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AQHA Names Jeff Hill General Counsel
AMARILLO, TX — October 19, 2026

The American Quarter Horse Association has hired Jeffrey A. “Jeff” Hill as its new general counsel. Hill brings extensive legal experience and firsthand knowledge of AQHA competition through his years of service as an AQHA judge.

In his new role, Hill will oversee the Association’s legal affairs and provide legal guidance to support AQHA’s operations and mission.

“Jeff brings a valuable combination of legal experience and a deep understanding of AQHA and the members we serve,” said AQHA Chief Executive Officer Dave Dellin. “His background as an attorney and an AQHA judge gives him a perspective that will benefit our leadership team and the Association as we work to strengthen our programs and services.”

Based in Amarillo, Texas, Hill has practiced through The Law Office of Jeffrey A. Hill since 2014. He previously served as an assistant district attorney in the 47th District Attorney’s Office in Amarillo from 2011 to 2014 and as a deputy county attorney in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, from 2003 to 2008. His legal background includes criminal law, litigation and courtroom experience.

Hill became an AQHA all-around judge in 1995 and earned his Versatility Ranch Horse judge certification in 2011. His judging assignments included the 2004 AQHYA World Championship Show and the 2015 AQHA Select World Championship Show. He served as an AQHA judge through 2020. Hill also served on the AQHA International Committee for several years in the early 2000s.

“AQHA has been an important part of my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the Association in this new capacity,” Hill said. “My years as a judge gave me an appreciation for the dedication of our members and the integrity of our competition programs. I look forward to bringing that experience and my legal background to a role that supports the American Quarter Horse and the people who make this community so special.”

Hill earned his juris doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law and a bachelor of business administration in banking and finance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

AQHA news and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more information, visit www.aqha.com/news.

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CLAREMORE, OK — October 19, 2026

Fastest qualifier Ruse Ticle Knockout delivered a commanding performance Monday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs, capturing the inaugural $166,100 Will Rogers Oaks and securing her place in the history books as the first winner of the newly established stakes event.

Ridden by Edwin Escobedo, the three-year-old filly broke sharply from the inside post and immediately challenged second-fastest qualifier Emerald Bay for the lead. The two fillies dueled through the early stages before Ruse Ticle Knockout began to pull away in mid-stretch, shaking free late to score a decisive 1 1/4-length victory.

The overwhelming 2-5 favorite completed the 440-yard contest in :21.598 over a fast track, earning a 97 speed index while racing in an eight-mph crosswind. She returned $2.80 to win.

Owned by Mi Serenity and trained by Marc Jungers, Ruse Ticle Knockout was bred in Texas by Five Puig Racing LLC. The $210,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate is a daughter of world champion Apollitical Jess and the stakes-winning Tres Seis mare Adolph Tres Knockout ($136,184), winner of the Oklahoma Futurity (G3).

Ruse Ticle Knockout is a full sister to champion As And Js ($531,134), winner of the Junos Request Stakes (G2).

Monday's victory marked her eighth career win, improving her record to 16-8-2-4. The $66,440 winner's share boosted her lifetime earnings to $291,290. Earlier this season, she finished third in the Los Alamitos Oaks (G1).

Second-fastest qualifier Emerald Bay turned in a determined runner-up effort under Roman Cruz. Breaking sharply from post five, the filly matched strides with Ruse Ticle Knockout through the early stages and continued to challenge into mid-stretch before being turned away late. She held second by three-quarters of a length, stopping the clock in :21.777 and earning a 93 speed index.

Owned by Wishbone Partnership and trained by Michael Moss, Emerald Bay was bred in Oklahoma by Mike Vaughan and was a $60,000 repurchase at the Heritage Place Yearling Sale. She is sired by champion Flying Cowboy 123 and is out of the stakes-placed Corona Cartel mare Aqua Girl.

Her distinguished female family includes world champion Wave Carver ($1,005,946) and AQHA Dam of Distinction and Broodmare of the Year Runaway Wave.

Emerald Bay now owns a career record of 17-6-5-4 with $226,417 in earnings. Earlier this season, she finished second in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Oaks (G3) and third in the Oklahoma Derby (G2).

Amarillis rallied from off the pace to secure third under jockey Cody Smith. Breaking sixth from post nine, the filly steadily advanced through the field, moving into fourth by mid-stretch before closing strongly over the final 110 yards to claim the show position by half a length. She completed the distance in :21.899, earning a 90 speed index.

Owned by Dusty Rose Ranch LLC and trained by Stacey Capps, Amarillis was bred by M C Stucks. The $30,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale repurchase is a daughter of champion sire Favorite Cartel and the stakes-winning Dominyun mare Astranomical.

Amarillis now has a career record of 13-5-1-4 with $329,868 in earnings. The accomplished filly captured the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Oaks (G3) in April and won the Black Gold Fillies Futurity (G3) last season.

Audreys Lil Cowgirl finished fourth after racing close to the early leaders before losing third in the final strides. Flying Policy 123, Exxquisite, Awd Shez My Hero, Rowdi, Personaliti, and Illegal Cowgirl 123 completed the order of finish.

The inaugural Will Rogers Oaks was contested as the seventh race on Monday's eight-race program, bringing together ten talented three-year-old fillies competing over 440 yards for the $166,100 purse.

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MENIFEE, CA — October 19, 2026

Two-time AQHA Racing Champion Golden Boi continued his remarkable freshman sire season Sunday when My Golden Boy captured the $495,569 La Fiesta Futurity (G3) at The Downs at Albuquerque, becoming his sire's second major graded stakes winner of 2026.

The victory added $247,784 to My Golden Boy's earnings and further solidified Golden Boi's position as the nation's leading first-crop Quarter Horse sire, with progeny earnings exceeding $1.65 million through October 19.

Ridden by Jacob Enriquez for trainer Renee K. Wilson, My Golden Boy covered the 400 yards in 19.409 seconds over a fast racing surface, prevailing by a neck in the Grade 3 final.

Owned by Christopher J. and Melody Lykins, the 2-year-old gelding was bred by Valeriano Racing LLC and R. Medrano. He is out of the Apollitical Jess mare My Mystery Lover and was a $45,000 purchase at the 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

The La Fiesta Futurity victory was My Golden Boy's third career win and increased his earnings to $304,870. Earlier this season, he qualified for the Grade 1 Ruidoso Futurity and was a finalist in the All American Juvenile.

My Golden Boy joins El Huracano V, winner of the $1 million Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, as Golden Boi's second graded stakes winner from his initial crop of runners.

El Huracano V, a gelding out of Bellissima Chocolata by Valiant Hero, has earned $632,670 with three victories. In addition to his Rainbow Futurity triumph, he finished second in the Heritage Place Futurity (G1) at Remington Park.

Golden Boi Leads National Freshman Sire Standings

According to the October 19 AQHA leading first-year sire standings, Golden Boi remains the nation's leading freshman sire by money earned.

The son of leading sire Favorite Cartel has sired 33 winners from 72 starters, including two graded stakes winners, with reported progeny earnings of $1,662,926.

His first crop consists of 91 foals of racing age, giving him a starter percentage of 79 percent. His winners represent approximately 46 percent of his starters.

In addition to his two major stakes winners, Golden Boi is represented by Grade 1 stakes-placed Faultless SI 94, a colt out of Without Fault by TR Dasher. Faultless has earned $165,550, including a runner-up finish in the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1).

Other leading performers include Limites Sin B SI 96, a two-time winner with earnings of $54,851, who placed fifth in the Sam Houston Futurity (G2), and Promising SI 97, a three-time winner with earnings of $39,620, who finished third in both the West Texas Juvenile Stakes and Ruidoso Juvenile Stakes.

Two-Time AQHA Racing Champion

A two-time AQHA Racing Champion Colt, Golden Boi earned $721,647 while winning eight of 12 career starts, including three stakes victories. Named AQHA Racing Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and Champion Three-Year-Old Colt, he captured the Ed Burke Million Futurity (G1), El Primero Del Ano Derby (G2), and Sgt Pepper Feature Handicap. He also finished third in the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1) and California Breeders Freshman Stakes and was a finalist in the Golden State Million Futurity (G1).

Golden Boi Joins Fuego Stallion Incentive Program

Golden Boi has also been enrolled as a Fuego Stallion, making his eligible offspring participants in the program's Caliente Flight.

The addition provides breeders with another incentive when considering the champion stallion for the upcoming breeding season.

Golden Boi, a two-time AQHA Racing Champion Colt, stands at Burns Ranch in Menifee, California, as the property of M&G Farms Inc.

His advertised fee for the 2027 breeding season is $10,000, with considerations. In addition to his Fuego Stallion Incentive enrollment, he participates in the California-bred program.

For breeding information or contracts, contact Burns Ranch at (951) 301-0201, email info.burnsranch@gmail.com, or visit www.theburnsranch.com.

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Hoosier Racing Community Invites Fans to 2026 ITOBA & QHRAI Sale Preview

Potential owners, breeders, and fans of horse racing are invited to gather at the Hoosier Horse Park in Edinburgh on Friday, October 16, for the 2026 ITOBA & QHRAI Yearling & Mixed Sale Preview Night.

