Top 10 Reined Cow Horse Sires of 2023

Take the agility, speed, and endurance required for cutting and reining and combine that for the athleticism needed for a reined cow horse. Breeding a horse that has all these attributes and can perform at the highest levels requires genetics that are proven in the sport. The top 10 reined cow horse sires of 2023 produce standout progeny with cow sense, athleticism, and a will to win.

With data pulled from QStallions, these are the top 10 AQHA reined cow horse stallions for 2023:

10. Once In A Blu Boon

Pedigree: Peptoboonsmal x Autumn Boon x Dual Pep

2024 Stud Fee: Private Treaty

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $316,564, 2014 AQHA Sr Cutting World Champion, NCHA Open Classic/Challenge Champion, West TX Open Classic Champion, Cattlemens Open Classic Champion, Brazos Bash Classic Champion, Chisholm Trail Classic Champion, Open Classic Champion at OKC Non-Pro Plus OPEN, Cotton Stakes Classic 3rd., 2013 Arbuckle Mtn Open Classic Champion, Cattlemens Open Classic Champion, Chisholm Trail Classic Champion, 2012 Brazos Bash Open Derby Reserve Champion, Chisholm Trail Derby Champion, Arbuckle Mtn 4-Year-Old Open Futurity Champion, Derby Open Champion at the OKC NON-PRO Plus OPEN, West TX Open Derby Reserve Champion, split 3rd at NCHA Open Derby, NCHA Open Futurity money earner

​Offspring Earnings: $317,541

Money Earners: 64

Offspring Incentives: Breeder’s Invitational, NCHA Super Stakes, NRCHA Stallion Stakes, Riata Buckle, Royal Crown, Gold Buckle

9. Metallic Rebel

Pedigree: Metallic Cat x Sweet Abra x Abrakadabracre

2024 Stud Fee: $6,000

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $438,315 2017 NCHA Horse of the Year, NCHA World Champion Stallion NCHA Hall of Fame, semi-finalist in the NCHA Open Futurity, 5th NCHA Open Derby, The Ike 4-Year-Old Open Futurity Champion, PCCHA Summer Open Derby Champion, finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes, 3rd Abilene Spectacular Open Derby, West Texas Open Derby Champion, 6th Breeders Inv. Open Derby, PCCHA 4-Year-Old Open Stakes Champion, 3rd Cotton Stakes Open Derby, 8th PCCHA Open Derby, Abilene Spectacular $25,000 Novice Derby Champion, finalist Brazos Bash & Bonanza Open Derbies, NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic Champion, Brazos Bash Open Classic Champion, 3rd NCHA Open Finals, NCHA Open Classic/Challenge Reserve Champion, Abilene Spectacular Classic Open Champion, PCCHA Fall Open Classic/Challenge Champion, 3rd Breeders Inv. Open Classic, PCCHA Summer Open Classic/Challenge Champion, split 3rd Bonanza Open Classic, PCCHA Summer Derby World Series of Cutting Open Reserve Champion, Arbuckle Mountain Open Classic Champion, West Texas Open Classic Reserve Champion, Idaho CHA Open Classic Co-Reserve Champion, finalist in The Ike Open Classic, 3rd El Rancho World Series of Cutting Open, split 3rd Idaho CHA World Series of Cutting Open, 4th El Rancho Open Classic, finalist Southern and Cattlemens Open Classics, 3rd NCHA Open Top Ten, PCCHA Open Top Ten

Offspring Earnings: $413,500

Money Earners: 45

Offspring Incentives: BVSS Super Stallion Incentive, Breeders Invitational, NCHA Super Stakes, NRCHA Stallion Stakes, Royal Crown Roping Incentive, Riata Buckle, and PCCHA

8. One Time Pepto

Pedigree: Peptoboonsmal x One Time Soon x Smart Little Lena

2024 Stud Fee: $4,250

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $331,097, 2004 Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Futurity, 2005 NCHA Open Super Stakes Champion, PCCHA 4-Year-Old Open Stakes Reserve Champion, 3rd Bonanza Open Derby, Finalist Augusta 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, 3rd Abilene Spectacular Open Derby, Suncoast Fall Open Derby Reserve Champion, 4th Western Horseman Cup Open Cutting, Top 10 Matt Gully Memorial Open Derby, 2006 Augusta Open Classic Champion, Abilene Spectacular Open Classic Champion

Offspring Earnings: $432,606

Money Earners: 108

No. 1 Money Earner: One Rockin Pepto | 2007 Gelding | One Time Pepto x Rockin Playgirl x Freckles Playboy | $230,626

Offspring Incentives: NCHA Super Stakes, Breeders Invitational, Bonanza Cutting, NRCHA Stakes, Riata Buckle

