Champion sire Desirio passed away at age 24.

© Don Shugart

By StallioneSearch

SÁO PAULO, BRAZIL–JANUARY 15, 2026– Rancho Horizonte announced the passing of Champion sire Desirio. The graded stakes winner and international sire died at the age of 24.

Sired by Champion sire Strawfly Special and out of the graded stakes-winning Sixarun mare Lady Tenaya, Desirio was a half-brother to Corona For The Lady, winner of the Hobbs America Derby (G2), and No Ordinary Love, winner of the Animas Stakes. He was also a half-brother to the dam of multi-millionaire stakes-winning sire This Is An Eagle. His second dam was a full sister to three-time Champion, Dam of Distinction, and Broodmare of the Year Florentine.

On the racetrack, Desirio made 12 starts, hitting the board nine times and earning $256,786. His victories included the All American Juvenile Invitational (G3), Zia Park Championship, and James Isaac Hobbs Stakes. He was stakes placed in the Lovington Handicap and a finalist in the Ruidoso Derby (G1).

Foaled in 2002, Desirio was exported to Brazil in 2018, where he stood at stud for the remainder of his life. At the time of his death, he was owned by Guy Peixoto and stood at LUB Breeding in Cesário Lange, São Paulo, Brazil. Following his passing, the breeding operation released a statement describing Desirio as “a stallion who leaves behind a legacy of victories, genetics, and history that will never be forgotten.”

Prior to his arrival in Brazil, three of Desirio’s offspring were imported, with two racing at Sorocaba, both becoming stakes winners. Secret Call Girl (AAAT-108) won three of four starts at Sorocaba, earning R$250,000, including victories in the GP Sorocaba Futurity (2014) and GP American Cup (2014). Desired Lover (AAAT-100) earned R$97,130 with two wins, including the GP ABQM Rei da Velocidade (2015), while placing second in the 2016 edition of the race and the Consolation of the GP Campeão dos Campeões (2016).

With 12 racing crops, Desirio sired 172 ROMs, nine classic winners, one Superior Race Award recipient, two Regional Champions, and one Champion. His progeny earnings exceeded $5,796,656.

Among his leading performers was Champion PJ Chick In Black, who earned $652,081 with wins in the Ruidoso Futurity (G1), New Mexican Spring Futurity (G2), and West Texas Derby (G3), and was a finalist in the All American Futurity (G1).

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