Specialties:
- A native from Brazil, José DeCamargo is established in Kentucky since 1990.
- He started his venture in USA importing racehorses to California in 1988, sponsored by The Brazilian Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, in order to fund the purchase of broodmares and weanling fillies at Kentucky sales to export them to South America.
- José graduated in Animal Science at Rio de Janeiro University and was at an Epsom Derby for first time in1973 attended his first horse auction at Newmarket and Deauville in 1974 and had his practical internship in Normandy (Haras de Reux and Haras du Pin), in Newmarket (Clive Brittain and Gavin Pritchard-Gordon) and in Newbury (Wantage Stud) 1978-1979 with training experience at Belmont Park in 1982 under Angel Penna Sr.’s tutelage.
Expertise
- Trained 14 Stakes Horses at Cidade Jardim Racetrack in São Paulo 1984-87 including Champions COMODISTA(Brz) and BENEDETTA(Brz) besides Gr1 SW COME TOGETHER(Brz)
- Pioneered stallion shuttling to South America in 1991 with FAST GOLD, encouraged by Johnny Jones Sr. at Walmac Farm and established a Southern Hemisphere breeding program in Lexington.
Stallions shuttled included BERNSTEIN to Arg. with Castletonlyons, CANDY STRIPES to Arg. with Taylor Made, GILDED TIME to Brz. with Vinery, INCLUDE to Arg. with Airdrie, MARK OF ESTEEM to Brz. With Darley, ORPEN to Arg. with Coolmore, PURE PRIZE to Arg. with Vinery, ROAR to Arg. with Lane’s End, ROY to Arg. and Brz. With Darby Dan , and SALT LAKE to Argentina with Walmac;
- Organized several educational trips for Kentucky breeders, trainers and agents to improve liaisons with South American breeders and to enhance Argentinean and Brazilian bloodstock.
- To upgrade South American broodmare stock, José facilitated the purchase of 600+ broodmares, yearlings and weanlings at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton Sales with an important number becoming dams of graded stakes winners and champions.
Successes
- Purchased and exported champion stallions and leading sires to South America, including CHOCTAW RIDGE, in Brz., DODGE, in Brz., ECCLESIASTIC, in Uru., FORTIFY, in Arg., MOGADOR, in Uru., OUR CAPTAIN WILLIE, in Brz., PIONEERING, in Brz., PLICCK, in Uru., PUBLIC PURSE, in Brz., ROBIN THE PINS, in Uru., SPEND A BUCK, in Brz., and STUKA in Chile.
- Managed racing careers of:
- HI HAPPY(Arg) Gr1 SW in USA trained by Todd Pletcher 2018-2019
- VILLAGE KING(Arg) Gr2 SP also with Todd Pletcher 2019
- VERRUMA(Brz) Gr3 SW trained by Angel Penna Jr.
- INDIAN CHRIS(Brz) Gr3 SW trained by Ronald McAnnaly
- CURITIBA Gr2 SP trained by Ronald McAnnaly
- PAVILLON(Brz) Gr3 SW trained by Martin Wolfson
- MORYBA(Brz) Gr2 SP trained by Bill Mott
- GINO’S SPIRIT(GB) listed SW trained by Elliott Walden
- FLY BORBOLETA GR2 SP trained by Elliott Walden
- Raced in partnership
- Champion 3yo FARDA AMIGA winner of Kentucky Oaks and Gr1 Alabama Stakes also 2nd Breeder’s Cup Distaff, Gr1
- STARINE (Fr) winner of Gr1 Breeder’s Cup F & M Turf,
- ROCKING TRICK(Arg) Gr1 SW in Argentina with Johnny T.L. Jones
- Bred in partnership and foaled RIO DE LA PLATA(KY) winner of Gr1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Gr1 Pr Roma besides 8 times Gr1 SP
- Horses purchased at Keeneland include but not limited to:
- FARDA AMIGA, Champion 3yo filly in USA
- QUERO QUERO, Gr2 SW in USA
- FLY BORBOLETA, Gr2 SP in USA
- NEW REAL DEAL, Champion mare in Argentina
- CLAUSEN EXPORT, Champion Sprinter in Brazil
- CURITIBA, Unbeaten Gr2 SW in Brazil
- BANDEIRA NATIVA, Gr1 SW in Brazil
- SPA FRANCORCHAMPS, Gr1 SP in Brazil
- BEAUTY FREAK, Gr1 SP in Brazil
- SECRET HUNTER, Gr1 SP in Brazil
- LADY GULCH, Gr1 SP in Brazil
- A BRUYERE, Gr2 SW in Argentina
- WIDOWHOOD, Gr2 SW in Brazil etc
José DeCamargo is proud parent to three successful children, Isabel, Luiza, and Francisco. He has two grandchildren and is waiting on a third. He lives on Santa Escolástica Farm with his beautiful wife and anchor, Ana Livia.