Luiz Straw HRZ wins by daylight under jockey Ryan Freitas in Sunday's Championship at Haras Germano.

© Turfeeunapolis

A collaboration by StallioneSearch and Turfeeunapolis

CUSTÓDIA, BRAZIL–SEPTEMBER 9, 2025–The spotlight of Brazilian Quarter Horse racing turned to Custódia, Pernambuco, last weekend, where some of the nation’s best three-year-olds went head-to-head in the third running of the Haras Germano Championship. The premier event for the Northeast region drew an electric atmosphere and produced more than R$2.5 million (US$480,769) in handle, a testament to the sport’s rapid growth across Brazil.

The road to Sunday’s final began a day earlier, with four trials on Saturday, September 6th. Thirteen hopefuls entered, but only the winner of each heat would secure a berth in the championship showdown. The four who earned their way in were Luiz Straw HRZ, Secreta Jess STM, Bueno Fantastic, and Máximo Senator HBR.

The order of finish in the Haras Germano Championship Sunday was Luiz Straw HRZ, Secreta Jess STM, Bueno Fantastic, and Máximo Senator HBR. © Turfeeunapolis

Luiz Straw HRZ announced himself early, cruising to a powerful victory in the first trial. The colt is by Desirio. He is out of Three Times The Toll, by Tres Seis.

Secreta Jess STM, a striking gray filly, took the second trial. She is by No Secrets Here, the 2006 All American Futurity champion and a noted track record holder. She is out of Miss Jessie Eyelene, by Mr Jess Perry.

Bueno Fantastic rose to the occasion in the third trial. He is by Fantastic Corona Jr, a son of Corona Cartel. He is out of Iberica Fly MRL, by Granite Lake.

Máximo Senator HBR rounded out the qualifiers with authority, stopping the clock in the fastest trial time of 17.602 at 330 yards. He is by Louisiana Senator. He is out of Estrela Ket HBR, by Eyesa Special.

The winning connections of Luiz Straw HRZ accept the Haras Germano Championship trophy on Sunday. © Turfeeunapolis

On Sunday, September 7th, anticipation built for one of the year’s most important races in the region. While Máximo Senator had posted the quickest time in the trials the day before, bettors placed their faith in Luiz Straw HRZ—and he delivered.

Breaking sharply and finishing strong, the colt drew away for the win, stopping the timer in 17.305. The performance stamped him as the standout of the 2025 season in Northeast Brazil.

Multiple champion trainer “Berg” is all smiles with the winning trophy from the Haras Germano Championship. © Turfeeunapolis

For young jockey Ryan Freitas, it marked a repeat triumph in the Haras Germano Championship. One year earlier, he piloted the filly Potência Lake to victory in this same race. Potência Lake still holds the 330-yard track record at Haras Germano with a 17.071 clocking over a surface not typically known for producing fast times.

“Luiz has always been a different kind of horse—very kind, easy to train, and gentle,” noted his trainer, multiple champion Berg da Cunha.

Bred by Rancho Horizonte, Luiz Straw HRZ carries the stamp of a quality pedigree. His sire Desirio won the 2004 All American Juvenile and the 2006 Zia Park Championship. His dam, the Tres Seis mare Three Times The Toll, earned $121,525 on the track, highlighted by two wins and a third-place finish in the 2009 Ed Burke Million Futurity-G1.

Luiz Straw HRZ with his grooms after winning the Haras Germano Championship trophy on Sunday. © Turfeeunapolis

The victory earned Luiz Straw HRZ the Grand Prix Haras Germano crown and its R$330,000 (US$63,462) purse. He was a R$90,000 (US$17,308) purchase at the 2024 Haras Monte Verde Sale by owners Haras HMX & Stud HB—a price that now looks like a bargain.

The order of finish in the Haras Germano Championship on Sunday was Luiz Straw HRZ, Secreta Jess STM, Bueno Fantastic, and Máximo Senator HBR.

Brazilian Quarter Horse racing continues to show strength, with purses on the rise in multiple regions. In the Northeast, events like the Haras Germano Championship, organized under Capistrano QMC, are breaking records and attracting the bloodlines of world-class stallions, who are consistently being introduced into the region’s breeding programs. This trend signals steady growth and broader access to world-class genetics.

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