3,200-metre Category C fondo handicap—the longest distance on the card. Dancelot dominated the race for Cuadra Marqués de Miraflores de San Antonio, trainer Christian Delcher, and jockey Victoria Alonso, finishing over three lengths clear of Al Fin and Chenel in a tight battle for minor placings.
Upcoming Race Meetings and Historical Significance
The Madrid racecourse prepares for its next fixture on Sunday, November 8, featuring a six-race program highlighted by the Gran Premio Román Martín.
Operated by the state holding company Grupo SEPI, Hipódromo de La Zarzuela occupies 110 hectares of ecological value within the Spanish capital. Its grandstands remain recognized examples of 20th-century Madrid architecture under National Historic Heritage protections.
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