SELMA, TX—One of the biggest weekends in Texas Quarter Horse racing began Thursday with the TQHA Consignor and Buyer BBQ, hosted by Rigby Equine and SLC Racing, LLC, at the Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in San Antonio. The action continued throughout the weekend with the TQHA Yearling Sale and three days of racing at Retama Park in Selma.

The Texas Showdown weekend built on last year's momentum, with increased wagering across the board in 2026. Combined with the TQHA Yearling Sale and the meet's richest stakes races, the weekend generated more than $2 million in total handle, making it one of the strongest weekends of the Retama Park season.

Total handle for the three-day weekend reached $2,097,857, an increase of $469,694, or 28.8%, over 2025. On-track wagering climbed 16.7% to $351,611, while off-track wagering rose 31.6% to $1,746,246. Friday's total handle increased 34.0% to $754,517, fueled by a 49.9% jump in on-track wagering and a 31.1% gain in off-track handle. Saturday closed out the weekend with the largest live handle since 2012. The total handle soared 44.1% to $977,556, highlighted by a 56.4% increase in off-track wagering and a 6.3% rise in on-track handle.

The inaugural Retama Betting Championship presented by the Texas Quarter Horse Association was also contested over the weekend. The live-money handicapping contest was held on Friday and Saturday and is part of the official National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) Tour leading toward the national finals in Las Vegas.

“The event attracted 47 entries who were competing for NHC seats at the 2027 Las Vegas championship event. This contributed significantly to the live handle,” said Retama Park General Manager Bryan Pettigrew.

Friday featured the opening session of the TQHA Yearling Sale, followed by an 11-race program highlighted by six Accredited Texas-Bred stakes, including the TQHA Classic Stakes-G2, Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes-G2, TQHA 550 Stakes-G3, Miss Retama Stakes, TQHA 250 Stakes, and Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes.

The second session of the TQHA Yearling Sale was held Saturday before a 12-race card headlined by two of Retama Park's richest events, the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1) and the $181,000 Retama Park Derby presented by 440 Equine.

The 2026 TQHA Yearling Sale closed on a high note, generating more than $6.65 million in gross sales while posting gains in every major statistical category despite offering fewer yearlings than a year ago. A total of 272 yearlings sold for $6,658,700, up $829,900 from 2025. The average increased 7.5% to $24,481, while the median climbed 23.1% to $16,000.

Saturday's final session produced the three highest-priced horses of the sale, all by Flying Cowboy 123. The leading sire by average sold 15 yearlings, averaging $88,133, led by sale-topper Hip 374, Whatacowboy, who brought $325,000.

"We're extremely grateful to everyone who participated in this year's TQHA Yearling Sale," said TQHA Executive Director Scott Sherwood. "Our sincere thanks go to all of the buyers for their continued confidence in the Texas breeding program and to the breeders and consignors who brought such an outstanding group of yearlings to the sale."

Flying Cowboy 123's influence carried from the sale ring to the racetrack, as the top three finishers in the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1) were all sired by the nation's leading stallion.

Fastest qualifier, Cowboys Flying remained undefeated while setting a new stakes record with a 2¼-length victory. Ridden by Nestor Duran for owner Double J Racing and trainer Ramiro Villarreal, the gelding covered 350 yards in :17.351, earning a 111 speed index and breaking the 22-year-old stakes record of :17.40 established by Azoom in 2004.

Bred by Dr. Tommy Hays, the $53,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate won the inaugural Texas Breeders Futurity earlier this season. The $304,247 winner's share increased his earnings to $556,993 while improving his record to a perfect four wins from four starts.

"He stood perfect in the gates, but Natural Flying Cowboy out broke me; he was way in front," Duran said. "In like 50 yards, I knew I had him. He's a pretty good horse; he's fast. We expected this from him because in the trials, he looked fast."

Natural Flyin Cowboy finished second for owner Maria Gonzalez and trainer Jose Martinez, increasing his earnings to $177,291 while earning a 99 speed index. Grade 2 winner Whoopie Cowgirl was third for owner Denis Moran and trainer Ramiro Villarreal, raising her earnings to $470,978 with a 96 speed index.

"One of the highlights of the weekend was seeing so many buyers leave the sale and head over to Retama Park to watch graduates of this sale compete in the TQHA Sale Futurity and the Retama Park Derby," Scott Sherwood said. "It really showcased the full circle of our Texas breeding and racing program and the excitement surrounding the future of our industry."

The $181,000 Retama Park Derby presented by 440 Equine preceded the TQHA Sale Futurity, with fastest qualifier Royalist returning to capture the 400-yard feature. Ridden by Luis Vivanco for owner Hector Reina and trainer Ben Olaveson, Royalist covered the distance in :19.933, earning a 101 speed index. The $72,400 winner's share boosted his earnings to $174,469 while improving his record to five wins from 12 starts.

