Liv Senator Sam captures the fifth victory of her career for the Stud Imortais team.

© Turfe Eunapolis and

By Turfe Eunapolis

SOROCABA, BRAZIL–JULY 1, 2026–The GP ABQM Rainha da Velocidade is one of the most prestigious races for mares aged three and older in South America, consistently revealing future broodmares that also go on to achieve outstanding success in the breeding shed.

One notable example is Dinastia Toll, the 2001 champion, who was exported to the United States and later became the dam of FDD Dynasty, a renowned multiple stakes winner at Los Alamitos who would eventually become one of the most successful stallions in the Quarter Horse industry.

Jockey Ailton Santana returns aboard Liv Senator SAM following another career victory. © Clicks do Turfe

In 2026, the event brought together 12 competitors, divided into four trials, with only the winners advancing to the final.

The qualifying races were held on June 13, and Liv Senator Sam had already stood out by recording the fastest qualifying time, stopping the clock in 16.281 seconds over 330 yards.

In the championship final, held on Saturday, June 27, the gray mare representing Stud Imortais did not break on top, but quickly assumed command and went on to score the victory.

Liv Senator Sam became the fastest Queen of Speed in the history of the Jockey Club de Sorocaba, winning the final in 16.111 seconds while earning a 104 speed index with a 3.8 mph crosswind. The victory further elevates the status of Haras Sampaio, one of Brazil's most promising Quarter Horse breeding operations, now reaping the rewards of its philosophy and substantial long-term investments.

Breeder and owner Francisco Sampaio thanks his mare after the victory. © Turfe Eunapolis

"She absolutely deserved this achievement because of the athlete she is and the genetics she possesses," said Francisco Sampaio, breeder and owner, who told StallioneSearch that Liv Senator SAM is being retired from racing to begin her broodmare career. "Nothing could be more valuable than winning the Queen of Speed while setting the fastest time in the history of the race. That is the ultimate accomplishment for a mare," he added.

Louisiana Senator is the sire of the 2026 GP Rainha da Velocidade winner at Sorocaba. Foaled in California in 2006, he was one of the best Quarter Horses to race in the United States in 2011, when he captured three Grade 1 races (Leo Stakes, Remington Park Championship and Refrigerator Handicap).

Victory photo with the Stud Imortais team. © Alx Fotografia

He concluded that outstanding season by competing in the Champion of Champions, won by Good Reason SA. He was imported to Brazil the following season, where he began his successful breeding career in South America. He has now become a two-time sire of the Queen of Speed winner, having first accomplished the feat in 2024 with Keith Louisiana HBR.

The dam of Liv Senator SAM is Velocita (by Granite Lake). She has established herself as one of the leading broodmares in South America, maintaining a perfect production record with all four of her starters becoming winners, a feat that has generated tremendous interest and anticipation within the Brazilian breeding industry regarding future descendants of her family.

CLICK HERE to view her full pedigree.

"When I came here, there were people who doubted whether I could win the same way I did back in the Northeast. The results speak for themselves," said trainer Alan Mendes. © Alx Fotografia

Trainer Alan Mendes accomplished the historic feat of winning both the GP Rainha da Velocidade and the GP Rei da Velocidade (with Granite Soul) during the same season. He is one of the most successful professionals in Brazilian Quarter Horse racing. The same can be said for jockey Ailton Santana, who was once again aboard the winner on this occasion.

Liv Senator SAM won five races from seven starts and has earned R$237,800 (approximately US$46,100). The 2025 Sorocaba Futurity champion also posted the fastest qualifying time for the GP ABQM Potro do Futuro, one of Brazil's premier races, but was ultimately unable to compete in the final after suffering an injury. Now crowned Queen of Speed, she appears destined to continue the exceptional breeding legacy established by her dam and maternal family.

The runner-up in the Rainha da Velocidade at Sorocaba was Encantada For Me PK, followed by Graziela Vista (3rd) and Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL (4th), completing the order of finish.

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