By @Turfeeunapolis

SOROCABA, BRAZIL–JANUARY 20, 2026–At the Jockey Club de Sorocaba, widely recognized as the largest Quarter Horse racetrack in South America, the 2025 season showcased remarkable growth in both prize money and genetic quality. Stories were built and permanently recorded in the statistics.

Anjo Dourado HFSJ was the highest money-earning horse of the year, with R$ 1,123,100 (US$ 210,000). He won the two biggest competitions in the country, the Brazilian Futurity and the Megarace, two of the three million-dollar stakes Group 1 events at the Sorocaba Racecourse. In the third R$ 1,000,000 race (equivalent to US$187,000), the ABQM Potro do Futuro Grand Prix, he qualified for the final and finished in fourth place.

The success of Anjo Dourado HFSJ pushed his connections and pedigree to the top of the statistical standings, reflecting the strength of the entire operation. During that stretch, official records list assistant trainers R. D. Rosa (Brazilian Futurity) and V. Begnini (Megarace) as the trainers of record while Rivail Rosa served a suspension.

Miss Apollitical Jess, a daughter of Apollitical Jess and Paint Your Lips (by Corona Cartel), recorded the most victories of the season, with a total of six wins. She was champion of the Super Speed, ABQM Potro do Futuro, and also the GP Consagração – the third leg of the Brazilian Triple Crown, earning R$ 510,500 in prize money (equivalent to US$ 95,000).

Haras Picapau Azul, representing the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, was the leading owner in earnings statistics, with R$ 1,123,100 (US$ 210,000), driven by their colt Anjo Dourado HFSJ. In the wins category, Stud Imortais recorded 15 victories and finished first in the rankings, tied with Champion of Champions winner Roberto Sylvio Abdalla, holding the advantage in placings and total earnings.

The American stallion Gold Medal Jess (by Mr Jess Perry), sire of Anjo Dourado HFSJ, was the leading sire at Sorocaba. He earned R$ 1,347,175 (US$ 252,000) in prize money and also sired other classic winners, such as the mare Tereza Gold HWS (winner of the GP Torneio Início) and Lendário Gold HBR (winner of the Bronze Cup).

In total wins, Granite Lake (by First Down Dash) led all stallions with 34 victories, accumulating R$ 1,032,550 in earnings (equivalent to US$ 193,000).

Among broodmares, My Angel Reason SA (by Good Reason SA), dam of Anjo Dourado HFSJ, finished the season as the highest-earning producer, with R$ 1,131,850 (equivalent to US$ 211,600). In previous seasons, she also produced the undefeated My Jess For Me, a multiple stakes winning mare.

In terms of wins, no broodmare surpassed Paint Your Lips (by Corona Cartel). She totaled 11 victories through three different offspring: Apollitical Jr. (3), Apolitical Lips (2), and Miss Apollitical Jess (6). These figures account only for Sorocaba, as she also had offspring winning in other regions and neighboring countries during the season.

The 2025 season was outstanding for Alan Mendes, the leading trainer in earnings statistics with R$ 1,253,375 (US$ 234,000), and also the leader in total wins, with 21 victories overall. The northeastern professional lifted eight trophies during the season, reaching the finals of most competitions he contested, while overseeing the stable operations for owner Stud Imortais.

Among jockeys, Luan Pereira stood out aboard Anjo Dourado HFSJ and several other runners, totaling R$ 1,208,000 in earnings (equivalent to US$ 225,000), making him the season’s top-earning rider. In addition, he captured significant prizes at other racetracks.

However, a serious accident in Paraguay interrupted his strong momentum. The jockey has recently recovered and returned to riding. In total wins, Sorocaba’s leading jockey was Vicente Barros, with 18 victories.

As a breeder, Haras Fazenda São José earned the championship title with R$ 1,224,850 (equivalent to US$ 229,000). They were responsible for breeding Anjo Dourado, carrying the HFSJ brand in his name, as well as, among others, the veteran Fantastic Fly Apollo, who retired from racing to enter stud, one of the most emblematic Quarter Horses in Brazil in recent years.

The most winning breeder of 2025 was Érico Braga, of Haras Prata, with 26 victories and total earnings of R$ 1,126,300 (US$ 210,600).

Good Reason SA, with R$ 1,198,925 (US$ 224,200), and Corona Cartel, winner of 18 races, were the leading broodmare sires in earnings and wins, respectively.

