Top 10 Barrel Horse Sires of 2023

As 2023 has come and gone, there's no denying that this past year was filled with exhilarating barrel racing events. 

Millions of dollars were won nationwide in barrel racing, from rodeos to futurities to open jackpots. Trainers and jockeys spent countless hours hauling and entering their equine athletes. 

These incredible animals have the talent and grit that champions are made of, but it all started years ago when someone carefully chose a stallion to pair with their mare to create these champions. A lot of time, thought, money and hard work went into these horses before they were even born.

With data pulled from QStallions, these are the top 10 AQHA barrel racing stallions for 2023:

10. Epic Leader

Pedigree: Confederate Leader x Firewater Fiesta x Fire Water Flit

2024 Stud Fee: $6,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $171,080; 2011 BFA 4th in Juvenile Futurity, 2012 BFA Futurity Reserve Champion, 2012 BBR World Futurity Champion, 2012 LG Pro Classic Barrel Racing Slot Open Reserve Champion, 2012 BBR World Barrel Racing Open Slot Champion, 2012 Diamonds N Dirt Barrel Futurity 3rd, 2012 Cowboy Capital Barrel Racing Mar Open 1D Champion, 2012 Cowboy Capital Finals Barrel Futurity 1D Reserve Champion, 2012 Ecurie Drummond Barrel Racing Open 1D Champion, 2013 WPRA World Barrel Derby Reserve Champion

Offspring Earnings: $3,639,190

Money Earners: 137

No. 1 Money Earner: CP He Will Be Epic | 2015 Gelding | Epic Leader x Percilla x Dash Ta Fame | $629,253

Offspring Incentives: Riata Buckle, Pink Buckle, Breeders Challenge, Ruby Buckle, The Diamond Classic, Select Stallion Stakes, Future Fortunes, Tomorrow's Legends, Royal Crown, Triple Crown 100, Oklahoma-Bred Program, Legends Of The South Stallion Incentive Program

9. Aint Seen Nothin Yet

Pedigree: Frenchmans Guy x Smart N Famous x Dash Ta Fame

2024 Stud Fee: $3,500

Stallion Performance Record: N/A

Offspring Earnings: $3,522,463

Money Earners: 140

No. 1 Money Earner: Promise Me Fame Guys | 2016 Gelding | Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Bar Blue Lass x FC Aboo | $695,100

Offspring Incentives: Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Royal Crown Stallion Incentive, Triple Crown 100, Future Fortunes, Cornhusker Breeders Incentive, Gridiron Incentive, Select Stallion Stakes, Minnesota Breeders Incentive, Tomorrow's Legends, Breeders Challenge, Pro Elite Sire Incentive, Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association Stallion Incentive Program, Roping Futurities Of America Stallion Incentive, Blue Collar Breeders, Barrel Breeder's Incentive, Riata Buckle, Nexus Incentive, BRN4D, Colorado Classic Incentive, Barrel Racing Incentive Fund, Southwest Desert Classic, C Bar N Stallion Incentive, ASNY Stallion Incentive

8. Blazin Jetolena

Pedigree: Lenas Sugar Daddy x Blazin Jennie Jet x Jet Of Honor

2024 Stud Fee: Private Treaty

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $95,201; AQHA points: 10, 2003 Finalist BFA World Barrel Futurity, 2003 3rd Speedhorse Silver Cup Barrel Futurity, 2003 3rd Ardmore Barrel Futurity, 2003 American West Barrel Futurity 1D Champion, 2003 Washington Barrel Futurity Champion, 2003 Barrel of Gold Futurity Reserve Champion, 2003 Super Barrel Racing Weekend Open Futurity Reserve Champion, 2003 Beth Cooper Memorial Barrel Futurity Champion, 2003 3rd Fizz Bomb Classic Barrel Futurity, 2003 High Prairie Roundup Barrel Futurity Champion, 2003 Arizona Gold Barrel Futurity Champion, 2003 Southwest Classic Barrel Futurity 1D Champion, 2004 American West Barrel Finals Day 1 Open 1D Champion, 2004 American West Barrel Finals Bronze Open 1D Champion, 2004 Southwest Classic Barrel Derby 1D Reserve Champion, 2004 American West Barrel Finals Open Derby 1D Champion, 2004 American West Barrel Finals Slot Open 1D Reserve Champion, 2004 American West Central Barrel Racing Qualifier Maturity Open 1D Champion, 2005 Wrangler Tour Finalist Barrel Racing Day 3 Open 1D Champion, 2009 Fizz Bomb Classic Barrel Sweepstakes Open Champion, 2009 World Barrel Finals Mens Sidepot Open 1D Champion, 2009 Fizz Bomb Classic Barrel Racing Day 3 Open 1D Champion, 2010 Cowboy Capital Barrels Open 2D Champion, AQHA Open Perf. ROM, earning 5 barrel racing (L3), 5 pole bending (L3) points in open events

