Las Monjitas Doubles Down on Global Ambitions with Acquisition of Queen Sienna

The prominent Argentine-bred mare, a standout at Monterrico, was acquired by Camilo Bautista’s Las Monjitas and will contest the G1 Clásico Pamplona in search of a berth to Del Mar; Francisco Leandro is expected to travel to Peru for the ride; Marcelo Polanco will take over her training in the U.S.

Queen Sienna, One of Monterrico’s Leading Turf Mares / JCP

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The international dreams of Stud Las Monjitas just gained a new spark of hope, following an uncommon move for South American racing that could pave the way toward something much bigger.

Camilo Bautista’s operation is finalizing the acquisition of Queen Sienna, one of the leading turf mares in training at Lima’s Monterrico Racecourse, with only minor details remaining to complete the deal. And there’s already a roadmap in place.

“We’re really happy and excited about her,” said Tomás Fernández Llanos, racing manager for the orange-and-blue silks, to Turf Diario. “She’ll run in the G1 Clásico Pamplona with the goal of qualifying for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf this November at Del Mar.”

The Pamplona is part of the South American qualifying series for the Breeders’ Cup, alongside the G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, G1 Gran Premio Criadores, G1 Grande Prêmio Brasil, G1 Clásico Club Hípico de Santiago, and G3 Clásico Asociación Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera.

“She’s a gorgeous filly and has an outstanding pedigree,” Fernández Llanos added. He’s not wrong: a daughter of Fortify and Gamuza Fina (Equal Stripes), a dual G1 winner and champion 2-year-old filly in Argentina, Queen Sienna is a half-sister to G2 winner Gamble Rules (Roman Ruler), and stakes winners Gray Fox and Gaspy.

Originally purchased as a yearling by Stud Patriots, Queen Sienna has compiled 7 wins from 13 starts in Peru, including the Listed Clásico Ernesto Ayulo Pardo and Clásico Kimba, while also finishing runner-up against males in the G1 Gran Premio Nacional Augusto B. Leguía and third in the Clásico Socios Vitalicios del Jockey Club del Perú on her seasonal return in April.

Most recently, under the care of Jorge Luis Salas, she captured a prep handicap over 1800 meters on turf by 2 1/2 lengths, setting her up for her main target.

“She’ll remain with Salas through the Pamplona, and we’re planning to have Francisco Leandro travel to Peru for the ride,” Fernández Llanos revealed. “After that race—regardless of the outcome—she’ll be sent to the U.S., where Marcelo Polanco will take over her training. He’s currently preparing Violeta M. (John F Kennedy) for us, who’s scheduled to debut at Del Mar.”

Las Monjitas is steadily expanding its presence beyond Argentina. In addition to Happy Happy Day (Hi Happy), a G1 winner trained by Paulo Lobo in the U.S., and a few U.S.-bred runners, the operation also has Satu (Catcher In the Rye) and Nam Phrik (Hofburg) in Dubai, trained by Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoaga.

For Camilo Bautista, the dream is to win big overseas, even as his team continues to build from its base in Argentina. With Queen Sienna, Las Monjitas is taking a bold shot—one that could shine brightly at Monterrico and, just maybe, carry all the way to Del Mar.