By @Turfeeunapolis                                 

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL–NOVEMBER 3, 2025–The success of Flying Cowboy 123 as a sire has been remarkable, consistently ranking among the leading first, second, and third-generation stallions in the United States across every crop to race.

This year, he is among the top leading sires, closely competing with his sire, Apollitical Jess, as they are separated by a narrow margin at the top of the rankings.

At Brazil’s Jockey Club de Sorocaba Racetrack, Flying Cowboy 123 made his debut as a sire in 2025 with impressive early results. Of his seven offspring to race, four have already become winners, recording a total of eight victories. Graziela Vista and Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL are two of the standout juveniles from his first crop to race in Brazil.

Renowned Northeastern Brazilian breeder Paulo Otávio Freire Macedo, who has long-standing ties in both Sorocaba and the U.S., was an early pioneer in introducing Flying Cowboy 123’s genetics to South America.

“I followed his racing career closely and noticed how quickly his performances improved,” said Paulo Otávio. “I had the opportunity to meet the horse at the All American Derby and fell in love with him.”

Otávio continued, “Flying Cowboy 123 has a very special dam, Hot Cash 123, who goes back to Takin On The Cash (Dash For Cash) — and that makes all the difference. Just a pinch of First Down Dash or one of his descendants is enough to increase the potential of his offspring to become fast runners.”

“After much persistence, I obtained 26 permits and semen to begin breeding his offspring and start his campaign in Brazil,” he added. “I invited several people to join the project — some of whom I’m still friends with, and others who weren’t worth the effort,” he said.

“I thought I would represent the horse for life in Brazil, but he was sold for a fortune, and my project fell apart,” noted Macedo, now CEO of Haras Monte Verde. He has three foals born in 2025 and one to be bred in 2026 — all by Flying Cowboy 123.

FLYING COWBOY 123’S FIRST WINNERS IN BRAZIL

Graziela Vista was the first daughter of Flying Cowboy 123 to win at Sorocaba, the most influential Quarter Horse racetrack in South America. She was bred by the legendary Mauro Zaborowsky out of Kapalua Secrets, by No Secrets Here (2006 All American Futurity champion).

The São Paulo-bred filly was born in October 2022 and is owned by a partnership of Benny Rosset, Celso Álvares de Alcântara, Luiz Meneghel, and Haras Vista Verde.

Graziela Vista was a finalist in the GP ABQM Potro do Futuro, one of Brazil’s premier Quarter Horse races with a purse of R$1,000,000 (US$186,000). More recently in October of this year, she became a stakes winner after capturing the GP Taça de Prata. Trained by Adilson Macedo (“Bochecha”) and ridden by Julio Medina, the bay filly has earned R$69,100 (US$12,900) with three victories.

Another standout filly, Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL, was bred by Haras Portofino and sold at auction last year for R$1,200,000 (US$224,000) to owner Roberto Sylvio Abdalla, one of Brazil’s most prominent investors in the breed.

“Although her debut came later than expected due to a few setbacks, she’s putting together a solid campaign,” said Abdalla. “We believe that as she matures, she will reach her athletic peak. Therefore, we plan to race her again once she is in top condition in 2026, targeting major races for horses three years and older,” he concluded.

Trained by I. Nascimento (“Guaxinim”), Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL is out of the outstanding broodmare White Zoom (by Shazoom), a top producer in Brazil and maternal sister to the champion Teller Turim MRL, a two-time winner of Brazil’s Champion of Champions.

At three, Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL won the Special Tournament – Good Reason SA Auction in her racing debut, already earning a speed index of 102. The black filly remained unbeaten through her first three starts and was a finalist in the GP São Paulo, the opening leg of Brazil’s Triple Crown series.

Haras Portofino currently has three more foals from the same cross — two fillies and one colt — generating great market expectations. The connections of owner Marcos Ribeiro Leite also maintain a breeding base and race frequently in the United States.

In addition to Graziela Vista and Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL, two other Flying Cowboy 123 offspring have scored at Sorocaba Racetrack.

Eletric Flying MV, trained by Rivail Rosa, Brazil’s all-time leading Quarter Horse trainer, races for Haras Fazenda São José. She is out of Take a Look (by Separatist), a U.S.-bred mare by Ed Allred who earned US$179,968 racing from 2014 to 2016 at Los Alamitos.

Another filly, Condessa Flying MV, also bred by Haras Monte Verde and owned by Roberto Sylvio Abdalla, is out of Maid It Special (by Special Leader). She was foaled in Texas.

ADDITIONAL BRAZILIAN SIRE STATISTICS

Flying Cowboy 123 currently leads the first-crop sire standings at Sorocaba in 2025, with total progeny earnings of R$132,050 (US$24,650). His sire, Apollitical Jess, is also having a his best year in Brazil, with R$556,175 (US$103,820) in earnings — highlighted by Miss Apolitical Jess, winner of both the Super Speed and the GP ABQM Potro do Futuro, for total earnings of R$433,500 (US$80,920).

Atop Brazil’s 2025 general sire standings is Gold Medal Jess, another descendant of Mr Jess Perry, whose offspring have earned R$1,347,175 (US$250,600) this year. Leading the way is Anjo Dourado HFSJ, winner of both the Brazilian Futurity and the Megarace, two of the country’s richest races.

Out of My Angel Reason SA (by Good Reason SA), Anjo Dourado HFSJ — owned by Haras Picapau Azul — has become the most decorated Brazilian Quarter Horse in Sorocaba history, with career earnings of R$1,123,100 (US$210,000).

CLICK HERE for a list of Brazil's 2025 leading sires at the Jockey Club de Sorocaba.

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