Empressum as he prepares for a history-making bid in the 2026 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos.

© Bailey Ivey, StallioneSearch

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

LOS ALAMITOS, CA–DECEMBER 12, 2025–StallioneSearch.com kicks off its webcast coverage of the 2026 Champion of Champions, set for Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course. In this digital short, we take you inside the barn of Elena Andrade, trainer of two-time Champion of Champions winner Empressum.

Empressum is one of three millionaires entered in this year’s Champion of Champions, and he’ll be chasing history as he looks to match the legendary Refrigerator’s record of three wins.

Empressum captured the 2022 Champion of Champions running against one of the deepest fields in the race’s history, then returned to finish second in 2023. Back again in 2024, he delivered a late kick to secure his second Champion of Champions title.

Now past the $2.5 million mark for his career, Empressum ranks as the sport’s third all-time leading earner. He will be ridden by Rodrigo Sigala Vallejo, who guided him in both of his Champion of Champions victories.

CLICK BELOW to hear what Elena Andrade has to say about the morning-line favorite heading into the Grade 1 event.

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Stay tuned for more sneak peeks at the other contenders in the upcoming Champion of Champions, sponsored by the following stallions: Aint He Tempting, Apollitical Blood, Dulce Sin Tacha, EOS A Political Win, Jess Good Candy, One Valiant Hero, Tempting Dash, The Fiscal Cliff, and Uncle D. New stallions entering the sire ranks for 2026 and sponsoring the webcast include Cuz Lightyear, Electrifying Cowboy, Kiss My Maruska, Makin An Effort, Stanley Cartel, and Unrelentless.

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