JONATHAN WEISHEIMER – NEW PRESIDENT OF THE JOCKEY CLUB DE SOROCABA
President Jonatas Dantas concluded his term at the head of the Jockey Club de Sorocaba. He was responsible for major improvements in the racetrack’s infrastructure, highlighted by the complete renovation of the racing surface, prioritizing maximum animal welfare and ensuring all prize payments were kept current. The new president is Mr. Jonathan Weisheimer, who expressed his satisfaction with the new responsibility:

“I am deeply honored by the responsibility of working for another two years for the Jockey Club de Sorocaba. When I arrived here in 2017, my lifelong dream was to see this track as it is today. God places us in situations when we least expect it, and today the racetrack is ready—it is exactly what I always envisioned for this place,” said Jonathan.

BEYOND SOROCABA
Beyond the Sorocaba Racecourse statistics, competitions in Northeast Brazil also had their data officially recorded in races administered by Capistrano QMC, the region’s principal organizing authority. The 2025 northeastern season produced the following highlights:

The leading sire was the Brazilian-bred Must Go Reason SA (Good Reason SA – Atacama Bryan SA, by Blazen Bryan), owned by Haras Iguatu. He was crowned champion by earnings, totaling R$ 363,800 (US$ 68,000), and also led the wins category with 16 victories through his offspring.

Eva Tist HRZ (Separatist x Oh Whatta Knockout, by Holland Ease) was the highest-earning broodmare, with R$ 200,000 (US$ 37,400). She is the dam of Luana 36 HRZ, who topped the season’s earnings rankings among horses in the Northeast, reaching the same amount. Both were bred by Rancho Horizonte, owned by Guy Peixoto, proprietor of renowned North American stallions such as Tres Seis and Separatist, among others.

Rancho Horizonte also led the breeder statistics in Northeast Brazil in both categories: wins, with a total of 13, and earnings, totaling R$ 372,300 (US$ 69,600).

Haras ZM was the champion owner, equally dominant with 12 victories and total earnings of R$ 650,000 (US$ 121,500).

Bahia-born trainer Minho enjoyed a brilliant 2025 season. He recorded 13 victories, earning R$ 690,000 (US$ 129,000), and captured both championship rankings.

Among jockeys, two stood out. Emerson Abade ranked first in earnings, with R$ 360,000 (US$ 67,300). The young rider Fabinho, regarded as one of the most promising talents in Brazilian racing, led the wins category with eight victories.

The most accomplished stallion of all time in Brazil, Granite Lake stood out as the leading broodmare sire in the Northeast during the 2025 season, with 11 victories and earnings of R$ 321,900 (US$ 60,200).

Beyond the statistics, two horses made history and were recognized by public opinion as among the best Quarter Horses in Brazil in 2025.

Fantastic Feature became a two-time winner of the GP Rei da Velocidade and concluded his brilliant racing career to enter stud. With an SI-107, bred by Érico Braga, the phenomenon holds the Sorocaba Racecourse records for 365 meters (400 yards) in 19.171 seconds and for 301 meters (330 yards) in 16.046 seconds.

Foaled in August 2020, by Fantastic Corona Jr out of Featuringmissjess (by Mr Jess Perry), Fantastic Feature recorded 17 victories, including two wins (2023 and 2024) in Brazil’s Champion of Champions. His career earnings totaled R$ 974,212 (US$ 182,200), with high expectations for continued success in his breeding career, firmly established as one of the greatest of all time in Brazil.

Another major highlight of the past season was Luiz Straw HRZ, considered by many to be the best colt ever bred in Northeast Brazil. Foaled in July 2022, by the late Desirio out of Three Time The Toll (by Tres Seis), he won the GP Haras Primavera, the most traditional race in northeastern racing, where he demonstrated exceptional quality.

However, following a positive test, he was disqualified, causing a significant setback. His team remained resilient, and upon his return, in the GP Haras Germano, another major event, he delivered authoritative victories in both the trial and final, confirming his championship and dispelling any doubts about his high potential.

Subsequently, Luiz Straw HRZ competed in Northern Brazil and returned with an easy victory in the GP São Félix do Xingu, in Pará. These results, however, were not included in the statistics, which covered only the Northeast region.

Nevertheless, the colt, bred by Rancho Horizonte and owned by Stud HMX, trained by Berg, became a unanimous standout, impressing by the manner of his victories and leaving fans eager for his next goals, which indications suggest will also include a future as a stallion.

For 2026, Capistrano QMC announced that its official statistics will also encompass competitions held in Northern Brazil, combining them with those of the Northeast for official ranking purposes across its various categories.

The 2026 season at the Jockey Club de Sorocaba will kick off on March 7, featuring the trials for the GP Torneio Início and the I Derby.

This season will also mark the opening of the main annual auctions, led by the prestigious Haras Vista Verde, owned by the legendary Mauro Zaborowsky. On March 6, Zaborowsky will offer foals from the 2024 crop for sale.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW LEADING SIRES - NORTHEAST BRAZIL
CLICK HERE TO VIEW LEADING SIRES - JOCKEY CLUB DE SOROCABA

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