Sandino Ruler: Another Talented Horse Making His Debut at the Rings with His Yearlings in 2025

The son of Roman Ruler, owned by Daniel Mautone and standing at La Mission Robles, has 37 foals from his first crop

The stature of Sandino Ruler: a great racehorse / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The immensely talented Sandino Ruler had a stellar campaign on Argentina's racetracks before transitioning to a stallion career at La Mission Robles, managed by Freddy Pont Lezica on Route 8.

Sired by Roman Ruler, the bay horse with a white blaze on his forehead is another stallion entering the sales rings in 2025 with his first yearlings, surrounded by the high expectations that always accompany top local bloodlines.

Sandino Ruler's racing record at San Isidro and Palermo is impressive. He raced 11 times, winning 8 and finishing second, third, and fourth in his other outings. His victories include wins in the Clásico Perú (G2), Clásico Italia (G3) (twice), Clásico Expressive Halo (L), and Clásico Invierno, excelling on both turf and dirt over distances ranging from 1600 meters to 2200 meters.

Additionally, he finished second behind Dalbornell (Don Valiente) in the Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz (G1) on the day of his retirement, and third in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), behind Village King (Campanologist) and Miriñaque (Hurricane Cat), two of the top performers of the time.

His local career was split into two phases, as between mid-2020 and early 2021, he competed in the United States, where he struggled to adapt to training, battling with his strong personality.

A descendant of the highly successful Mr. Prospector line through Fusaichi Pegasus and Roman Ruler, Sandino Rulerblends two of the most powerful sire lines in recent years in the country, with his dam being Virgin Vegas, a daughter of Tale of the Cat (by Storm Cat).

Sandino Ruler’s first crop consists of 37 foals (17 colts and 20 fillies), the majority owned by Mautone, but with additional foals bred at La Leyenda, El Arroyo, Marías del Sur, and several individual breeders. Among them are foals out of classic winners or stakes producers such as Doña Copada (Emperor Richard), Cry to Me (Cherokee Run) (who produced G3 winner Atrevido Cry (Remote)), Mirá Quien Viene (Manipulator), and others.

Sandino Ruler makes his debut in the sales rings in 2025, and like any Argentine-bred horse, the expectations are high, as is the enthusiasm from his supporters.