By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch
PHOENIX, AZ–APRIL 16, 2026– Shiny Nova surged to victory in the $37,800 Bank of America Turf Paradise Championship Challenge at Turf Paradise, stopping the clock in :21.430 seconds while earning a 98 speed index for jockey Gabriel Medrano and trainer Matt Fales.
The sorrel gelding, a homebred for J.P. Sample, dueled throughout and prevailed by a neck in a strong battle.
Sired by Racy Casanova and out of the stakes-winning First To Shine mare Alltheshine, Shiny Nova improved his record to 21-13-1-1 with earnings of $158,957 after collecting ...

By Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 28, 2026– Stetsonn fired up the engines on Saturday night when it was a must against a former All American Futurity winner. At longshot odds of 28-1, he made it to the finish first in the Grade 2, $70,405 AQHA Remington Park Championship Challenge.
The 2023 All American Futurity winner, Cowboys Gun Z, was sent off as the odds-on 4-5 favorite, but could only manage a fourth-place finish. Stetsonn finished a head in front of runner-up Shakers No Secret (9-2), ...
By Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 28, 2026– The 2025 American Quarter Horse Association Distance Champion, Handin Out Candy, showed why he won that award, pulling away from a stellar field of turn horses Saturday night to win the Grade 2, $40,018 Q-Racing Video Remington Park Distance ...
By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–March 26, 2026—Saturday night at Remington Park will showcase one of the premier programs of the season as the Challenge races headline an eleven-race card. Featured events include the Grade 2 $40,018 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Stakes and the Grade 2 $70,405 AQHA Racing Championship Challenge Stakes, drawing top-tier talent from across the country.
Race ten, scheduled for approximately 10:03 PM, will test stamina and precision at ...

By Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–MARCH 25, 2026–A field of 10 has been drawn for Saturday night’s Grade 2, $70,405 Remington Park Championship Challenge with 2023 All American Futurity winner Cowboys Gun Z as the 6-5 morning line favorite for the 440-yard race.
When the 1-10 favorite in the 2023 Grade 1, $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico, Dark NME, ducked in at the start of that race, the crown that year was up for grabs.
Cowboys Gun Z, trained by Michael Joiner for that All American, took ...
AMARILLO, TX–MARCH 2, 2025–With one simple enrollment, the AQHA Racing Challenge provides value to a horse for a lifetime.
In 2025, Challenge-enrolled yearlings offered at the 2025 sales were worth an average of 61% more than ...
By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
MEXICO CITY, MEX–MARCH 15, 2026–Heavy favorite Dk Crystal Favorite lived up to expectations by securing her fifth consecutive win in the $24,700 AQHA Distaff Challenge at the Hipódromo de las Américas on Sunday. Only four horses competed in the 400-yard stakes race, and they completed the race in the order they were positioned at the starting gate.
Jockey Nestor Duran was aboard Dk Crystal Favorite for the impressive four-kength victory. From the inside lane, the duo ...

by Richard Linihan
OKLAHOMA CITY–MARCH 13, 2026–In two trials for the 870-yard Grade 2, $30,000-added American Quarter Horse Association Remington Park Distance Challenge, the two heavy favorites – Handin Out Candy and O Donovan Rossa - were dominant Friday night.
The two fastest qualifiers – Handin Out Candy and O Donovan Rossa – respectively, ran in two separate trials and each won as expected, setting up an all-hands-on-deck final scheduled for Saturday, March 28.
O Donovan Rossa, a multiple distance ...

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
MEXICO CITY, MEX–MARCH 12, 2026–The Sunday, March 15 racing program at Hipódromo de las Américas will showcase an exciting eleven-race card highlighted by several notable stakes events that promise strong competition for fans and bettors alike.
Headlining the afternoon will be the $54,456 Mexico Derby, accompanied by the $24,838 AQHA Distaff Challenge, the $17,420 Clásico Francisco Pasquel Stakes, the $7,586 Mexico Derby ...

