One of the rising stars of Brazilian racing has died of his injuries after a heavy fall during a race on Sunday. Leandro Henrique, who was 27, had enjoyed a meteoric rise up the jockey ranks in Brazil. He had ridden more than 1,000 winners and was in second place in the 2026 championship with 15 victories.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Henrique began riding at the age of nine and by the time he was 14 he was already competing in races, soon moving to Rio de Janeiro. As an apprentice he won his first race at Gávea in June 2015 and after his first full year riding at Brazil's main racetrack he finished top of the standings, by then aged just 16. It was the first time a member of Brazil's jockey academy had won the championship.
He gained his first Grade 1 success in the Derby Brasiliero on Emperor Roderic, the first of several top level successes for the rider.
Grande Prêmio Brasil Victory and Apology
In 2025 after becoming a father for the first time, he won Brazil's biggest race the Grande Premio Brasil on Sinsel in June. The race went viral after Henrique, still 50m from the winning post and only marginally in front of his rivals, decided to stand up in the irons and celebrate. He hung there, facing the crowd, with his right arm outstretched for three strides before he turned to the front just as they reached the line. Fortunately for the jockey the photo-finish showed Sinsel's nose came down just ahead of runner-up Valparaiso.
An apologetic Henrique told Jockey Club Brasileiro: “I didn't see the horse on the inside, I was just caught up in the moment and celebrating because I have dreamed about winning this race and also my daughter is arriving soon. I am very happy but I am very relieved. I want to apologise to Mr Esteves and to the owners, Stud Red Rafa. This will never happen again.”
Death and Legacy
The Brazil Jockey Club reported on Wednesday: “Jockey Leandro Henrique passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, August 19th, at the age of 27. Leandro had been hospitalized since Sunday, August 16, after suffering a fall during the second race of the Jockey Club Brasileiro's program. Promptly attended to by the medical team on the track, he was taken to Miguel Couto Hospital and, on Tuesday, transferred to Casa de Saúde São José, in Humaitá, where he remained under medical care.”
The statement added: “Leandro leaves behind a remarkable legacy in Brazilian horse racing and a profound void among family, friends, professionals, and admirers of the sport. The Brazilian Jockey Club, in mourning, expresses its deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with Victoria, Manoela, family and friends of Leandro Henrique during this time of immense grief.”
