Lobo heading back to Brazil

Paulo Lobo, who trained the champion 3-year-old filly of 2002, Farda Amiga, is planning a return this fall to his native Brazil, where he will direct a 40-horse stable for Old Friends, Inc., Lobo said on Wednesday.

Lobo, 41, moved from Brazil to California in 2001 and was based there until early 2009, when he moved his stable to Belmont Park. The move back to Brazil comes at a time when Lobo’s stable has struggled, with only two wins this year.

“I’ve had a good offer from Old Friends,” Lobo said. “They have a huge stable in Sao Paulo, and I agreed. I’ve been a long time away from home, and I’m kind of homesick.”

A third-generation trainer, Lobo plans to be back in Brazil by Nov. 1, he said.

A native of Sao Paulo, Lobo won his first stakes in the United States when Farda Amiga won the Kentucky Oaks in 2002. She also won the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes and ran second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff on her way to the Eclipse Award as top 3-year-old filly.

Lobo also trained Pico Central to wins in three Grade 1 races in 2004 – the Carter and Metropolitan handicaps and Vosburgh Stakes. In 2008, Lobo won the Arkansas Derby with Gayego, and last year won the Oaklawn Handicap with Runforthedoe.

“I had a champion and I won big races,” he said. “It was a huge experience in my life. I met so many good friends. I will never forget it.”