Agustín Villamil Continues the Family Tradition with Haras Rodeo Chico

A branch of La Irenita, Haras Rodeo Chico is one of the fresh faces in Argentina’s breeding industry and will hold another sale of its entire crop this Monday

Agustín Villamil continues the family legacy of Rodeo Chico / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Thoroughbred racing is built on a passion passed down through generations—though, of course, there are always exceptions. But that’s not the case for Agustín Villamil, one of the youngest faces in Argentina’s breeding industry, who is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Luis Villamil and his father Luis Villamil Jr.

With roots in La Irenita and later transitioning to the Rodeo Chico banner, the farm has produced outstanding runners in recent years, including top-level winners such as Toda Una Dama (Cipayo), Cafetín (Slew Gin Fizz), Guarachero(Slew Gin Fizz), Reina Victoriosa (Intérprete), Don’t Worry (Sultry Song), Rupit (Lucky Roberto), Peluca Fizz(Slew Gin Fizz), and many others.

“Rodeo Chico is a wonderful operation that I now lead alongside my sister Lucía, and we are very proud to carry on our family’s legacy. Our great-grandfather Edmundo Perkins founded La Irenita more than 60 years ago, and after several generations, it is an honor to continue with the same passion for breeding. We enjoy every day, every new birth, and every gathering at Rodeo Chico. Over the last 20 days, we’ve welcomed many visitors, and each moment has been a pleasure. We love sharing what we are passionate about,” says Agustín, the public face of the farm, who has revitalized the breeding operation with strong investments in genetics.

“This year, for example, we are offering a filly by Constitution, one of the top sires in the U.S., out of a Candy Ridemare—a truly outstanding prospect and a luxury for Argentine racing,” he adds.

“We breed few, win a lot, and sell everything. That’s the philosophy we take to the track every day and the message behind our sale,” Agustín explains about the upcoming auction, set for Monday at 7 PM, organized by Monasterio Tattersall in an entirely online format.

Villamil also emphasizes their approach to breeding: “We are very selective, focusing on producing a small number of foals but with the highest possible quality. From choosing the right stallion for each mare to raising the foals and preparing them for training, every step is carefully managed. Rodeo Chico is in a great moment, and the results speak for themselves. With just 20 to 25 foals born each year, we consistently compete in top races and currently lead the breeders' standings in efficiency.”

Just this past Sunday, Shanidar (Gouverneur Morris—Miss Planet, by Silver Planet), a Rodeo Chico homebred, won impressively on debut, further confirming the farm’s strong current form.

Looking ahead to the upcoming sale, Agustín is confident: “We are offering our entire crop, and it’s a spectacular group—very even, with a variety of stallion options. The 20 yearlings in the catalog are by nine different sires, which always makes for an exciting offering.”

Asked for his personal recommendations, Agustín doesn’t hesitate: “The Constitution filly, named Nishikawa, is exceptional. But there’s also The Scent (Il Campione—Black Orchid, by Intérprete), a daughter of Argentina’s top sire with four stakes-winning siblings. And rounding out my personal trifecta is Ethiopia (Treasure Beach—Ever Linda, by Lucky Roberto), a half-sister to Escabiar (Portal del Alto).”

The catalog also features offspring out of high-class mares such as Moana Aymar (Equal Stripes), Miss Planet, Seattle Bam (Seattle Fitz), and Lindaflor La Violeta (Most Improved), among others. The sires represented include promising names like Gouverneur Morris (Constitution), Treasure Beach (Galileo), Señor Candy (Candy Ride), Lucullan (Hard Spun), Il Campione (Scat Daddy), Seahenge (Scat Daddy), Imperador (Treasure Beach), and Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo).