El Tartanero Jess Moves To Zerlotti Genetics Ltd. For 2027 Breeding Season

Multiple stakes-winning son of leading sire Apollitical Jess, El Tartanero Jess SI 99, will stand the 2027 breeding season at Zerlotti Genetics Ltd. in Pleasanton, Texas.

Owned by Eleazar Martinez, the 2018 sorrel stallion will stand for a fee of $2,500, with an early-booking special of $2,000 available through December 31. Shipped semen will be available. El Tartanero Jess is accredited Texas-bred and eligible for the Speedhorse, OQHRA, Bitterroot and MQHRA programs.

El Tartanero Jess is by Apollitical Jess and out of Darling Corona SI 95, by Corona Cartel. The stakes-winning stallion earned $121,768 during his racing career, winning six of 13 starts with two seconds. He was named the 2022 Texas Hi-Point Aged Stallion and won the Sam Houston 250 Stakes [R].

His move to Zerlotti Genetics comes as El Tartanero Jess begins to make an impression with his first crop on the racetrack. Through September 1, his two starters have earned $46,486, averaging $23,243 per starter, while compiling a 2.44 Average Earnings Index.
Those numbers have placed El Tartanero Jess ninth on the 2026 Leading First-Year Sires by Money Earned list through September 1.

Leading his first crop is First Tartanero Jess SI 92, a gelding out of Jetsie Cartel, by The Louisiana Cartel. First Tartanero Jess has won two of three starts and earned $45,190, finishing fourth in the restricted Grade 1 TQHA Sale Futurity in his last start.

El Tartanero Jess brings one of the Quarter Horse industry's most influential paternal lines to Zerlotti Genetics. His sire, Apollitical Jess SI 107, was a World Champion and earned $1,399,831. Through 13 crops of racing age, Apollitical Jess has sired 173 stakes winners, 14 champions, and the earners of more than $87.6 million. His leading runners include two-time champion KJ Desparado SI 118, World Champion Empressum SI 111, three-time champion Apocalyptical Jess SI 103, and champion Apollitical Blood SI 99.

On the bottom side, El Tartanero Jess is out of Darling Corona SI 95, a winning daughter of Corona Cartel who has produced three winners from three starters. In addition to El Tartanero Jess, she produced stakes-placed Darling Secret SI 102, an earner of $64,266, and winner La Tartanera Jess SI 93.

El Tartanero Jess also descends from an accomplished female family. His second dam, The Creole Queen, is a half-sister to Dashin Is Easy SI 103, an AQHA Racing Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and AQHA Racing Champion Aged Stallion who earned $775,123, was an AQHA Supreme Race Horse, and won the Heritage Place Futurity (G1). The Creole Queen is also a half-sister to stakes winner Dashin Prince Henry SI 102, stakes-placed Dash N Run SI 106, and Streakin Is Easy SI 93.

The family has continued to produce high-class runners in subsequent generations, including Electrifying Cowboy SI 104, winner of the Southwest Juvenile Invitational Stakes (G2) and La Fiesta Futurity (G3) with earnings of $419,203, as well as stakes winner Famous Carmilita SI 88.

El Tartanero Jess will stand at Zerlotti Genetics Ltd., 743 Witten Road, Pleasanton, Texas 78064. Breeders may contact the farm at (830) 569-8913 or office@zerlottigenetics.com for additional information.

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