Vacación aims for another shining Saturday, a stable tradition…

Pablo Zavaleta spoke with Turf Diario and highlighted his farm’s commitment to striving for excellence

Pablo Zavaleta (left), celebrating a classic victory for Vacación / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

For Haras Vacación and its team, Saturdays have always been a day of celebration—unforgettable moments captured in photos that now adorn the walls of the farm. Perhaps that's why Pablo Zavaleta and Damasia Lottero have chosen that day—this coming Saturday, starting at 3:00 PM at the Tattersall of San Isidro—to kick off their 2025 sales season, showcasing a group of yearlings that Zavaleta confidently describes as “the most even batch we’ve ever bred.”

From the same land where Fortify (Distorted Humor), Hi Happy (Pure Prize), Satono Flag (Deep Impact), and Cityscape (Selkirk) currently stand at stud, some of Argentina’s greatest champions have emerged. If one example is enough, names like Paseana (Ahmad), Balada Sale (Not for Sale), Ráfaga (Pepenador), Rosadora (Pepenador), Wooden Girl (Mariache), La Maltrecha (Mariache), Lenovo (Roman Ruler), and Cheyenne (Pepenador) speak for themselves.

However, in this beautiful sport, one cannot live on memories alone. Staying at the top, constantly evolving, and focusing on the future is a non-negotiable principle for those who want to remain successful.

“Haras Vacación is at a stage of great maturity. Like fine wine, this takes time. Let’s not forget this is a second foundation, following a difficult division of the original farm. We look ahead with optimism, always making adjustments to adapt to reality,” Zavaleta explains while gently stroking one of the fillies in the barn—a major hope for the upcoming season.

His words are backed by actions. Despite boasting an already successful stallion roster, Vacación recently welcomed Satono Flag, the first son of Deep Impact to stand in Argentina, whose first foals were born just a few months ago.

A breeding operation relies on two key pillars: retaining top-class fillies to secure the future and establishing the perfect blend between what is kept and what is sold to offer clients premium bloodstock. How does Vacación approach this? Zavaleta elaborates:

“We have long prioritized commercial breeding. This is a constant renewal process that begins with stallion selection, continues with the acquisition of new broodmares, and solidifies our traditional families through what we choose to retain each year.”

The 2025 Gran Venta Selecta catalog is a testament to this philosophy, featuring Vacación’s most established maternal lines, alongside pedigrees carefully incorporated over the years, both domestically and internationally.

Zavaleta is particularly proud of the crop heading to the auction ring this Saturday, which includes the first yearlings by Uncle Chuck, the late son of Uncle Mo who left only two crops before his untimely passing. His emotions are mixed:

“It’s a bittersweet feeling for us. On one hand, there’s the joy of seeing his foals, who are physically outstanding—I'm not exaggerating. On the other, the sadness of losing such a special horse so soon.”

As the conversation winds down, Zavaleta is asked to highlight a standout yearling from the sale. With class, he dodges the question:

“With all humility, it’s hard to pick just one. I hope people can come see them in person. This sale represents a tremendous effort on our part, and we look forward to repaying the trust our clients place in us.”

Since the late 1970s, Haras Vacación has been synonymous with quality, top-tier breeding, and great success on the track. Remaining a leader in such a competitive and challenging industry for so many years is no small feat. Luck always plays a role, but ultimately, it is skill and expertise that turn promising young horses into champions.