Kevin Banegas to Ride Las Monjitas Following Francisco Leandro’s Departure

The news was confirmed to Turf Diario by Tomás Fernández Llanos, racing manager for Camilo Bautista’s silks

Kevin Banegas has yet to determine when he will officially take over riding duties / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

One of the key factors behind Francisco Leandro’s decision to relocate to Dubai in November, where he will become first-call rider for Sky Racing, was the release granted by his current employer in Argentina, Stud Las Monjitas.

With the Brazilian set to depart in the opening days of November, the powerful Camilo Bautista-owned operation moved quickly to secure a replacement, with the news confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

“We have just reached an agreement with Kevin Banegas, who will take over Francisco’s role,” said Tomás Fernández Llanos, racing manager for Las Monjitas. “Some details remain regarding when exactly he will begin riding for us, but the deal is done.”

At just 25, Banegas has established himself as one of Argentina’s rising stars. This season he sits second to Leandro in the national standings with 191 wins, including 19 stakes victories. A go-to rider for the likes of María F. Álvarez and Wálter Suárez, Nicolás Martín Ferro, and Stud La Nora, Banegas now earns a major opportunity with Las Monjitas.

Since beginning his career on the major circuit in 2016, Banegas has ridden 862 winners from 7,549 mounts, with total earnings of ARS 2,637,789,915. Among those wins are 53 stakes, including 23 graded victories and four at the highest level.

He has partnered with Acento Final (Treasure Beach) to win the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club and the G1 Gran Premio General San Martín; captured the G1 Gran Premio Palermo aboard Comando Secreto (War Command); and guided Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja) to victory in the G1 Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena.

With Leandro’s move abroad, Kevin Banegas will now serve as the retained rider for Stud Las Monjitas—and it won’t be long before the first photos of the new partnership appear.