Page 258 - September 2023

2022 Mexican Quarter Horse Champions of the
Hipodromo de Las Américas
Story by Luis Prieto Zamudio, Translated by Speedhorse Photos by: Luis Prieto Zamudio and Miguel A. Espinoza / Hipódromo de Las Américas
The Mexican Association of Quarter Horses Breeders and Horsemen (AMCCCCM) designated the Champions of the 2022 racing season in January, but it was not until May 6 that the award ceremony took place under the leadership of Veterinarian Daniel Hernández Mandujano.
Recognitions
There were two special recognitions: one to honor the 58-year career of horse trainer Mr. Pablo Rabasa Roqueñi, who was accompanied by his family when he received a plaque from directors of the AMCCCCM. Possessor of vast experience, through a video, Don Pablo gave us a history of his career.
Defined as “The Dean of Horse Trainers” at the Hipodromo de las Américas, he was born in Mexico in 1941. At the age of 22, he immigrated to Chile where he bought his first horses and founded his barn PARAMEXICO, whose silks are the same colors as the Mexican flag. He soon returned to Mexico, and in 1965 began training Thoroughbred horses.
By 1985, when Don Jose Merced Gomez Orozco’s Rancho Atotonilco entered into the Hipodromo de las Américas, he began to train Quarter Horses. “It is with this stable that I have obtained my best victories in the classics, due
to the quality of horses they had.” He fondly remembers the filly Rapid Voyager (Hempen- Miss Georgia Jet, Jet Deck), because with her they beat Woodside (Truckle Feature-Hasty Choice, Friend’s Choice), who was the best racehorse at the racetrack. Without hesitation, he says, “That’s where I had my best experience.”
Excited and grateful to his family and those who have always supported him, Don Pablo concluded, “Currently I train both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, and at 82 I am still active. At the racetrack I have been happy and I will die happy.”
His son Pablo Rabasa Yaguno, who has also been a horse trainer since 1987, said,
“In addition to being a great trainer, ‘Pablito’ is my teacher and best friend, simply a champion for me.”
The second recognition was for Don José Merced Gómez Orozco, who was awarded the “Legacy Breeder” trophy for his 50 years dedicated to the breeding of Quarter Horses, by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) at its annual convention held
last February. Deceased in 2010, Don José Merced was represented by his daughter Adriana Gómez Barnola and her husband, trainer Julián Gutiérrez.
It all began in 1964, when he acquired the Rancho Atotonilco in Yerbanis, Durango, where he established his horse farm. In 1973, he obtained his membership in the AQHA and, since then, he has been consistent in the annual registration of his horses in that international organization.
Summary Of The Main Distinctions
Twenty-nine equine titles were awarded, with Rey Alfredo being the only one who obtained three of them in AQHA Mexican Champion, Mexican Champion 3-Year-Old Gelding and Horse of the Year. The son of the stallion Fearless Fritz had an excellent season, which included wins in the Subasta Selecta, Mexico and Mexican Breeder’s Challenge derbies, as well as setting a New Track Record of :19.07 for 400 yards. As part of the runners of Cuadra Baldeli, he contributed in such an important way so that he was named Cuadra Champion by Points (705), along with Mexican Champion 2 Year Old DK Mexicana, among other outstanding runners.
Proud Corrina by Corona Cartel, dam of the aforementioned Rey Alfredo, was named Champion Broodmare.
In the 2-year-old division, BR Valiente stood out, winning more than 3 million pesos, for which he was awarded the trailer by the AQHA to the Mexican runner auctioned and with
the highest earnings in the season, to which
he contributed by being crowned winner of
the Subasta Selecta Futurity-RG2. He is the property of Cuadra Bronco Rider, also owner of multiple winners such as the Champions BR Enamorado and BR Jesse, whose contribution was decisive in Ismael Parra Martínez being designated Leading Trainer by Points (612), and Southern Corona as Champion Stallion by Money Earned with $ 8,440,000 pesos.
The increasingly competitive Mexican breeding was best representative by Dr. Anselmo Aguilar Payán’s Criadero La Presita, being named Champion Breeder for the fourth consecutive season, this time with a score of 851. His star stallion is still Danny Cartel by Corona Cartel, whose sons contributed 633 points, which also earned Danny Cartel being named Champion Stallion by Points (633). His current Champions are DK Mexicana,
MR Juan and Texana Cartel, which all grew up at Criadero La Presita.
Competing with domestic and imported bred horses, the Cuadra Cartas Blancas received the distinction of Champion Owner by Stakes Won (9), and José Eduardo Baltazar Carmona was named Champion Trainer by Stakes Races Won. The Champions Send Me Anywhere, Espejo Fusilero, Jay Number 7, as well as
US Chicks Cartel and Splyndyd, etc., stood out from their barn.
Jockey Yair Daniel Báez had an exceptional season and monopolized the titles of Champion Jockey by Points (810) and by Stakes Wins (10). Among his main successes are winning the Mexico Futurity, Garañones Derby, Enrique Carrión Álvarez Classic, and Francisco Pasquel Classic in which he set a New World Record for 110 yards riding the Divas First Anita by Divas First Down.
Detailed information on the award-winning horses is presented in the table accompanying this article.
256 SPEEDHORSE September 2023