Luis Sabino Gonçalves & Gallaxia de Ferval Z Rise to Victory in the $60,000 HITS Grand Prix
The 2026 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit came to an electrifying close during the Ocala Championship, capped by Saturday’s $60,000 HITS Grand Prix on March 21. In a thrilling finale, Portugal’s Luis Sabino Gonçalves delivered a standout performance aboard Gallaxia de Ferval Z, rising to the top in unforgettable fashion.
A field of 29 elite horse-and-rider combinations took on a demanding track designed by renowned course builder Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER). With careful verticals, scope-testing oxers, and technical rollback turns throughout, the course required precision from start to finish. Fourteen duos advanced to the jump-off, setting the stage for a competitive race against the clock. When the dust settled, it was Sabino Gonçalves who produced the round that mattered most.
“I really didn’t expect to win, because there were so many clear rounds,” admitted Sabino Gonçalves. “My horses are young, and there were so many good riders and good horses in the class.”
Piloting two mounts into the jump-off, Sabino Gonçalves returned in the latter half of the order as rails began to fall. He delivered the first double-clear effort aboard Quicksilver C in 49.284 seconds, but the time was soon bested by Sharn Wordley (NZL), who stopped the clock in 47.657 seconds, raising the stakes further. As the last to return, all eyes turned to Gallaxia de Ferval Z, and Sabino Gonçalves rose to the occasion.
“I didn’t get to see Sharn go, but he was teasing me, telling me to ‘Go, go!’” laughed Sabino Gonçalves. “I told him he’s playing with fire!”
When Gallaxia de Ferval Z and Sabino Gonçalves raced through the timers and the clock showed 44.403 seconds, Wordley ended up having to settle for second aboard Hagelin, Della Wordley’s 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Stolzenberg x Stakkato). Sabino Gonçalves also secured third with his first ride, Quicksilver C, Stransky’s Mission Farms, Inc.’s 10-year-old German Warmblood gelding (Cicero Z van Paemel x Carthago).
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