Champion and All American Futurity winner Teller Cartel died of natural causes in Brazil on Sunday.

© Bee Silva

TATUI, SP, BRAZIL–FEBRUARY 17, 2025–AQHA Racing Champion Teller Cartel SI 108 died in Brazil of natural causes on Sunday. He was 22. The all-time leading money-earning son of the #2 leading sire of money-earners, Corona Cartel, was owned by Haras Portofino.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the natural passing of our beloved stallion and All American Futurity Champion Teller Cartel in Brazil," owner Haras Portofino said today. "His life was a beautiful testament to exceptional genetics, brilliance on the racetrack, and excellence in breeding. Forever our Champion! Rest in peace, Teller Cartel."

At 2, Teller Cartel won or placed eight of nine career starts, breaking his maiden in the All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs. He was third in the Golden State Million Futurity and a finalist in the Los Alamitos Million Futurity(G1).

Bred in Oklahoma by C/C Stock Farm, Teller Cartel sold for $87,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale, and he was campaigned by the Teller Cartel Syndicate managed by Butch Wise and conditioned by champion trainer Paul Jones.

Llano Teller winning the Grade 1 All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack & Casino. © Ruidoso Downs

In 16 crops to race, Teller Cartel has sired 346 winners, 62 black type, nearly $12 million earners, and average earnings per starter of $19,600.

His top performers include Llano Teller SI 105 (11 wins to 6, $1,770, All American Derby-G1, 1st-Ruidoso Derby-G1, Remington Park Futurity-G1, etc.), Teller Baja SI 97 (6 wins to 3, $464,317 Remington Park Oklahoma Bred Futurity-G2, etc.), Llano Cartel SI 113 (15 wins to 7, $438,484 Leo S.-G1, Jack Brooks S.-G3, etc.), Cartel Quick SI 94 (2 wins to 2, $317,100 Ruidoso Futurity-G1, etc.), Cruzin Cartel SI 94 (2 wins to 3, $188,820 TQHA Sale Futurity-G2, etc.), Boi George SI 93 (2 wins to 3, $188,261 West Texas Futurity-G2, etc.).

Teller Cartel is the sire of the dams of stakes winners Wrs Valentino SI 109 ($565,207), Teller Ima Eagle SI 102 ($190,438 [G3]), Chainman SI 88 ($188,217 [G2]), Fabulous Rachel SI 103 ($160,480 [G1]), Carlita Jess SI 99 ($106,919 [RG3]), etc.

Teller Cartel is the dam sire of Wrs Valentino, a Grade 1 earner of over $565,000. © Jack Coady Photography

Teller Cartel is also a leading sire in Brazil, where his top performers include Teller Turim MRL, two-time winner of Brazil's most prestigious race, the Campeão dos Campeões, in 2021 and 2022. He is the first horse in South America to ever win the race back-to-back!  He is also the sire of Grade 1 Potro do Futuro Winner Teller Ferrari MRL.

Teller Cartel's dam is the multiple stakes producing East Jet mare Jet Along Jamie SI90, a sister to Golden State Futurity(G1) winner Teller Queen SI 99 (637,918). She is the dam of 12 ROM, three black type, including Grade 1 winner Teller Cartel SI 108 (see above), G2 winner Top Gun B SI 101 ($128,420), and stakes-placed Tell Em Again SI 98 ($45,346).

Jet Along Jamie is also the grand dam of RG1-winner One Sweet Sugar SI 107, 4 wins to 3, 2024 ($590,870), and RG1-placed San Lorenzo Hustle Si 90 ($148,795).

The second dam is AQHA Racing champion filly Jamie Jay SI 102 ($313,171), by Jim J (TB). This is the family of The Informant SI 111 ($359,608), Tell Em Im Gone SI 106 ($353,521), Pyc Jess Bit My Dust Si 103 ($274,662), etc.

Haras Portofino purchased Teller Cartel from the syndicate in September 2016. He was later exported to Brazil, where he lived the remainder of his life.

Teller Cartel frozen semen is available in the US at Royal Vista Southwest in Purcell, Oklahoma. His 2025 fee is $5,000, with consideration. Call (512) 636-3929 for information or booking.
 

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