Andrea Caudill photo.

The sophomore gelding earns the top honor after a dominating year.

American Quarter Horse Association, January 20, 2016 — Heza Dasha Fire swept through 2015 like a raging wildfire, and on January 20 was named the sport’s World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse, as well as champion 3-year-old and champion 3-year-old gelding.

A homebred racing for the Meneely family’s S-Quarter K LLC of Kennewick, Washington, Heza Dasha Fire was undefeated in five starts during the year. He began with a victory in the Golden State Derby (G2), followed by a win in the Los Alamitos Super Derby (G1). In a climactic finish on the year, the Jose Antonio Flores trainee took on both older horses and the classic 440-yard distance for the first time and won the Champion of Champions (G1) impressively. Ridden by Cruz Mendez in all his starts, he won every race by daylight and earned $726,432.

Sired by Walk Thru Fire and out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Dasha Freda, Heza Dasha Fire was also the champion 2-year-old gelding in 2014 and has a career record of 11 wins in 12 starts and career earnings of $1,689,388.

S-Quarter K also celebrates as the champion breeders, and his half-brother, Ima Fearless Hero, was named the champion 2-year-old gelding.

Two industry leaders were also recognized for their work in the industry over the past year.

Texas Quarter Horse Association Executive Director Val Clark was honored with the Mildred N. Vessels Special Achievement Award for her work in supporting the Texas horse industry and the racing industry as a whole. Clark is a huge ambassador, and her work affects everything from youth programs to Texas-bred race payouts to legislative efforts.

AQHA Past President Johnny Trotter was awarded the Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award. Trotter works tirelessly as one of the country’s largest feedlot owners, horse breeder, community leader and philanthropist. His many accomplishments in the industry, including his recent stint on the AQHA Executive Committee, has made the industry a better place.

AQHA News and information is a service of the American Quarter Horse Association. For more news and information, follow @AQHARacing on Twitter, “like” Q-Racing on Facebook, and visit www.aqharacing.com.

American Quarter Horse Association
1600 Quarter Horse Drive
Amarillo, TX 79104