It’s hard to overestimate the impact Queen Azteca’s UAE Oaks win had on jockey Carlos Lopez.
The race might only have been a Group 3, but it was huge for Chilean-born Lopez and his adopted homeland, the racing conglomerate of Scandinavia.
Queen Azteca’s UAE Oaks win impressed jockey Carlos Lopez (Pic – DRC)
The jockey has won nine Derbies and – in his words – “all the big races in Scandinavia,” but Queen Azteca’s reeling in of pacesetter Arigatou Gozaimasu by a dramatic three-quarters of a length on 21 February was a career highlight.
“It was amazing, exciting,” says the 43-year-old, who moved to Denmark from Chile in 2000. “When the horse in front of me took off on the bend I thought I wasn’t going to catch her, but my filly was very brave and she caught her on the line.
“The Oaks is my biggest win. I won a Group 3 in Germany, too, but this is very special – I have it in my heart.”
Of the Niels Petersen-trained Queen Azteca, who was purchased by her trainer and Edgar Byrne at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale for just 30,000gns, he adds: “She’s so calm normally but she’s a fighter and she has character. When she gets angry, she gets angry!”
Queen Azteca will need that fighting spirit and much more when she takes on a field of colts in the Gr2 UAE Derby (sponsored by Jumeirah) on Saturday, 5 April. She will be the lone Scandinavian on the card, and a first ride on the big night for Lopez.
“This is my first time in the Dubai World Cup meeting, so I’m excited,” he says. “I have a very nice horse and I there will be a strong pace which will suit her as she never gives up. I think we will see more from her this time.
“I think the whole of Scandinavia is looking forward to this day.”
