Paint racing generated much buzz and excitement last year—before these colorful racehorses hit the track for 2015, APHA is pleased to honor last year’s best performers. Cocked An Loaded and Texas Silk took home the year’s top titles of 2014 APHA Running World Champions.
The Running Champion awards are presented annually to Paint Horses that demonstrate athleticism on the racetrack. Selection is based on their level of competition, location, races won and earnings. Awards are presented in three age categories for both Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred Registry horses, and the winners are selected by the APHA Racing Committee. Canadian/International, Distance and Claiming Champions were also named, along with racing Honor Roll champions.
2014 World Champion Running Horse—Regular Registry
Cocked An Loaded fired down the track in 2014, capturing two wins and one second in nine starts; his total earnings were $26,643. Facing tough competition, the gelding won several futurity heats in the spring, earning his ROM and a speed index of 85. Bred by Wade Leggett of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and co-owned by Wade and Larry Steele of Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, the 2012 sorrel overo gelding is by Royal Quick Flash and out of Corona Lace.
2014 World Champion Running Horse—Solid Paint-Bred
Finishing the year as the No. 1 Paint racehorse by earnings, it’s no surprise that Texas Silk was named World Champion Solid Paint-Bred Running Horse of 2014. Charles Leggett of Muskogee, Oklahoma, owns the 2012 sorrel solid gelding, who is by Texas Six and out of Judys Silk. H.T. and Kay Churchwell of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, bred the gelding.
Collecting a record of five wins and one second in eight starts, Texas Silk earned a total of $189,917 in 2014—the most of any racehorse last year. The gelding also won three stakes races, taking home champion titles in the G1 American Paint Classic Futurity at Remington Park, the G1 Speedhorse Graham Paint & Appaloosa Futurity at Remington Park and the G1 Speedhorse Paint & Appaloosa Futurity at Fair Meadows. His best speed index was a 94.
Additional Honorees
APHA also recognizes individuals who contribute to the success of the breed’s running champions. Each year, the association honors the leading breeder, owner, trainer and jockey.
With the year’s top earner in his stable, it’s no surprise Charles Leggett of Muskogee, Oklahoma, took the title of 2014 Leading Owner. In addition to Texas Silk, Charles had Flashy Dos and CL Charlies Angel hit the track in 2014—his horses earned more than $219,000 on the track last year.
The Leading Breeder title for 2014 goes to H.T. and the late Kay Churchwell of Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Horses bred by the couple earned $262,353 in 2014—Churchwell-bred runners in 2014 included Texas Silk, Texas Streak, Fabulous Dos and Flash Of Silk.
For the fourth consecutive year, Dee Keener of Inola, Oklahoma, was named Paint racing’s Leading Trainer. Keener-trained horses captured $551,835 in earnings during 2014.
Berkley Packer took over as APHA’s Leading Jockey for 2014. The talented horseman piloted his mounts to total earnings worth $278,415 in 2014.
2014 Running Champions
Regular Registry
Champion 2-Year-Old & Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Cocked An Loaded
Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: PHQ Princess Stefanie
Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding: Ape Hanger
Champion 3-Year-Old & Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Aguascalientes
Champion 3-Year-Old Gelding: Royal Country Grip
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt: None Eligible
Champion Aged Horse & Champion Aged Stallion: Osage Spirit
Champion Aged Gelding: Wegos Lineage
Champion Aged Mare: None Eligible
No. 1 Honor Roll Stallion: Cocked An Loaded
No. 1 Honor Roll Mare: PHQ Princess Stefanie
No. 1 Honor Roll Gelding: Ape Hanger
Solid Paint-Bred Registry
Champion 2-Year-Old & Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding: Texas Silk
Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Miss Movin On
Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Panther Quick Flash
Champion 3-Year-Old & Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Purty Porunos
Champion 3-Year-Old Gelding: Call Him Awesome
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt: None Eligible
Champion Aged Horse & Champion Aged Gelding: Major Mac
Champion Aged Mare: Power Possum
Champion Aged Stallion: None Eligible
No. 1 Honor Roll Stallion: Panther Quick Flash
No. 1 Honor Roll Mare: Cashmere Queen
No. 1 Honor Roll Gelding: Texas Silk
Special Champions
Leading Breeder: H.T. & Kay Churchwell ($262,353)
Leading Owner: Charles Leggett ($219,004)
Leading Trainer: Dee Keener ($551,835)
Leading Jockey: Berkley Packer ($278,415)
Canadian Champion: Jerseylicious
Distance Champion: Surprised Again
Claiming Champion: Tiffanys Sparkle
Broodmare of the Year: Judys Silk
About Flash
Flash is an annual publication produced by the American Paint Horse Association that celebrates Paint Horses excelling in timed events—racing, barrel racing, roping, shooting and sorting/penning—along with the people who love them. Check out our free digital magazine at MyFlashyRide.com or pick up a printed copy of Flash at major events across the country. And check MyFlashyRide.com/news often for the latest news about fast, flashy Paints.