Gregorio Tomas Vallejos, a longtime New Mexico Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred trainer passed away on Tuesday, May 13.

photo courtesy of the Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home

DEXTER, NM–MAY 20, 2025–Longtime New Mexico quarter horse and thoroughbred trainer Gregorio Tomas Vallejos passed away in Dexter, on May 13, 2025 at the age of 86.

He had a passion for riding and training horses and enjoyed spending time at the racetrack with friends and family.

According to Equibase, Vallejos achieved 62 wins, 98 second-place finishes, and 102 third-place finishes, earning $438,008 as a thoroughbred trainer. As a quarter horse trainer, he recorded 132 wins, 188 seconds, and 159 thirds, accumulating over $1 million in earnings.

Equibase's stats went back as far as 1985 for Vallejos, who started his training career prior to that. Some of his top horses recorded include three-time winner Mr Tornado Alley, Grade 1 Lou Wooten Handicap stakes-placed winner Blushing Cartel, and three-time graded stakes finalist Real Risky.

Vallejos was the 1997 top quarter horse trainer at the now-closed Santa Fe Downs north of Albuquerque.

Among his greatest affections in life were his beloved horse, Bushido, and his support for the Kansas City Chiefs. He also had a keen interest in mechanical work, welding, and teaching others how to ride.

He had a love for dancing, socializing over a beer, and playing pool with friends, as well as cherishing moments spent with women he admired.

The El Paso Times interviewed one of Vallejos’ nine children, Greg. "My dad was popular, people were always stopping to talk him and were always asking about him. He was loved," said Greg. "He loved what he did in horse racing, whether it was training quarter horses or thoroughbreds. He just loved being at the track. I remember being at the track with him when I was a kid and it was important to him. Even when he didn't train horses at the track the past few years, he'd help break horses and get them ready for others at his home."

He is also famously known as the uncle of the renowned jockey Mike Smith, who continues to ride and clinched the Thoroughbred Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes) in 2018 with Justify. Since 1919, only 13 horses have achieved the Triple Crown. Additionally, Smith secured a victory in the 2005 Kentucky Derby aboard Giacomo.

"My uncle Thomas helped me a great deal, and I still remember my time as a young kid in New Mexico," said Smith in a 2018 article in the El Paso Times.

Vallejos trained the horse for Smith's first-ever win in New Mexico at the age of 16 in 1982.

Gregorio is preceded in death by his Father and Mother Biterbo & Rosita Vallejos; grandparents, Fermin & Teresita Vallejos, Felipe & Alcaria Lechuga; siblings, Felix Vallejos, Tillie Sigala, Lilia Sanchez, Nestora Sedillo, Albert (Beto) Vallejos, Dan Lucero, Jimmy Lechuga.

He is survived by his siblings, Richard and Olivia Vallejos, Carlos & Gloria Vallejos, Clara & Pete Aguilar, Cecilia Lucero, Irene & Jesse Aguilar, Vidall & Westley Daniel, Alfredo & Patsy Vallejos, Cathy & Manuel Gamboa, and Lorie & Gary Chavez; his children, Annete Chavez, Greg Vallejos, Vanessa Archuleta, Rudy Vallejos, Salvador Vallejos, Nancy Salcido, Rosemaire Jacquez, and Eddie Vallejos; grandchildren, Dominic & Alexis Vallejos, David Chavez, Christina Archuleta, Larry Archuleta, Christopher Archuleta, Malachi Vallejos and many more; great-grandchildren, Aaliyah Vallejos, Xxzvain Vallejos, Jade Vallejos, Dominique Vallejos, Kanan Vallejos, Cataleya Vallejos and so many more; nieces & nephews Mike Smith, Jimmy Sanchez, Frank Sanchez, special niece Mary Lujan, Susie Carillo & several others; and close friends Susie Byrd, Charlene Campbell, Jesus Carretta

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 1:00 PM, and an interment will follow at South Park Cemetery.