Altair Domingos and Obataye, Highlights at Brazil's Troféus Mossoró

In a sensational comeback, the veteran jockey was voted Jockey of the Year; just as in Argentina, the champion who won both the Latinoamericano and the Pellegrini was crowned Horse of the Year

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special for Turf Diario).— Champion Obataye continues to add new chapters to a career already etched among the finest in South American racing. The son of Courtier received the ultimate accolade once again, this time at the Troféus Mossoró, where he was crowned Horse of the Year for the 2025/2026 season in Brazil, an honor coming just a few months after achieving the same distinction in Argentina at the Distinciones Pellegrini.

The ceremony, held Saturday evening at the Páreo restaurant of the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Gávea, brought together the leading figures of Brazilian turf and featured the defender of Haras Rio Iguassu colors as its main protagonist. Bred by Haras Palmerini and now retired from the track to launch his stallion career, Obataye was also named Champion Older Horse (4-Year-Olds and Up), capping an exceptional season.

His campaign carried a truly international profile. In Brazil, he captured the Copa ABCPCC Clássica - Matias Machline (G1), triumphed in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1), and then crossed borders to craft an unforgettable feat at San Isidro, where he defeated the continent's top stayers in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini(G1).

This dual recognition as Horse of the Year in both Argentina and Brazil underscores the magnitude of a campaign unlikely to be repeated anytime soon, one that established him as a point of reference for the entire region.

Another of the night's most emotional moments centered on Altair Domingos, who earned his first award as Jockey of the Year. The veteran rider accepted the statuette from the hands of the legendary Jorge Ricardo, who warmly recalled the support he received from Domingos following a catastrophic accident that threatened his life during a meeting in Argentina.

The award was backed by Domingos's own remarkable story. After enduring a lengthy spell away from the saddle due to physical setbacks, the jockey made a triumphant return to action at an extraordinary level, quickly reclaiming the spotlight that defined much of his career while collecting major stakes wins along the way.

It was also a maiden triumph for Antônio Marcos Oldoni as Trainer of the Year. The popular "Cavaco" logged a brilliant campaign, securing 8 G1 victories during the season, including Obataye's historic international double in the Latinoamericano and the Pellegrini, accomplishments that cemented his status among the elite ranks of Brazilian conditioners.

The remaining categories featured several standout honorees. Plano B (Emcee) was named Champion 2-Year-Old Colt; Iluminada (Drosselmeyer) took home the award for Champion 2-Year-Old Filly; Zucca Baby (Hofburg), recent winner of the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1), was voted Champion 3-Year-Old Colt; Veil (Can the Man) earned top honors among 3-year-old fillies; Eletrizante Dollar (Billion Dollar) was named Champion Sprinter; Tyrion(Salto) took top Dirt Horse; Naturalizada (Emcee) was recognized as Champion Female Stayer; and Gevrey-Chambertain (Drosselmeyer) was crowned Champion Older Female (4-Year-Olds and Up).

Among industry operations, Haras Belmont was voted Owner of the Year, while Haras Old Friends celebrated as Breeder of the Year alongside a third consecutive title for Drosselmeyer (Distorted Humor) as Sire of the Year. Meanwhile, Setembro Chove (Fast Gold) secured his fifth title as National Sire of the Year, consolidating his rank as the second most decorated stallion in the history of the category, trailing only the nine crowns of Redattore (Roi Normand).

The evening closed with a deeply moving tribute to Afonso Burlamaqui, founder of Haras Santa Rita da Serra, who looked back on his career alongside his family and received a standing ovation from the entire racing community for his invaluable contributions to Brazilian breeding.

The Troféus Mossoró thus once again honored the highlights of a memorable season, though the defining image of the night belonged indisputably to Obataye. Now retired from competition and stepping into the stud barn, the extraordinary stayer exits the racetrack with a rare privilege reserved for the select few: being acclaimed Horse of the Year in South America's two premier racing powerhouses.