Courtesy of AQHA
AMARILLO, TX–MARCH 10, 2026– With one simple enrollment, the AQHA Racing Challenge provides value to a horse for a lifetime.
In 2025, Challenge-enrolled yearlings offered at the 2025 sales were worth an average of 61% more than non-enrolled horses, and the median sale prices for Challenge-enrolled horses was almost double of non-enrolled horses, according to information gathered by Q-Data.
The average sale price for AQHA Challenge-enrolled ...

By StallioneSearch
AMARILLO, TX–JANUARY 12, 2026– Payments for the 2026 AQHA Racing Challenge program begin January 15, and the American Quarter Horse Association is reminding owners and trainers to closely track upcoming nomination and sustaining deadlines as the Challenge season approaches.
For the 2026 Challenge season, AQHA has set a $400 nomination fee and an $800 sustaining fee for each eligible Challenge race. Nomination deadlines vary by event and region, making it critical for participants to review individual race requirements and submit payments on ...

AMARILLO, TX–JANUARY 1, 2026–The American Quarter Horse Association the 2026 AQHA Racing Challenge Races Schedule with nomination, trials and finals dates included.
AQHA encourages participants to always verify entry procedures directly with the host track, and to remember that each region’s race schedule is subject to change without advance notice.
For the 2026 Challenge season, AQHA lists a $400 nomination fee and an $800 sustaining ...

By StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 20, 2025–StallioneSearch.com concluded its webcast coverage of the 2025 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship weekend with full recap coverage of both the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) and the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) from The Downs at Albuquerque.
In the John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2), trainer Jason Olmstead sent out one of the biggest longshots of the weekend as Raizen Kane delivered a determined effort to stun the field at 92-1 ...

By StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 20, 2025–StallioneSearch.com continues its on-site coverage of the 2025 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship weekend with feature coverage of the $287,875 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), showcasing the sport’s premier classic horses going 440 yards.
Scoops Dynasty proved once again why he is among the elite older Quarter Horses in training with a determined victory in Sunday’s $287,875 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.
The 6-year-old brown gelding completed the 440-yard distance in 21.137 seconds, posting a 98 speed index while battling a 5-mph headwind over a fast ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 18, 2025—Scoops Dynasty proved once again why he is among the elite older Quarter Horses in training with a determined victory in Sunday’s $287,875 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1) at Albuquerque Downs.
The 6-year-old brown gelding completed the 440-yard distance in 21.137 seconds, posting a 98 speed index while battling a 5-mph headwind over a fast track.
Owned and bred in Idaho by Edward J. and Von ...

By StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 19, 2025–StallioneSearch.com continues its on-site coverage of the 2025 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship weekend with feature coverage of the $118,975 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship (G1), showcasing the sport’s premier distance specialists going 870 yards.
Saturday’s action at Albuquerque Downs saw Handin Out Candy deliver a commanding front-running victory in the Grade 1 event before the evening’s remaining stakes races were postponed due to an unexpected power failure at the track.
Asserting control from the start, Handin Out Candy displayed both speed and stamina under jockey Omar ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 19, 2025–A tight photo finish determined the outcome of Sunday's $174,050 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship-G3 at the Downs at Albuquerque, as Mysterious Cartel held off a hard-charging Whata Lota Boy to score his first career stakes victory.
The 400-yard final for three-year-olds produced a dramatic ending, with Mysterious Cartel prevailing by a neck in 19.389 seconds and earning a 95 speed index on the fast track. The upset victory paid $16.20 to win at 7-1 odds.
Ridden by Christian Cardenas and trained by David M. Gomez-Barraza, Mysterious Cartel is owned by Luis A. Gonzalez. The Texas-bred son of ...

By StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – OCTOBER 19, 2025 — StallioneSearch.com kicks off its coverage of the 2025 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship weekend with a feature on the $125,800 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday night.
The evening’s championship program began with strong undercard stakes and featured both the Q-Racing Distance Challenge Championship (G1) and the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) before racing came to an abrupt halt due to a power failure at the track.
After an extended delay and unsuccessful attempts to restore lighting, racing officials postponed the remaining championship events to ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 18, 2025—Raizen Kane (92-1) delivered a determined performance to surprise the $149,925 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) on Sunday at Albuquerque Downs.
Breaking sharply from the gate, the sorrel gelding dueled early before edging clear to win by a half-length in 17.365 seconds for 350 yards, earning a 93 speed index with a 3 mph tailwind over a fast track.
Trained by Jason Olmstead and ridden by Ramiro Garcia, the Texas-bred son of world champion sire One Famous Eagle out of Cartel Regards by Corona Cartel earned $68,966 for the victory.
Bred and owned by Bobby D. Cox, Raizen Kane was a $40,100 repurchase at the 2025 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale. The two-time winner from five starts was second ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 18, 2025—Track officials at The Downs at Albuquerque were forced to cancel the final three races of Saturday’s AQHA Challenge Championship card after a city-wide power outage plunged the track into darkness late in the program.
The affected races — the $287,875 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), $174,050 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3), and $149,925 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship (G2) — have been rescheduled for Sunday, October 19, with first post set for 12:30 p.m. (MDT).
Saturday’s card featured 10 stakes events, including five undercard stakes and five ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 18, 2025–Alliekat Dynasty added another major title to her résumé Saturday night with a determined finish in the $125,800 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship (G1) at The Downs at Albuquerque.
The 4-year-old sorrel filly stopped the clock in 19.206 ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—OCTOBER 17, 2025—Showing early speed and strong staying power, Handin Out Candy proved much the best in Saturday’s Grade 1 $118,975 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Championship at Albuquerque Downs, covering the 870 yards in 44.496 seconds with a 102 speed index.
Ridden confidently by Omar Iturralde for owner Emilio Perez and trainer Paul Sedillo, the 6-year-old sorrel gelding broke sharply, took command early, and never looked back, crossing the wire two and one-quarter lengths in front under clear skies with a ...

By Andrea Caudill
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025–As is typical for each running of the AQHA Racing Challenge Championship (G1), the field set to contest Saturday's edition at The Downs at Albuquerque is a salty bunch.
This year among those who will face the starter are two reigning race champions and a recently crowned Supreme Race Horse, ...

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025—All eyes in the Quarter Horse racing world will be on Albuquerque Downs this weekend, as the track hosts one of the most prestigious events on the calendar: Championship Night, headlined by the $265,000 Grade 1 AQHA Racing Challenge Championship. A star-studded ten-race card is on tap, with qualifiers and stakes winners from across the nation descending upon the New Mexico oval for a shot at glory.
Qualifiers have battled through regional Challenge events all year to earn their spots in these elite finals. The stakes are high, the fields are deep, and the sport’s top equine and human athletes are ready for the ...

By Andrea Caudill
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025–Veteran trainer Buckey Stockwell of Camrose, Alberta, is set to saddle First Famous Prize in the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship (G3) this coming Saturday, October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque ...
Courtesy AQHA Racing
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 16, 2025–Wynnchester is pointing to Saturday's Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge (G1) with a deep support team behind him.
While he comes into the race off a rallying win in the $26,554 Q-Racing Video Will Rogers Distance Challenge in late September, which will likely garner him popularity with the betting public, his biggest group of supporters is likely ...
Courtesy AQHA Racing
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–OCTOBER 15, 2025– Representing the Intermountain and West Coast in Saturday's John Deere Juvenile Challenge during the AQHA Racing Challenge Championships at The Downs at Albuquerque, Flyin Summer is also representing the power of family in the American Quarter Horse racing industry.
The bay filly was bred by Darling Farms and ...
By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 28, 2025–Two Two 22 showed grit and determination in Sunday’s $53,014 Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge, closing with a furious late kick to earn his first career stakes victory.
Despite hopping from the gates and losing ground early, the bay gelding dug in under jockey Mario Delgado to chase down Ketzal at the wire, scoring by a half-length. He stopped the clock for the 400-yard distance in 19.616 seconds, earning a 102 speed index. The effort ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 28, 2025—Alliekat Dynasty turned in a sharp effort on Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs, surging to victory in the Grade 3, $36,660 Cox Ranch Will Rogers Distaff Challenge, a 400-yard test for AQHA Challenge-enrolled fillies and mares three and older.
The 4-year-old daughter of five-time world champion sire FDD Dynasty out of Pollitical Scorpion, by Apollitical Jess, broke alertly under jockey Roman Cruz and never looked back, stopping the timer in 19.832 seconds against a strong 8-mph tailwind, earning a 96 speed index. ...