From 5 to 8 pm EDT, guests can enjoy complimentary food provided by Latitude 39, meet members of Indiana's racing community, network with owners and breeders, and get an up-close look at horses being offered in the sale ahead of Saturday's auction. The auction will go live on Saturday, October 17, at 1 pm EDT in Dunn Arena at the Hoosier Horse Park (7105 South Kern Street, Edinburgh, Indiana).

For a sport with such a storied history, horse racing is built on the people—owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, fans and newcomers who share a passion for the horse. And Hoosiers know a thing or two about hard work, horsepower and speed. Preview Night offers an opportunity to bring that spirit together while introducing attendees to the people and horses that make Indiana's racing industry special.

The Preview Night is sponsored by the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance, Breakway Farm, Burger Racing Stables, LLC, Ledgerwood Farm, Wolfe Veterinary Services and Springcliff Farm. The Friday evening event is designed to welcome everyone, whether you're considering becoming a racehorse owner, looking to learn more about breeding and the sale process, a longtime racing fan or simply someone who loves horses and wants to experience the sport from a different perspective.

You don't have to be a current horse owner—or an expert in racing—to attend. Preview Night is open to anyone interested in learning more about Indiana horse racing, meeting the people behind the industry and getting a closer look at the horses that could soon be competing on the track.

For inquiries about the 2026 ITOBA/QHRAI Yearling & Mixed Sale, contact Nicks Auction Service, LLC (502-648-0538). Online bidding is available for the sale. Register online: https://bid.horseauctionsusa.com/ui/auctions/170639.

To review the 2026 ITOBA/QHRAI Yearling & Mixed Sale Catalog, you can view it online: https://www.itoba.com/yearling-sale.

Looking for a place to stay after the Preview Night? Hotels local to the Hoosier Horse Park include the Hampton Inn and Comfort Inn. Group rates are available at both hotels.

To learn more about the Indiana Horse Racing industry, visit the Indiana Horse Racing Commission: http://hrc.in.gov.

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Sales Highlights


FASTRACK OCTOBER MIXED SALE

DateOctober 25, 2026CodeFTOMSLocation
Gainesville, TXCatalog

HERITAGE PLACE FALL MIXED

DateNovember 5–7, 2026CodeHPFMLocation
Oklahoma City, OKCatalog

HERITAGE PLACE CHAMPIONS OF THE FUTURE ONLINE SALE

DateDecember 8–10, 2026CodeHPFIULocation
Oklahoma City, OK

FASTRACK DECEMBER MIXED SALE

DateDecember 13, 2026CodeFTDMSLocation
Gainesville, TX

FASTRACK NEW YEARS FOAL-IN-UTERO AND FROZEN EMBRYO SALE

DateDecember 31, 2026CodeFTFIUFESLocation
Gainesville, TX

HERITAGE PLACE WINTER MIXED SALE

DateJanuary 14–16, 2027CodeHPWMLocation
HPWM

HERITAGE PLACE SUMMER MIXED ONLINE SALE

DateJune 1–3, 2027CodeHPSMLocation
Oklahoma City, OK

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM — October 17, 2026

All-time leading money-earning Quarter Horse Kj Desparado added another Grade 1 victory to his remarkable career Saturday night, holding off a determined Stetsonn by a neck in the $290,375 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.

The 7-year-old gelding, sent off as the 6-5 favorite, completed the 440 yards in 21.063 seconds, earning a 98 speed index over a fast racing surface while facing a 4-mph headwind.

Ridden by Noe Garcia Jr. for trainer Wesley T. Giles, Kj Desparado broke sharply from post six, established an early advantage, and maintained a narrow lead through the stretch. Under a strong drive, the veteran champion turned back Stetsonn's challenge to secure the $133,573 winner's share.

The victory increased Kj Desparado's career earnings to $3,617,850, further extending his position as the richest racing American Quarter Horse in history.

Owned by John Lee, Kathy Lee, and Ruben Mares, Kj Desparado is a 7-year-old brown gelding by leading sire Apollitical Jess out of Tres Veses, by Tres Seis. He was bred in Arizona by L&L Land & Cattle.

Saturday's victory improved his career record to 19 wins, 11 seconds, and one third from 38 starts.

Kj Desparado's extraordinary racing career includes victories in the All American Futurity (G1), Texas Classic Futurity (G1), Ruidoso Derby (G1), All American Derby (G1), Texas Classic Derby (G1), All American Gold Cup (G1), and two editions of the Refrigerator Championship (G1), among other major stakes.

