Hercules Verde Shows Clear Superiority in Brazil’s GP Taça de Prata

Racing at South America’s largest Quarter Horse racetrack continues at full speed, with the GP Taça de Prata final highlighting last Saturday’s program, August 15.

The competition brought together 19 horses aged 3 and older, divided into five trials held two weeks earlier. Only the winner of each trial advanced to the final, which offered a total purse of R$45,000 (approximately US$8,688).

Hercules Verde was the fastest qualifier after clocking 16.416 seconds over 330 yards (301 meters), earning a 94 speed index. In his trial, he defeated Uriel Lake Simon, Queen Charlotte and Wyoming Secrets, displaying great determination after an intense battle for the lead.

Naturally established as the favorite for the final, the 3-year-old colt, who weighs 1,302 pounds (591 kg), was once again ridden by jockey Julio Medina, who rode at 120 pounds (54 kg).

In the final, Hercules Verde was simply perfect. Shortly after the break, he quickly opened an advantage and maintained a pace that kept him in front throughout the entire race, winning with authority and stopping the clock in 16.562 seconds.

Hercules Verde earned his third victory in four starts. The title also marked a third consecutive GP Taça de Prata victory for horses bred by Haras Vista Verde, owned by Brazilian legend Mauro Ely Zaborowsky, one of the most important figures in the history of Quarter Horse racing in the country and a longtime advocate for strict anti-doping policies in the sport.

“Another victory for this wonderful team we have. This horse is just like his sire, Yankee Verde, calm and easygoing,” Mauro said. “I even get emotional because he is a stallion who had only 11 foals in this crop, which means he has had very few opportunities. Last year, he bred only four mares, an extremely low number considering what he has already shown. But I am also very happy because, in addition to our third consecutive title, we finished one-two with horses we bred in this race, with Hadassa Vista finishing second,” he added.

Racing for Stud dos Amigos, Hercules Verde is trained by Adilson Macedo, popularly known as “Bochecha.” Macedo was the winningest jockey of all time at Jockey Club de Sorocaba, with 236 victories, a record that remains unbroken.

A multiple champion, Macedo was also responsible for the early success of Edberg Verde in Brazil. The horse is currently racing in the United States, where he has earned US$105,663.

Macedo and jockey Julio Medina also celebrated their third consecutive GP Taça de Prata title, having previously won the race with Fresno Verde in 2024 and Graziela Vista in 2025.

Hercules Verde’s sire, Yankee Verde, is a son of No Secrets Here, winner of the 2006 All American Futurity, where he established a race record of 20.886 seconds for 440 yards. Hercules Verde is out of Head of Brasil (by Feature Mr Jess), a California-born mare bred by Benny Rosset.

Shortly after the GP Taça de Prata final, a scene involving the champion caught the attention of both those in attendance and viewers watching the broadcast. Showing his remarkable calm temperament and excellent disposition, Hercules Verde allowed children around him to pet him and even sit on his back for photos.

His staff said he has always displayed this temperament, not only in the barn but also in different situations, including those that could be extremely stressful for a racehorse.

Racing at Jockey Club de Sorocaba continues on August 29, highlighted by the GP São Paulo trials.

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