Offspring Earnings: $8,064,587

Money Earners: 338

No. 1 Money Earner: Jets Top Gun | 2015 Gelding | Blazin Jetolena x GL Famous First Lady x Dash Ta Fame | $584,994

Offspring Incentives: Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Select Stallion Stakes, Future Fortunes, WPRA Pro Elite Sire Incentive, Triple Crown 100, Hawki Futurity, C-N Barrel Futurity, Blue Collar Breeders, New Mexico Breeders' Futurity, Cowboy States Stallion Incentive, Top Shelf Breeders, SWDC, Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association Stallion Incentive Program, Tomorrow's Legends, Royal Crown Stallion Incentive, Breeders Challenge, and The Diamond Classic

7. A Streak Of Fling

Pedigree: Streakin Six x Moon Fling x Fast Fling

2024 Stud Fee: $6,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $27,645; SI-98; 3 race wins, 4 times second, 2 to 4. LTE $27,645. Finalist Blue Ribbon Derby [G3], qualified Blue Ribbon Futurity [G1].

Offspring Earnings: $9,416,629

Money Earners: 828

No. 1 Money Earner: Fame Fling N Bling | 2006 Mare | A Streak Of Fling x Short Penny x Dash Ta Fame | $779,964

Offspring Incentives: Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Future Fortunes, Triple Crown 100, Royal Crown Stallion Incentive, Breeders Challenge, Tomorrow's Legends, Select Stallion Stakes, Valley Girls Barrel Racing Association Stallion Incentive Program, Pro Elite Sire Incentive, Cornhusker Breeders Incentive, Minnesota Breeders Incentive, Southwest Desert Classic, Barrel Breeder's Incentive, Full House Stallion Incentive, Gridiron Incentive, Colorado Classic Incentive, Riata Buckle Roping, Medal Program Roping, Gold Buckle Futurities, The Diamond Classic, Home Grown Classic, Western Fortunes, Top Shelf Breeders

6. Slick By Design

Pedigree: Designer Red x Dreams Of Blue x Dream On Dancer

2024 Stud Fee: $3,000

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $626,962; AQHA/PRCA Barrel Racing Reserve Horse of The Year, 2011 BFA Spring Classic Barrel Futurity Round 2 Open 1D Champion, 2011 Ardmore Barrel Futurity Round 2 Open Champion, 2011 JB QH Barrel Futurity 1D Champion, 2011 ANHA Barrel Shoot-Out Finals Open 1D Reserve Champion, 2011 ANHA Barrel Shoot-Out Day 2 Open 1D Champion, 2011 ANHA Barrel Shoot-Out Day 3 Open 1D Reserve Champion, 2011 Cowboy Capital Barrel Futurity July Open 1D Champion, 2011 ANHA Barrel Shoot-Out Day 1 Open 1D Champion, 2011 Top 10 Cowboy Capital Barrel Racing July Open 1D, 2011 BFA Spring Classic Barrel Racing Open Slot Champion, 2011 BBR World Barrel Futurity Reserve Champion, 2011 Cowboy Capital Barrel Finals Futurity 1D Champion, 2011 JB QH Barrels Day 1 1D Champion, 2012 AQHA World Champion Junior Barrel Racing Horse, 2012 AQHA World Junior Barrel Racing L2 Open Champion, 2013 Old Fort Days Barrel Derby Champion, 2013 PRCA/WPRA NFR Rodeo Barrel Racing Round 7 Reserve Champion, 2013 Snake River Stampede PRCA/WPRA Rodeo Barrels Champion, 2013 Guymon Pioneer Days PRCA/WPRA Rodeo Barrels Champion, 2013 Pikes Peak Oregon Bust PRCA/WPRA Rodeo Barrels Champion, 2013 Black Hills Roundup PRCA/WPRA Rodeo Barrels Champion

