Winchester Cartel, ridden by Vitor Lima, powers to victory in the 2026 GP Megarace – Gianni Franco Samaja at Jockey Club de Sorocaba in Sorocaba, Brazil.

© Clicks do Turfe/Turfe Eunápolis

By Turfeeunapolis

SOROCABA, BRAZIL–JUNE 3, 2026–One of the most important competitions in South America was held last weekend, with a total of 37 two-year-old colts and fillies participating, divided into six trials, where only the winners qualified for the title-deciding race.

The Megarace is considered by many to be a kind of "Kentucky Derby" of Quarter Horse racing on the South American continent, promoted by Mr. Jonatas Dantas, CEO of Ana Dantas Ranch, a leader respected throughout the country for the achievements carried out in favor of the Quarter Horse in different disciplines.

Winchester Cartel winning the 2026 Megarace.
© Clicks do Turfe

At Jockey Club de Sorocaba, the "million-dollar race," as it is nicknamed, was contested over a distance of 440 yards (402 meters), with a total purse equivalent to US$200,000. The event brought together a crowd from various parts of the world, who filled the grandstands of the São Paulo racetrack.

Winchester Cartel had already shown great potential in the Brazilian Futurity, held last April, the other million-dollar Brazilian competition, this one at 350 yards, where he ended up being defeated in the trial by Fantastic Beduino, who would go on to become the champion of that race. Winchester Cartel competed in the Juvenile of the same Grade 1 and ended up claiming the title. There was great anticipation regarding his next starts, especially because of the characteristics that suggested he would appreciate more distance.

After a rest, the 1,340-lb colt returned as one of the major names of Megarace 2026, highly regarded in the wagering. Competing in Trial 1 on Saturday, May 30, he faced five rivals. As usual, his early acceleration was quite average. Up front, Alpha Granite was approaching a one-length advantage. Ridden by jockey Vitor Lima, Winchester Cartel improved his performance throughout the race, gaining momentum and passing the leader, stopping the clock in 21.466 seconds over the 440-yard distance. He earned a Speed Index of 101.

On Sunday, May 31, Brazil stopped to watch its most attractive race in the Quarter Horse breed. After the break, Expresso Lake STM took the lead, living up to his status as one of the fastest horses of the new generation. The reigning GP Super Sprint champion gave no indication that he would surrender so easily to any challenge. The problem was that Winchester Cartel intensified his powerful charge in the decisive stretch of the race, with the final 100 meters being far superior, overtaking the leader and opening daylight to write his name into the history of the GP Megarace - Gianni Franco Samaja champions. Improving from one day to the next, he posted a time of 21.332 seconds, earning a Speed Index of 104.

A native of the city of Conceição do Coité, in the state of Bahia, jockey Vitor Lima was emotional about the victory. So was trainer Kelvin Bispo, who, embracing the rider, expressed himself in a beautiful scene: "You can cry, we won the Megarace." Both young men, winning for the first time the competition that every professional dreams of winning in horse racing in Brazil.

Trainer Kelvin Bispo and jockey Vitor Lima lead Winchester Cartel on the victory lap following his championship triumph. © Turfe Eunápolis

"I want to thank everyone who always believed in me. It was love at first sight with this colt from the time he was in the auction, and I tried to convince the owners to buy him. At the time, it didn't work out," said Kelvin. "But look how destiny works. Later, I changed barns, with another owner, precisely to work with the horse I had always dreamed of. God is wonderful!" he added.

Kelvin is the nephew of Zé Bispo, one of the most successful trainers in the history of Quarter Horse racing in South America. Already experienced, having worked in technical assistance during training, he assumed a more prominent role this season, which ultimately culminated in the success achieved in the GP Megarace.

For jockey Vitor Lima, who until recently had an uncertain future in the profession, the most important trophy of his career elevates his status and places him among the elite. "I suffered a lot to get here. And I had to make some risky decisions along the way, but it was worth it. Thank you, God, my horse, and everyone who cheered for me. I will dedicate this victory to my family, my friends, especially those from Bahia," said Vitor Lima.

Born in July 2023, Winchester Cartel was purchased by owner Celso Alves de Alcântara at the Haras Flor do Campo & Estância 3M Sale last year, having been sold for a total of R$432,000 (currently equivalent to US$86,000). The American stallion Coronado Cartel, with only a few offspring in Brazilian territory, managed to become a two-time GP Megarace sire, having won for the first time in 2024 with the filly Make Me, registering a spectacular strike rate.

Owner Celso Alves de Alcântara with the Megarace champion's trophy. © Turfe Eunápolis

Winchester Cartel's dam is Korona Kess BR (by Fantastic Corona Jr.), and, interestingly, on the same weekend, her other son, WYOMING SECRETS (this one from a cross with No Secrets Here), won the João Vitor Pasqualotto Special Race, also contested at Jockey Club de Sorocaba.

Stylish Jess BR, Winchester Cartel's granddam on his maternal side, raced in the United States under the ownership of Benny Rosset, CEO of Haras Flor do Campo and breeder of the 2026 Megarace champion. She was a Grade 1 winner at Los Alamitos, where she campaigned from 2007 to 2011, totaling 11 victories and earnings of US$804,298, trained by the legendary Paul Jones. Benny was also the owner of the 2006 All American Futurity winner, when No Secrets Here established the historic race record.

Benny Rosset, CEO of Haras Flor do Campo, breeder of Winchester Cartel. © Turfe Eunapolis

"This colt weighs more than 600 kg (1,340 lbs) and is very healthy. We study every detail to create a balanced breeding program that prioritizes the athletic life of our horses for much longer," said Benny Rosset. "I am very happy with this achievement. I hope Celso (the owner) and everyone else enjoy it very much," he added.

Winchester Cartel has recorded 3 victories (and one second-place finish) in 4 starts, totaling R$468,000 in earnings (equivalent to US$93,000). He is the champion of the GP Megarace and also of the Juvenile Brazilian Futurity. The expectation is that he will now rest and return to compete in the GP Potro do Futuro (440 yards) in July.

Owner Celso Alves de Alcântara, trainer Kelvin Bispo, jockey Vitor Lima, and the Winchester Cartel team celebrate after capturing the 2026 Megarace at Jockey Club de Sorocaba. © Turfe Eunápolis

The runner-up of Megarace 2026 was Expresso Lake STM, a son of Granite Lake and the mare Karina Six (by Tres Seis), bred by Haras Santa Maria and owned by Roberto Sylvio Abdalla. Ridden by jockey M. P. Praxedes, he is trained by I. Nascimento.

Olinda Desirio AD finished third. Next came York Jumpim MRL (4th), Obstinado Corona AD (5th), and Spam Lake (6th).

"It truly was a historic Megarace. We had spectators from various parts of the world, and everything happened exactly as we had planned for the success of the event. I hope everyone enjoyed it," said Jockey Club de Sorocaba president Mr. Jonatan Weisheimer.

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