Page 16 - 8 June 2012

In 2012, in honor of the recent death of Dr. Gianni, the Grand Prix was renamed Megarace—Dr. Gianni Franco Samaja.
by Caio Margutti, Western Magazine
On May 19-20, the Jockey Club of Sorocaba conducted the GP Megarace and the Santo Angelo-FARMASA. The qualifying trials
took place on Saturday, May 19, with the grand finale on Sunday, May 20. Six animals qualified to contest the finals of the Grand Prix Megarace, and four qualified for the Santo Angelo.
In 2012, the Megarace broke records as more than 100 animals were paid into the prestigious race, with 39 horses entered in the trials. The purse was also a record of R$1,200,000, including awards and betting.
Ralph Lima Terra, president of the Jockey Club, said the 11th edition of the Megarace was fantastic. “We hit records, was an absolute success. This race
is the most important in Brazil and Latin America, without a doubt,” Lima Terra said.
Insulto Gold (Gold Medal Jess-Bryan Atacama SA, Blazen Bryan), a chestnut owned by Stud JSS, representing the State of Pernambuco, and bred by Gianni Franco Samaja, was the big winner. Trained by L. Levir and piloted by A. Cavalcanti, he ran the 402 meters in :21.37, giving his owners a substantial prize of $405,000 (less percentage of law).
The GP Megarace was an initiative of the late Gianni Franco Samaja (Haras Santo Angelo) and Fernando Muniz (Estância Shakalô). They formatted
a GP with high awards, developing the race which has become the most important in Latin America. In 2012,
MEGARACE
Brazil’s most important race took place on May 20
Insulto Gold was the big winner of the 2012 GP Megarace.
14 SPEEDHORSE, June 8, 2012
Insulto Gold’s owners, family and friends during the award presentation.
AROUND THE GLOBE
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