Offspring Earnings: $6,617,495

Money Earners: 407

No. 1 Money Earner: Slicks Lil Amigo | 2014 Gelding | Slick By Design x Bough Chicka Wowow x Bully Bullion | $328,950

Offspring Incentives: Riata Buckle, Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Canadian Barrel Horse Incentive, Future Fortunes, Triple Crown 100, Select Stallion Stakes, Blue Collar Breeders, Valley Girls Barrel Racing Assn, Cowboy States Stallion Incentive, Western Fortunes, Colorado Classic Stallion Incentive, WPRA Pro Elite Sire Incentive, The Breeders Challenge Legends Of The South Stallion Incentive Program, Southwest Desert Classic, Tomorrow's Legends, The Diamond Classic

5. Eddie Stinson

Pedigree: Dash Ta Fame x Casino Lights x Sixarun

2024 Stud Fee: $5,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $200,016; SI-111; New Mexico High Point Aged Racing Stallion, 5 race wins, 4 times second, 4 thirds, 2 to 4.  WON Zia Derby [RG2], JJ's Shotglass S. [R], 2nd The Down Side Overnight S. [R], 3rd Jess Burner Memorial Handicap [RG1], James Isaac Hobbs S. [G2], New Mexico Classic Cup Champ [R]; Finalist New Mexico Classic Cup Champ [RG1], Mesilla Valley Speed Handicap [RG2], Galobar Stakes

Offspring Earnings: $7,919,444

Money Earners: 330

No. 1 Money Earner: TNR WannaSeeMyCanCan | 2019 Mare | Eddie Stinson x Chase This Ivory x Ivory James | $501,763

Offspring Incentives: Breeders Challenge, Ruby Buckle, Future Fortunes, Select Stallion Stakes, Blue Collar Breeders, Royal Crown, Triple Crown 100, TQHA and Colorado Classic.

4. JL Dash Ta Heaven

Pedigree: Dash Ta Fame x Dynas Plain Special x Special Feelins

2024 Stud Fee: $7,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $211,969; AQHA points 88, 2009 AQHA World Champion Junior Pole Bending Horse, 2009 3rd Congress Junior Pole Bending, 2009 Finalist BFA World Barrel Futurity, 2009 Finalist Old Fort Days Barrel Futurity, 2009 WPRA World Barrel Futurity 1D Champion, 2009 Finalist WPRA Top 10 Barrel Futurity 2D, 2010 Old Fort Days Barrel Derby Champion, 2010 Congress Open Barrel Sweepstakes Reserve Champion, 2010 BOE KELLOGG Benefit Barrel Racing Open 1D Champion, 2010 LG Pro Classic Barrel Derby Round 2 Open Reserve Champion, 2010 PacWest Barrel Racing Tour May Average Open 1D Champion, 2010 Cowboy Capital Barrel Racing Mar Average Open 1D Champion, 2010 WIN-MORE Barrel Racing April Futurity Sidepot Open 1D Champion, 2010 WIN-MORE Barrel Racing April Adult 1D Champion, 2010 Dixie National Stock Show AQHA Judge 3 Junior Barrel Racing Champion, 2010 Dixie National Stock Show AQHA Judge 1 Junior Barrel Racing Champion, 2010 Dixie National Stock Show AQHA Judge 2 Junior Pole Bending Class Reserve Champion, 2010 AQHA High Point Junior Barrel Racing Leader, 2010 AQHA High Point Barrel Racing Stallion, 2010 Cowboy Capital Finals Barrel Derby 1D Champion, 2010 JB QH Barrel Derby 1D Champion

