Robson Aguiar, a Brazilian Who Always Finds His Way to the Breeders’ Cup

Assistant to Adrian Murray, a maker of stars and a trainer in the making himself, Robson Aguiar is enjoying special days at Del Mar alongside Bucanero Fuerte and Arizona Blaze, two of Europe’s top sprinters

Robson Aguiar, Arizona Blaze, and a Perfect Snapshot at Del Mar / BREEDERS' CUP

By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special Correspondent for Turf Diario at Del Mar, California, USA)

DEL MAR, California – The smile on Robson Aguiar’s face says it all—a mix of pride, emotion, and anticipation as he lives out another special week at the Breeders’ Cup. A Brazilian horseman of humble origins and a lifetime devoted to the sport, Aguiar is savoring a unique experience at Del Mar as part of Adrian Murray’s team, which brings two of Europe’s top sprinters to the stage of the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The duo—Bucanero Fuerte (Wootton Bassett) and Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev)—arrived from Ireland after completing stellar campaigns. Both were prominent in their latest outing, the G1 Flying Five Stakes at The Curragh, finishing first and third, respectively.

“He ran a great race that day, traveled perfectly from Ireland, and has really enjoyed the weather and the surface here. He’s in top shape, and I believe he’s going to run a huge race,” Aguiar said calmly about Bucanero Fuerte.

As for Arizona Blaze, the optimism is just as strong. “He’s one of the best sprinters in Europe right now. He loves the weather here, drew a good gate, and everything suggests he can put up a big performance,” added the Brazilian, who oversees each piece of work from the saddle.

Now 40, Aguiar stands on the verge of a new chapter in his career. After five seasons as Murray’s principal assistant, he will receive his trainer’s license in 2026 and begin saddling runners under his own name, based in Mullingar, West Midlands, from his own training yard. “I have the place, the horses, and a real desire to keep growing. This year has been incredible—out of a small stable of just 30 horses, we’ve won two G1s, a G2, three G3s, and a Listed race. It’s been a fantastic year, and I think I’m ready to take the next step,” he said modestly, though his record speaks for itself.

Aguiar’s story is one of perseverance and passion. He arrived in Europe more than a decade ago alongside fellow Brazilian Silvestre de Sousa, now one of the world’s elite jockeys. “Those were tough years, full of hard work, but we learned something new every day. I rode, groomed, prepared—whatever was needed—until I established myself as an assistant and started developing yearlings for the major sales. I always dreamed of having my own operation, and now that dream is getting closer.”

Though no longer a professional jockey, Aguiar remains hands-on. “I still ride every day—10 to 12 horses. I like to be on their backs, to feel them, to know how they’re doing. It’s the best way to really understand them,” he said with a smile.

At Del Mar, Aguiar is embracing the present with both feet on the ground and his eyes firmly on the future. “Being here is a dream come true, but also a huge motivation. Representing my country, Brazil, on a stage like this fills me with pride. I just hope the horses run well and we can finish the year in the best possible way.”