by @Turfeeunapolis

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL–NOVEMBER 13, 2025–The 2025 season at Brazil’s premier Quarter Horse racetrack, the Jockey Club de Sorocaba, continues at full speed. Last Saturday, November 8, marked the beginning of the battle for the GP Taça de Ouro title, which brought together 19 horses aged three and older, competing over 350 yards (320 meters), for a purse of R$60,000 (US$11,380).

The trials were divided into five heats, where only the winners stamped their ticket to the final of the competition. The final of the GP Taça de Ouro is scheduled for November 22. CLICK HERE for complete results on StallioneSearch.com qualifiers.

In Trial 1
The filly Apollitical Glory extended the excellent record of the first Brazilian crop by sire Flying Cowboy 123. She is trained by Flavio Melo and ridden by jockey Vicente Barros — a duo seeking back-to-back GP Taça de Ouro titles, after winning the race last year.

The 510-kg (1,124-lb) three-year-old sorrel filly showed great determination from the break, quickly taking the lead over her rivals in the opening strides. She was chased throughout the entire race by colt Maximus Granite, but maintained her advantage all the way to the wire, securing first place.

Apollitical Glory is out of Personal Glory (by Walk Thru Fire), a mare who won three races at Los Alamitos between 2010 and 2011, earning US$172,554 before being exported to South America in 2017.

She was bred and is owned by Érico Braga, CEO of Haras Prata, one of Brazil’s most influential figures, who recently attended the 47th Annual Quarter Horse Yearling Sale, held by Heritage Place.

The first trial of the GP Taça de Ouro ended up without an official clocking due to a technical issue with the electronic timing system. Still, manual times indicated an excellent performance by the winner.

In Trial 2
The victory went to Messi Fantastic STM, a 3-year-old colt racing for Stud JTM, owned by Julio Morel, a renowned representative of Paraguay. Trained by Rivail Rosa and ridden by jockey David Oliveira, the son of Fantastic Corona Jr had a tough battle against filly La Reyna, winner of the GP America Futurity held in May.

He broke slightly in front but was overtaken by his rival, who led through the 110 and 220-yard marks. Showing great determination, Messi Fantastic STM regained the lead in the final stretch, earning a breathtaking win for the crowd. The winning time was 17.516, reaching a speed index of 93, under a 7.8 mph crosswind

Weighing 1,230 lbs, the winner was bred by Haras Santa Maria. Foaled in 2022 in the state of São Paulo, he is out of Miss Jessie Eyelene (by Mr Jess Perry), making him a brother to famous names in South America such as Blend Secrets, nicknamed “Secreto,” one of the most accomplished racehorses in Argentina.

He is also a full brother to Flika Fantastic STM, the top mare in Argentina in 2024, winner of the GP Emperatriz de la Recta, the country’s most important race for fillies, racing for the same owner Stud JTM and breeder Haras Santa Maria.

Trial 3
The third heaty of the GP Taça de Ouro was another success for sire Fantastic Corona Jr, through his son Polo Fantastic. Ridden by Vitor Lima, the 3-year-old colt broke slightly to his left but quickly regained balance and fought for the lead.

In the first 110 yards, it became clear that his toughest rival would be Apollitical Jr, the betting favorite, who held the advantage for most of the race. With powerful strides, Polo Fantastic accelerated and gradually closed the gap, taking command to win with a time of 17.454, recording a speed index of 95 — the highest of his career.

It was another triumph for trainer Alan Mendes, leader of the Sorocaba standings this season, with R$1,015,675 (US$192,575) in earnings.

Owned by Stud Imortais, which purchased him at auction last year for R$504,000 (US$95,380), Polo Fantastic was bred by Haras Santa Maria in partnership with Ana Dantas Ranch. Weighing 1,248 lbs, he is out of Encantada Separatist (by Separatist).

Trial 4
Condessa Flying MV dominated Trial 4 of the GP Taça de Ouro. She led from gate to wire, becoming the second Flying Cowboy 123 offspring to qualify for the final. Ridden by Antônio Levi and trained by Ivanilton Nascimento “Guaxinim”, the 1,164-lb sorrel clocked 17.498 over 350 yards, earning a speed index of 93.

Born in northeastern Brazil, in the state of Pernambuco, the winning filly was bred by Paulo Otavio Freire Macedo, CEO of Haras Monte Verde, who also maintains operations in the United States.

Owner Roberto Sylvio Abdalla acquired Condessa Flying MV at the Haras Vista Verde & Friends Sale 2024 for R$690,000 (US$130,900). He has been a strong investor in the genetics of Flying Cowboy 123 in his country — and is now reaping the rewards.

At 3 years of age, with two wins in three starts, the filly qualified for the GP Taça de Ouro final is out of Maid It Special (by Special Leader), winner of the Texas Juvenile Challenge in 2004 at Sam Houston Race Park.

In Trial 5,
In the final heat, the spotlight belonged to Fast Good Candy, the oldest horse in this year’s GP Taça de Ouro lineup, at 5 years old. Representing Estância 3R, he was ridden by jockey Alan Souza and broke near the outer rail, requiring an early correction.

At the 220-yard mark, he had already opened up a one-length lead over his closest rival and maintained it to the finish, stopping the clock at 17.466 over 350 yards, with a speed index of 94.

Another finalist trained by the legendary Rivail Rosa, who qualified two of his trainees for the final.

Bred by Marco Antônio Ourique, one of Brazil’s most respected veterinarians, Fast Good Candy, who weighed 1,254 lbs, is a son of Jess Good Candy, undefeated in eight starts and earner of US$2,014,703 in the United States, winner of the All American Futurity in 2015. In Brazil, he has only 11 registered offspring.

His dam, Stoli Night (by Stoli), is also American-bred, from the state of Oklahoma.

In loving memory
Brazilian Quarter Horse racing continues to experience strong growth but recently suffered a great loss with the passing of Expedito de Freitas Nobre, popularly known as “Geladeira,” one of the greatest professionals in the nation’s racing history, victim of a heart attack. Tributes continue to be paid by friends, family, and horsemen across the country.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.