Offspring Earnings: $7,773,019

Money Earners: 245

No. 1 Money Earner: KL Touch Of Heaven | 2018 Gelding | JL Dash Ta Heaven x Junior Country Girl x Deep Note Jr | $549,233

Offspring Incentives: Ruby Buckle, Breeders Challenge, Future Fortunes, Triple Crown 100, Colorado Classic Incentive, Select Stallion Stakes, Whitmire Ranch Incentive

3. Tres Seis

Pedigree: Sixarun x Our Third Delight x Reb's Policy (Tb)

2024 Stud Fee: $9,800

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $856,901; SI-97; Champion Racing 2-Year-Old Colt, 6 race wins, 3 times 2nd, 3 thirds in 12 starts, to 3. WON Golden State Futurity [G1], 2nd All American Futurity [G1], All American Derby [G1], Rainbow Derby [G1], 3rd Los Alamitos Million Futurity [G1].

Offspring Earnings: $6,550,461

Money Earners: 140

No. 1 Money Earner: Tres Chasin Babe PZ | 2019 Mare | Tres Seis x Babe On The Chase x Chasin Firewater | $525,839

Offspring Incentives: Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Future Fortunes, Select Stallion Stakes, TQHA

2. The Goodbye Lane

Pedigree: Lanes Leinster x Swift Goodbye x Dash Ta Fame

2024 Stud Fee: $9,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $8,337; SI-101 4 race wins, 2 seconds, 5 thirds, 3 to 4. EARNED $6,670. Finalist Diamond Classic Derby [R]. 2021 Pink Buckle Barrel Racing Round 1 Youth 3D Reserve Champion.

Offspring Earnings: $7,247,512

Money Earners: 191

No. 1 Money Earner: Hello Stella | 2017 Mare | The Goodbye Lane x Go Go Fame x Dash Ta Fame | $868,583

Offspring Incentives: Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Valley Girls Barrel Racing Assn., Future Fortunes, C-N Barrel Futurity, Colorado Classic Stallion Incentive, Southwest Desert Classic

1. Dash Ta Fame

Pedigree: First Down Dash x Sudden Fame x Tiny's Gay

2024 Stud Fee: $5,500 (ICSI Only)

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $290,812; SI-113; 7 race wins, 1 second, 3 thirds in 13 starts, to 3. WON Golden State Futurity [G1], El Primero Del Ano Derby [G1], Vandy's Flash H. [G3], 2nd Dash For Cash Futurity [G1], 3rd QHBC Champ Classic [G1]; Finalist California Derby [R], Governor's Cup Derby [RG1]. Set NTR [LA] 400y in 19.62, set NTR [HOL] 400y in 19.65, set NTR [HOL] 400y in 19.65, set NTR [LA] 400y in 19.67, set NTR [LA] 400y in 20.02, set NTR [LA] 400y in 20.08, set NTR [HOL] 440y in 21.66

Offspring Earnings: $32,899,291

Money Earners: 1,670

No. 1 Money Earner: Famous Lil Jet | 2014 Gelding | Dash Ta Fame x Blazin Black Beauty x Blazin Jetolena | $1,198,318

Offspring Incentives: Royal Crown, Barrel Breeders Incentive, Minnesota Futurity, Texas A&M Legends, Select Stallion Stakes, WPRA Pro Elite Sire Incentive, JJ Classic, Cornhusker Futurity & Derby, BIF, Colorado Classic, C-N Classic, Better Barrel Races, Gridiron Futurity, Southwest Desert Classic, VGBRA, Cowboy State Stallion Incentive.

2023 saw some incredible barrel horse stallions, but the ones with staying power deserve recognition.

Here are the top five all-time barrel racing stallions:

1. Dash Ta Fame | Total Earnings: $32,822,632
2. Frenchmans Guy | Total Earnings: $12,918,716
4. A Streak Of Fling | Total Earnings: $9,149,565
4. Blazin Jetolena | Total Earnings: $8,312,218
5. Eddie Stinson | Total Earnings: $8,312,218

For the most up-to-date stallion data, refer to QStallions.com. All information for this article was pulled on Jan. 1, 2023.