His latest championship triumph added another prestigious title to a career that has spanned five racing seasons and established him among the sport's all-time greats.

Stetsonn, a 4-year-old gelding by champion Jess Good Candy, turned in a determined runner-up performance, finishing a neck behind the winner and earning $58,075.

Breaking from post seven under champion jockey James A. Flores, Stetsonn raced prominently throughout, dueling with the winner before narrowly missing in the final strides.

Trained by Dean R. Frey for owners G. R. Carter Jr. and Shaena Carter, Stetsonn is a home bred for the Carters. He is out of Stella Lou, by One Famous Eagle.

Stetsonn was an $18,000 RNA at the 2023 Ruidoso Yearling Sale.

The gelding has compiled five wins and one second from 10 career starts, with earnings of $201,029. His accomplishments include a victory in the Remington Park Championship Challenge Stakes (G2), along with finalist appearances in the Ruidoso Derby (G1) and Remington Park Derby (RG1).

Scoops Dynasty completed the trifecta, finishing another half-length behind Stetsonn to earn $29,038 for owner Edward J. McNelis.

The 7-year-old gelding, ridden by Jacob Enriquez for trainer Diego Cervantes, raced in fourth early before advancing into third and holding that position by a neck.

Bred by Edward J. and Von Zae McNelis, Scoops Dynasty is by five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Bye Sweet Girl, by Dashin Bye.

An accomplished Grade 1 winner himself, Scoops Dynasty has earned $844,725 from 36 career starts, recording 11 wins, nine seconds, and four thirds.

His stakes victories include the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), two editions of the Go Man Go Handicap (G1), Los Alamitos Winter Derby (G1), and Golden State Derby (G2).

Hooked N Gone finished fourth, a neck behind Scoops Dynasty, followed by Mysterious Cartel in fifth, Bold N Beautiful in sixth, Eagles Up in seventh, Bee A Freight Train in eighth, Shaundas Eagle in ninth, and Shakers No Secret in tenth.

The championship highlighted Saturday night's AQHA Racing Challenge Championship program at The Downs at Albuquerque, bringing together some of the nation's most accomplished older Quarter Horses.

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AJAX, ONT — October 19, 2026

Ajax Downs' record-breaking 2026 Quarter Horse season comes to a close on Wednesday, October 21, with the final day of the meeting headlined by the $59,805 Alex Picov Memorial Futurity, the top race in the country for 2-year-olds. The nine-race card gets underway at 12:55 p.m.

Fans wagering on Ajax Downs on Wednesday through Horseplayer Interactive (www.HPI.com) will receive 3 percent cash back on all eligible wagering over $40.

Numerous wagering records were set during Ajax Downs' 22-day meeting, including single race handle and single day handle. Heading into the last day, wagering on Quarter Horse racing at the fan-friendly track is up about 59 percent over 2025.

The Picov Futurity at 400 yards has a field of 10 juveniles that competed in Trials on September 30. An intriguing aspect of the Trials is that one of those dashes produced a dead-heat to win between Ontario-bred fillies Impeerial Miracle and Baref Hurricante Rush. Both fillies were winning for the first time in their career.

Imperial Miracle is a homebred for James Bogar of Cameron, ON, currently the leading Quarter Horse breeder at Ajax Downs with 16 wins from 69 starts. Imperial Miracle furnished a strong late run in her Trial under jockey Tony Phillips to land on even terms with speedy rival Baref Hurricane Rush, owned by Earl Foster and ridden by Corry Beland.

The pair of fillies clocked a slightly faster time, 20.633, for their Trial than the undefeated Had To Be Valiant, who won the other Trial. Had to Be Valiant, owned and bred by Carol and Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh, was up to win by a nose in 20.758 with Ismael Mosqueira riding. The talented filly won the Ontario Bred Futurity in July and is three for three in her career.

The Picov Futurity is race eight on the card.


For more information on how you can become a Quarter Horse owner, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario about the First Line Racing Syndicate at (905) 426-7050.

To read the latest news about racing at Ajax Downs, and stay in touch with the exciting events and handicapping contests held in our simulcast room throughout the winter, visit our website at www.ajaxdowns.com or follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, @Ajaxdowns

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Type
Name
Starts
1st
2nd
3rd
Earnings
Cowboys Flying
6
6
0
0
$2,062,793
Gf Shes Sinful
7
4
2
1
$708,275
Big Ted
8
6
1
1
$665,792
El Huracano V
5
3
1
1
$632,670
Ask Her To Fly
8
3
2
1
$610,175
By North American Race LeadersView Top 50 HORSES