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch
CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 28, 2025–Wynnchester finally broke through at the stakes level on Sunday afternoon, scoring a determined head victory in the $26,554 Q-Racing Will Rogers Distance Challenge-G3.
With Mario Delgado in the irons, Wynnchester stopped the clock in 46.045 seconds for 870 yards, earning a 93 speed index. The 870-yard win was worth $13,012 for owner Lucky Ladies. Sent off at 5-1 ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 28, 2025—Fastest qualifier Kowboy Boogie delivered on his promise Sunday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs, capturing the Grade 3 $36,660 John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge over 350 yards for AQHA Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds.
Under jockey Bryan Candanosa, the bay ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—SEPTEMBER 27, 2025—Cowgurl Up surged late under jockey Raul Hernandez, Jr. to capture the $28,261 Cox Ranch Lone Star Distaff Challenge at 400 yards for AQHA Challenge-enrolled fillies and mares three years old and up.
The sorrel daughter of leading sire Flying Cowboy 123 stopped the timer in 19.671 seconds, earning a 94 speed index with a 2 mph crosswind on a fast track.
With the victory, Cowgurl Up also earned a coveted berth ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 26, 2025—Paige surged in the final yards to capture the $52,266 Cox Ranch New Mexico Distaff Challenge on Friday afternoon at The Downs at Albuquerque, edging rival Amber Alerrt in a thrilling finish at 400 yards. ...
By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 26, 2025–Sunday afternoon’s card at Will Rogers Downs will showcase four major American Quarter Horse Association Challenge races, each offering added purse money and coveted berths into the national finals at Albuquerque on October 18. The action runs from races seven through ten, highlighted by the $20,000-added (G3) AQHA Distance Challenge, the $20,000-added ...
By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
GRANDPRAIRIE, TX–SEPTEMBER 22, 2025–Saturday night’s feature at Lone Star Park will be the $28,611 guaranteed Cox Ranch Lone Star Park Distaff Challenge Stakes, carded as race three. The event draws a competitive field of fillies and mares three years old and upward, all set to contest the 400-yard distance.
In addition to the purse, the winner will earn a berth to the Cox Ranch Distaff Championship Challenge Stakes finals on ...

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–September 21, 2025–The Friday, September 26 card at Downs at Albuquerque will feature a full slate of stakes and trials. The program includes seven trials for the La Fiesta Quarter Horse Futurity, three for the La Fiesta Quarter Horse Derby. It will conclude with the day’s highlight, the $30,000-added Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Regional Finals.
A field of ten fillies and mares, three years and older, will line up at 400 yards for a berth in the Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Championship finals on October 18.
Installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite is Aj Gold Heart, a four-year-old mare ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—SEPTEMBER 20, 2025—Handin Out Candy dug in gamely through the final yards to prevail in the $60,000 Q Racing Video New Mexico Distance Challenge (G2) at Downs at Albuquerque on Saturday, turning back the late surge of West Tx Rain by a neck.
The Grade 2 event, run at 870 yards for AQHA Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds and older, was contested over a fast track under clear skies with a crosswind of six miles per hour.
The 6-year-old gelding completed the distance in 45.367, ...
SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 16, 2025–RR Lotta Runforrobyn and Francisco Quintero timed their move just right to score the win Tuesday, September 16 in the $39,363 Adequan Derby Regional Challenge at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
The duo stopped the timer in :20.017 in the 400 yard dash to gain a seat at the Challenge Championships ...
SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 16, 2025–TW Streakin Cowboy and Diego Villamil Bocanegra took one step closer to the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship set for Saturday, October 18 at The Downs at Albuquerque. The local duo rallied home for the win in the regional challenge for the $30,000John Deere Juvenile to earn a spot in the final.
TW Streakin Cowboy began from post six and wasn’t the first out of the gate but was surrounded by speed. WR Hott ...
SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 16, 2025–Kelli Girl and Edgar Diaz left no room for doubt Tuesday, September 16 during the regional qualifier for the $26,273 Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge at Horseshoe Indianapolis. The duo powered home to graduate ...
By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–SEPTEMBER 16, 2025–The spotlight at Albuquerque Downs on Saturday, September 20, will shine on the (G2) $50,000-added Q-Racing Video New Mexico Distance Challenge Stakes, carded as race six on the program. A compact but competitive field of five older horses will contest the 870-yard distance, with not only the purse on the line but also an automatic berth into the AQHA Distance Challenge Championship (G1) on October 18 at Albuquerque Downs.
Leading the field as the 9-5 ...

