Francisco Leandro to Ride Peruvian Colt Happy Man in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano
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Ahead of his trip to Dubai, the Brazilian jockey will take part in the prestigious continental event, and he will also ride the filly Amazonka in the Grande Prêmio Marciano de Aguiar Moreira
It has certainly been a week of big news for Francisco Leandro, the Brazilian jockey who has long topped the leaderboards at Argentina’s major tracks. As reported earlier this week, Leandro has been signed by Sky Racing to ride the 2025/2026 season in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he will depart in early November.
But before heading overseas, he will face a major challenge: Leandro will be part of the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) field at Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after reaching an agreement with Stud Doña Licha to ride Happy Man, one of six Peruvian representatives in the continental showdown.
Bred at Haras Don Alberto in Chile, the Mendelssohn colt boasts a strong record at Monterrico, winning five of 12 starts under the care of Jorge Salas V. His highlight came on April 20 when he captured the Clásico Cámara de Comercio de Lima over 2000 meters of turf—the same distance set for the Latinoamericano.
The chestnut later finished second, 1 1/4 lengths behind Kanko (Newfoundland), in the Clásico Pedro García Miró (G3), and most recently turned in a solid effort in the Clásico Baldomero Aspillaga (G3), the Peruvian qualifier, finishing third behind the filly Boudica (The Lieutenant) and Kanko, just 1 3/4 lengths back.
Leandro will also ride another Peruvian contender in Brazil: Amazonka in the Grande Prêmio Marciano de Aguiar Moreira (G2), contested over 2000 meters of turf for fillies three years old and up. Also owned by Stud Doña Licha and trained by Jorge Salas V., the Mendelssohn filly has three wins in nine starts at Monterrico and most recently finished a distant tenth in the Aspillaga. Earlier in the year, however, she was runner-up in the Clásico Mari July (L) and third in the Polla de Potrancas (G1) and Pamplona (G1).
Leandro, affectionately known as Leandrinho, is expected to have additional mounts for the afternoon of October 18 at the foot of the Corcovado, where his presence will be significant both as a local rider and for his proven talent.
