The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association Hall-of-Fame showcases the many horses and people who have earned the distinction of becoming part of Quarter Horse Racing history in Louisiana. To be part of the Hall-of-Fame, horses and people must have been outstanding over a period of years in a variety of categories. They must have brought exceptional visibility and/or contribution to Quarter Horse Racing and the State of Louisiana.
Hall-of-Fame inductees are chosen each year by a selection committee and are honored at the annual LQHBA Awards Banquet. The inaugural inductee class were announced in January 2016. On April 9, 2016, Leverne Perry and Claude and Bessie Lea Jeane, Oh Black Magic, Rocket's Magic and Royal Bushwhacker were inducted into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) inaugural Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the association. Owner-breeder Claude W. Boutte, Jr. and Grade 1 winner and industry leading sire Feature Mr Jess were inducted in 2021.
Outstanding Louisiana Quarter Horse trainer Phillip Calais, Sr. and iconic stallion Heza Fast Dash will be honored in the 2022 class.
A special thank you to Martha Claussen for research and writing bios and to Speedhorse and TRACK magazines for helping track down photos of these inductees from their archives.
The inductees have each played a significant role in Louisiana Quarter Horse industry. Inductees into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association Hall-of-Fame are:
PEOPLE
HORSES
Below are photos of Hall of Fame members inducted in 2024. Click their photo or name in the left toolbar to read their biographical information. To view previous Hall-of-Fame member bios click on "PEOPLE" or "HORSES" in the left tool bar.
SIR RUNAWAY DASH
Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2024
Sir Runaway Dash
Graded stakes-placed Quarter Horse and prolific stallion Sir Runaway Dash is this year’s inductee into the LQHBA Hall of Fame. The striking gray son of First Down Dash was the pride and joy of Stephen Tate and the entire team at Tate Farms in Ville Platte, Louisiana where he stood from 2009 through 2018.
Tate, like so many breeders, are astute followers of horses in their racing careers, and Sir Runaway Dash was a standout. Bred by Lucas Racing, Inc., the brother to World Champion Wave Carver and two-time champion Ocean Runaway, made 19 starts at Los Alamitos in California for acclaimed AQHA champion trainer Paul Jones.
"His breeding was impeccable," said Jones. "He was very sound with a good temperament; an all- around really nice horse."
The Maryland-bred made just three starts as a 2-year-old, with Jones citing Sir Runaway Dash as a late-maturing runner. He was second in the Golden State Derby(G1), and finalist in the Governor’s Cup Derby(G2) and First Down Dash Handicap(G3). He made his final start on January 31, 2009, completing his career with a record of 19-4-5-3 and earnings of $120,706.
Acquiring Sir Runaway Dash was a high priority for Tate, who watched each of his starts and was able to reach an agreement with the four owners in a relatively uncomplicated process.
"Pedigree was a big deal," stated Tate. "And the way he finished in the last 50 yards in his races. To me, watching him go into overdrive was impressive. We wanted a stallion who could produce runners capable of competing in the biggest race in Louisiana (the LQHBA Louisiana Million) at 400 yards.
Sir Runaway Dash covered 40 mares his first year standing in Louisiana and Tate’s vision was quickly realized as his offspring Perrys Runaway and T Boy C qualified for the 2012 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity, running third and fourth behind Open Me a Corona in the final.
His prowess as a stallion was clearly not a fluke as just two years later, Sir Runaway Dash sired his first of two LQHBA Louisiana Million Champions. His first winner in the LQHBA Louisiana Million came in 2014 with Jls Dashn and Zoomn, who also won the 2015 Mardi Gras Derby and earned $534,505. Two years later, Sir Runaway Dash sired his second winner in the prestigious race when Tf Racee Runaway($536,586), won by a neck.
Both victories meant a lot to Tate, but he and his father Steve, his dad, Steve, really liked Tf Racee Runaway by the Streakin La Jolla mare Racee Rainbows and bought him back for $8,000 in the 2015 LQHBA Yearling Sale.
Sir Runaway Dash joins an elite group of stallions, including Mr Jess Perry, Streakin La Jolla, Game Patriot and Dashing Val whose offspring have won multiple winners of the LQHBA Louisiana Million.
Sir Runaway Dash sired 252 winners, with progeny earnings in excess of $12 million. His top performers include Tf Racee Runaway SI 104 ($536,586, Louisiana QHBA Futurity-RG1, etc.), Jls Dashn and Zoomn SI 105 ($534,505, Louisiana QHBA Futurity-RG1, etc.), Runaway Second Down SI 103 ($432,076), Lee Berwick Futurity-RG1, etc.), Sir Louisiana Dash SI 106 ($406,715, Laddie Futurity-RG2, etc.), Sir Runaway Cash SI 103 ($331,404, LQHBA Sale Futurity-RG1, etc.) and Jrs Taylors Runaway SI 102 ($313,154, LQHBA Sale Futurity-RG1).
Sadly in 2018, Sir Runaway Dash was diagnosed with cancer and spent seven weeks undergoing radiation treatment at Missouri State University.
"I spoke with the vet every day and was prepared to pick him up and bring him home," explained Tate. "However, he had a set back and I was never able to pick him up. He died on October 20, 2018, at the age of 14, following colic surgery.
"Losing him was devastating," acknowledged Tate.
The success of Sir Runaway Dash propelled Tate Farms to become one of the top breeders in Louisiana. His stall remains as is with the current stallion roster of One Dashing Eagle, One Sweet Jess, Rip Tide, Stevie B First Cash, Heza Fast Rogue, Five Bar Cartel and El Camino Cl producing their share of quality Louisiana-bred prospects.
Sir Runaway Dash was cremated and his urn, surrounded by trophies and photos, stands proudly on the mantle of Tate’s home.
"He was the horse that made us," proudly acknowledged Tate.
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