[3][4][5] Il Mercato debuted in the Clásico José B. Zubiaurre at the Hipódromo de San Isidro as the strong favorite.
Following the victory, Il Mercato was pointed towards the Group 1 Gran Premio Nacional (Argentine Derby), the final race of the Argentinian Triple Crown.
[16] After his win, the main target for the coming year was the Breeders' Cup Turf, with the Group 1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano also mentioned as a possibility.
[17] After winning the Carlos Pellegrini, a half share in Il Mercato was sold to Robert LaPenta and Sol Kumin (owner of Madaket Stable).
In January 2019, he was exported to the United States for the Breeders' Cup and joined the barn of Chad Brown at Palm Meadows.
[21] Il Mercato was named the 2018 Argentine Horse of the Year, as well as Champion Three-Year-Old Male and Champion Stayer, in the annual Distinciones Pellegrini, awards which some thought were undeserved due to Il Mercato's relatively short time racing in the upper levels of the sport and singular Group 1 win.