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
SHELBYVILLE, IN–SEPTEMBER 13, 2025–Stakes action takes center stage at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Monday, September 16, with three AQHA Challenge Finals slated back-to-back.
The evening begins with the $26,273-added Cox Ranch Distaff Challenge Finals in race nine, continues with the $30,000-added John Deere Juvenile Challenge Finals in race ten, and concludes with the $39,363-added Adequan Derby Challenge Finals in race eleven. Each winner ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 9, 2025—Four trials were contested Tuesday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs to determine the 10 fastest qualifiers for the $30,000-added John Deere Will Rogers Juvenile Challenge final, set for Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The 350-yard trials featured accredited AQHA Challenge-enrolled 2-year-olds, and Kowboy Boogie and Raizen Kane posted the two fastest times of the day to lead the field to the championship event.
Kowboy Boogie, a ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
CLAREMORE, OK—SEPTEMBER 9, 2025—Two trials were contested Tuesday afternoon at Will Rogers Downs to determine the field for the $30,000-added Adequan Will Rogers Derby Challenge final, and Four Sweet Kid and Ketzal emerged as the two fastest qualifiers from a competitive group of three-year-olds.
The top ten finishers from two heats will return for the 400-yard final on Sunday, September 28.
In the first trial, Four Sweet Kid, a sorrel ...

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
CLAREMORE, OK–SEPTEMBER 8, 2025–On Tuesday afternoon, the final leg of trial heats to qualify for the AQHA Challenge races will be contested, featuring derby and juvenile hopefuls.
The program begins with the Adequan Derby Challenge trials in races three and four, drawing seventeen entrants at 400 yards, followed by thirty-five juveniles in races five through eight for the John Deere Juvenile Challenge trials at 350 yards. Each set of heats will determine the ten fastest qualifiers, who will return for the finals on September ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, AB—AUGUST 22, 2025—O Seeyalater, a five-year-old brown mare by First Timber out of Howdoyado, by Pappasito, fought off a determined challenge late to capture the $46,395(US) AQHA Century Mile Championship Challenge on Friday afternoon at Century Mile Racetrack.
Breaking sharply under jockey Daniel Garcia, O Seeyalater quickly gained the lead and never relinquished it, stopping the timer in 21.589 seconds for the 440 yards and earning a 97 speed index. The mare’s victory came under ...

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
EDMONTON, ONT–AUGUST 20, 202– A full field of top-caliber older Quarter Horses will square off Friday, August 22, in the $40,000(CAN) AQHA Century Mile Championship Challenge at Century Mile Racetrack & Casino.
The 440-yard test, run at the “classic” Quarter Horse distance, will highlight the evening card with an approximate post time of 6:15 p.m. (MDT).
Leading the lineup ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 17, 2025—Hooked N Gone punched his ticket to the Grade 1 AQHA Challenge Championship with a determined victory in Sunday’s $54,510 AQHA Prairie Meadows Championship Challenge Stakes at Prairie Meadows.
The 5-year-old gelding covered 440 yards in :21.760 seconds, earning a 90 speed index with ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 17, 2025—Flashin Dynamite fought gamely through the stretch to capture the $48,807 Adequan Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge on Sunday afternoon at Prairie Meadows, edging clear by a neck at the wire in the 400-yard test for AQHA Challenge-enrolled 3-year-olds. ...
By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch
ALTOONA, IA—AUGUST 16, 2025—Margarets Cowboy fought gamely in the final strides to capture the $70,125 John Deere Prairie Meadows Juvenile Challenge Stakes on Saturday evening at Prairie Meadows.
The son of leading third-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 stopped the timer in ...