Azteca Aiming to Rule Derby for Lopez and Scandinavia

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. 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 G2 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.”