Inflation finished second for owner-breeder Jerry Windham and trainer Marc Jungers, increasing his earnings to $71,867. Ring A Ling Ding was third for owners Cherie and Cade Wallin and trainer Richard Sedillo, raising his earnings to $118,612.

Friday night's card at Retama Park showcased six Accredited Texas-Bred stakes races, highlighted by a pair of Grade 2 events and a Grade 3, as some of the state's top-bred Quarter Horses competed for more than $330,000 in purses.

RACE 6 – $37,400 JONES BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE STARTER STAKES Wise Filly earned the first stakes victory of her career with a determined head win under Francisco Calderon. The Ricardo Aguirre-trained 5-year-old mare covered 350 yards in :18.171, earning an 86 speed index. Owned by Thomas and Jodi Hoffman and bred in Texas by R. E. Wise, Wise Filly is sired by Hawkeye and out of Adorably La Jolla by Streakin La Jolla. She now has three lifetime wins and $50,279 in the bank.

RACE 7 – $59,875 TQHA 250 STAKES Baby Ruth gave Francisco Calderon his second stakes win of the night, holding off a late challenge while covering 250 yards in :13.306 and earning a 102 speed index. The Marc Jungers trainee races for owner Mi Serenity and was bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons. She is sired by Jess Good Candy and out of Jess A Cartel by Corona Cartel. The victory boosted her earnings to $172,496, bringing her career wins to 7.

RACE 8 – $59,750 MISS RETAMA STAKES Bludz Valiant Policy closed with the strongest finish in the field to win by 1½ lengths under Luis Vivanco. Trained by Ben Olaveson for owner and breeder Three Bar T Quarter Horses, the 3-year-old filly covered 400 yards in :19.718, earning a 107 speed index. She is sired by Apollitical Blood and out of Bp Tres Policies by Tres Seis. The win improved her record to six from nine starts and she now has earnings of $161,960.

RACE 9 – $58,000 BENNY PENNINGTON MEMORIAL STAKES (G2) Eye Will Decide rallied from just off the pace to score his second stakes win of the season under Noe Villatoro and trained by Adan Guzman for owner and breeder Bryon Gardner, the 8-year-old gelding covered 870 yards in :46.596. He is sired by Majestic Cartel and out of Valiant Lil Lady by Valiant Hero. The nine-time winner now has earnings of $273,969.

RACE 10 – $58,375 TQHA 550 STAKES (G3) Top Cowboy gave Luis Vivanco and trainer Marc Jungers their second stakes victories of the night with a one-length score. Owned by Rodrigo Gonzalez and Leviram Racing LLC and bred by Tyler and Naia Graham, the 5-year-old gelding covered 550 yards in :27.751, earning a 97 speed index. He is sired by Flying Cowboy 123 and out of Paradice City by PYC Paint Your Wagon. The victory was his first career stakes win, and his earnings increased to $124,413.

RACE 11 – $67,200 TQHA CLASSIC STAKES (G2) Kadillaking upset the favorite under Luis Vivanco, giving trainer Delbert McDowell his first career stakes victory. The Whiting Ranch homebred covered 400 yards in :19.910 while earning a 102 speed index. The 4-year-old gelding is sired by Lota PYC and out of Ms Haulin Chic by Dominyun. He has recorded five wins from 14 starts and his lifetime earnings increased to $92,360.


ABOUT RETAMA PARK Retama Park is a Class 1 pari-mutuel horse racetrack located in Selma, Texas, just 15 minutes from downtown San Antonio. Live Quarter Horse races take place each summer, while simulcast wagering and races from around the world are shown daily. Managed by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), Retama Park opened in 1995 and is hosting its 31st season of horse racing in 2026. For more information and racing schedules, please visit www.RetamaPark.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.


Photos by Jack Coady Photography

1. Cowboys Flying remained undefeated while breaking the 22-year-old stakes record in the $683,700 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG1).

2. Royalist returned from the fastest qualifying time to capture the $181,000 Retama Park Derby presented by 440 Equine.

3. Kadillaking upset the favorite to win the Grade 2 TQHA Classic Stakes.

4. Eye Will Decide rallied to capture the Grade 2 Benny Pennington Memorial Stakes for his second stakes victory of the season.

5. Top Cowboy earned his first career stakes victory in the Grade 3 TQHA 550 Stakes.

6. Bludz Valiant Policy closed strongly to win the Miss Retama Stakes.

7. Baby Ruth held off a late challenge to win the TQHA 250 Stakes.

8. Wise Filly earned the first stakes victory of her career in the Jones Bloodstock Insurance Starter Stakes.