Swedish-born, Brazilian-based owner Stefan Friborg, whose horses raced under the Estrela Energia Stables banner, has died. The oil professional was a fond horseman since his days in the Swedish cavalry during national service yet it was his wife Dalva who introduced him to racing and bought the couple's first four racehorses at auction in Rio de Janeiro in the early 2000s. The string at their private Brazilian facility, Stud Estrela, quickly expanded to around 80 horses but the operation's aim was always to compete internationally. Within only a few years, Stefan Friborg had horses racing in Dubai, France and Great Britain. Some were Brazilian exports, with a growing number of homebreds, some were bought locally.
The latter category included Natagora (Fr) (Divine Light {Jpn}), a €30,000 yearling purchase by Patrick Barbe at Arqana's October Yearling Sale who went on to win the 2007 G1 Cheveley Park S. and 2008 G1 1000 Guineas in the care of Pascal Bary, while top of the former was Gloria de Campeao (Brz) (Impression {Arg}). The strapping bay started his career in his native country before making the move to Bary's yard in Chantilly aged 4, and competed in three renewals of the G1 Dubai World Cup. He was eighth behind Curlin in 2008, second to Well Armed the following year, and finally got his nose in front in the first running of the world's richest race at Meydan.
In recent years, Friborg had tightened his connection with Dubai, establishing his own stable with Brazilian trainer Eduardo Martins at the helm for a couple of years and also sponsoring races at the Carnival. Last Thursday, he was still represented by Energia Fribby (Brz) and Energia Fox (Brz), from Marco Botti's yard, in the G2 Balanchine S.
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