April 30, 2026
In the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. scored an upset victory with Mage. Now the Venezuelan-born horseman, nicknamed “The Puma,” returns to Churchill Downs with his namesake colt, who has several points in common with Mage.
Mage raced for a partnership of several entities, including OGMA Investments, operated by Gustavo Jr., and Ramiro Restrepo, who sourced the colt (in the name of his Marquee Bloodstock) for $290,000 as a two-year-old in training.
Restrepo’s Marquee Bloodstock likewise purchased The Puma at a two-year-olds in training sale, in his case OBS April, for $150,000. OGMA Investments spearheads his ownership group that embraces JR Ranch and High Step Racing, whose principals were also involved with Mage in another entity.
Both chestnut colts were from the first crops of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champions who went on to compete in Triple Crown races. While Mage is by Good Magic, runner-up to Triple Crown sweeper Justify in the 2018 Kentucky Derby, The Puma is by Essential Quality, who reigned as a champion at three as well. Promoted to third in the 2021 Derby, Essential Quality later captured the Belmont (G1) and Travers (G1).
The Puma was bred by Hidden Brook Farm and Brian Kahn in the Bluegrass. His mother, Eve of War, was herself born and raised at the same Paris, Kentucky, nursery for her breeder, Jeff Treadway.
Interestingly, Mage’s mother, Broodmare of the Year Puca, also originally hailed from Hidden Brook. Moreover, Puca is by 2008 Derby and Preakness (G1) champion Big Brown, whom Hidden Brook bought as a two-year-old in training, as agent for Paul Pompa Jr.
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