Percherón at Expo Prado 2025: the company's debut and a double championship
The creation of the Uruguayan Percheron Horse Breeders' Society marked a milestone at the 2025 Prado Rural Expo, attracting the attention of producers and the general public. A celebratory atmosphere reigned in the arena when a Thilau Ganadera stallion won the Grand Champion title, and the same herd presented the Grand Champion, an achievement the breeders describe as historic.
Ana Laura Camacho, president of the new association that joined the Rural Association of Uruguay, explained that the decision to formalize the partnership arose from the need to organize breeding and promote pedigree registration. Currently, six farms have joined, but the expectation is to add more animals and improve the breed's traceability.
Percheron and the new Society, objectives and structure
Camacho explained that the priority now is to increase the number of pedigree animals and consolidate promotional campaigns to increase the number of breeders in the country. He emphasized the importance of working together with the ARU (National Association of Breeders) and generating technical activities to improve genetic quality and open markets.
Juan Ache and the jury that defined the champions
The judge, Juan Ache, was in charge of evaluating the horses in the ring; his verdict was highly complimentary of the two great champions from Argentina. Ache, with international experience and training in various breeds, highlighted the conformation and racial character of the award-winning horses.
Cabañeros and the sector's reaction to the double
The breeders present celebrated the importance of Thilau Ganadera and acknowledged the interest the Percherons had generated among people who until now had only known them by name. According to the breeders, the exhibition also served to attract inquiries and potential new members of the society.
From tradition to the present, uses and size of the Percheron
The Percheron maintains its profile as a heavy draft horse, well suited for rural tasks, although today it is also used for trail riding and social activities due to its docility. Champion horses weigh over 1,000 kilos for males and around 800 kilos for mares; they can reach a height of 1.85 meters.
Market and regional comparison, Palermo's reference
In Uruguay, there is still no robust Percheron market with sustained prices due to the scarcity of pedigree specimens, but in the region, prices can be very high: at the recent Palermo Expo, a Grand Champion specimen sold for US$60,000, a figure that underscores the commercial potential.
Historical origin and future projection of the breed
The breed originates from Le Perche, France, and Percherons have been registered with the ARU since 1910; however, the formalization of the SCCPU aims to recover and enhance this tradition. The objectives include increasing the number of registered specimens, promoting events, and creating a more professional sales circuit.
Conclusion: The day at the Rural del Prado left a sense of concrete progress for Percheron breeders in Uruguay. The new association formally put a breed with a history and a promising future on the agenda, while the champions on the track served to highlight the genetic quality they are seeking to enhance.
