The El Wing Homebred Colt Proves a Decisive Winner of the Estrellas Festival’s Main Event
The Authority of Need You Tonight’s Victory Is Clear in the Photo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO
For the second time this season, Need You Tonight showcased his full talent at the highest level, leaving no doubt that he is the top dirt stayer in Argentina. Just as he had done in May when capturing the G1 Gran Premio República Argentina, the son of Hat Ninja imposed his class again on Saturday, this time in the G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Classic (2000m, ARS 62,000,000 to the winner), the marquee event for older horses during the 35th edition of the Estrellas festival at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo.
With the unmistakable stamp of his quality, Need You Tonight required neither a perfect trip nor risky moves to assert his superiority. Confident in his abilities, and under a brilliant ride by Maximiliano Aserito, he settled well off the pace, racing wide and clear of traffic as the leaders traded turns up front through steady fractions.
When Aserito asked him for his run in earnest turning into the stretch, the response was immediate and emphatic. Striding resolutely down the center of the track, Need You Tonight collared his rivals with ease and took command with absolute authority 250 meters from home, drawing off to score by 2 1/2 lengths over Endor Rye (Endorsement), who ran an excellent race in defeat. Final time was a solid 2:01.30 over a well-maintained surface.
This victory was more than a mere confirmation of the Stud-Haras El Wing runner’s talent. It carried special significance given the risk his owners took in paying a hefty ARS 15,000,000 supplemental fee to enter, as he was not originally nominated to the Estrellas series. A strong bet, certainly, but one entirely justified by his performance on the track.
Trained by Roberto A. Pellegatta, Need You Tonight is at the peak of his powers. Each of his appearances has become a masterclass in professionalism, strength, and maturity. His 2025 campaign has been flawless, and while his race schedule has been selective, every start has been a top-level spectacle.
Plans for the dark bay’s immediate future remain undecided, but signs point towards a potential move to the United States to continue his career there. With no major dirt races at 2000 meters on the Argentine calendar in the near term, that decision may be finalized in the coming weeks.
The Estrellas Classic marked his fifth win from just eight starts, with two G1 victories and a G2 Clásico Otoño, all at Palermo, where he is trained. Remarkably, he only debuted late last August.
Need You Tonight earned all the plaudits on a high-class racing day at Palermo, reaffirming his crown as the country’s best older dirt horse and living up to the promise he had been showing in morning works.
His victory capped a fantastic afternoon for El Wing and for the Estrellas festival itself, which drew an encouraging crowd—something the event had been lacking in recent years. There is hope that even better days lie ahead, securing its place as an unmissable highlight on Argentina’s racing calendar.