7. Dual Smart Rey

Pedigree: Dual Rey x The Smart Look x Smart Little Lena

2024 Stud Fee: $5,000

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $330,436, 2005 Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Futurity, 2006 NCHA Open Super Stakes Champion, 4th Abilene Spectacular Open Derby, Split 3rd Brazos Bash Open Derby, Top 10 PCCHA 4-Year-Old Open Stakes, Matt Gully Memorial Open Derby Reserve Champion, Finalist Music City Open Derby, AQHA World Champion Junior Cutting Horse, Bonanza Open Derby Champion, Finalist Breeders Inv. Open Derby, Finalist Augusta 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, Top 10 Western Horseman Cup Open Cutting, and Fort Worth Stock Show AQHA Junior Cutting Class Co-Champion

Offspring Earnings: $456,633

Money Earners: 51

No. 1 Money Earner: Hiss N Vinegar | 2015 Mare | Dual Smart Rey x Hissy Cat x High Brow Cat | $391,588

Offspring Incentives: BVSS Super Stallion Incentive, Breeders Invitational, NCHA Super Stakes, PCCHA, NRCHA Stallion Stakes

6. Kit Kat Sugar

Pedigree: High Brow Cat x Sugar N Dulce x Smart Little Richochet

2024 Stud Fee: $5,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $240,903, 2011 Finalist NCHA Open Futurity, 2012 NCHA Horse Of The Year, Bonanza Open Derby Champion, Cattlemens Open Derby Champion, Calgary Stampede Open Derby Champion, Finalist NCHA Open Derby, Southern Open Derby Champion, 3rd Idaho CHA World Series of Cutting Open Class, 7th El Rancho World Series of Cutting Open Class, NCHA Open Super Stakes Reserve Champion, Brazos Bash Open Derby Champion, El Rancho Open Derby Champion, Finalist Breeders Inv. Open Derby, Idaho CHA Open Derby Reserve Champion, Split 5th West Texas Open Derby, Top 10 Abilene Spectacular Open Derby

Offspring Earnings: $471,167

Money Earners: 25

No. 1 Money Earner: Scooter Cat | 2015 Stallion | Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey | $513,556

Offspring Incentives: NRCHA Stallion Stakes, NCHA Super Stakes, PCCHA Stakes, Breeders Invitational, Southern Futurity, Augusta Futurity, Gold Buckle Futurities, Kit Kat Sugar Bonus

5. Stevie Rey Von

Pedigree: Metallic Cat x Miss Ella Rey x Dual Rey

2024 Stud Fee: $9,000

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $420,903, 2015 NCHA Open Futurity Champion, Semi-Finalist NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, NCHA Limited Non-Pro Futurity Champion, 2016 AQHA World Champion Junior Cutting Horse, 3rd Abilene Spectacular Non-Pro Derby, West Texas Non-Pro Derby Champion, PCCHA Non-Pro Derby Reserve Champion, PCCHA 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Stakes Champion, 3rd Cotton Stakes Non-Pro Derby, Semi-Finalist NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes, Abilene Spectacular Open Derby Reserve Champion, 7th Breeders Inv. Non-Pro Derby, Finalist Breeders Inv. Open Derby, Finalist The Ike 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, 9th Brazos Bash Non-Pro Derby, Finalist NCHA Non-Pro Derby, 2017 Split 4th Bonanza Non-Pro Classic, Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic, 5th AQHA World Junior Cutting, Cattlemens Non-Pro Classic Co-Reserve Champion, State Fair of Texas Open Classic Champion, Finalist Arbuckle Mountain Open Classic, 2018 NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic Champion, 4th NCHA Open Classic/Challenge, 5th Arbuckle Mountain Open Classic, Cattlemens Open Classic Champion, West Texas Open Classic Champion

Offspring Earnings: $506,060

Money Earners: 69

No. 1 Money Earner: Janie Wood | 2018 Mare | Stevie Rey Von x Junie Wood x Nitas Wood | $311,771

Offspring Incentives: Breeder's Invitational, National Cutting Horse Association Super Stakes, National Reining Breeders Classic, NRCHA Stallion Stakes, Riata Buckle, PCCHA Stakes, Chrome Cash, Gold Buckle Futurity, IQHA Ranch Horse Futurity

4. Bet Hesa Cat

Pedigree: High Brow Cat x Bet Yer Blue Boons x Freckles Playboy

2024 Stud Fee: $4,000

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $272,151, 2010 Breeders Inv. Open Derby Reserve Champion, Split 5th Augusta 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, Congress Open Derby Champion, 3rd Tunica 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes, Breeders Inv. Derby Sire & Dam Incentive Open Reserve Champion, 2011 NCHA Open World Champion, 5th AQHA High Point Junior Cutting, 3rd NCHA Open Finals, Battle Saddle World Series of Cutting Open Class Reserve Champion, Houston World Series of Cutting Open Class Reserve Champion, 6th Breeders Inv. World Series of Cutting Open Class, Split 4th NCHA Eastern Nationals $3,000 Novice, Top 10 Southern Open Classic, Finalist NCHA Eastern Nationals Open, AQHA World Junior Cutting L2 Open Champion, NCHA Open World Champion Stallion, Tunica Open Classic Reserve Champion, Cotton Stakes Open Classic Champion, 4th AQHA World Junior Cutting, Finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic, Top 10 Congress Open Classic, Split 4th NCHA Eastern Nationals $10,000 Novice, Finalist Idaho CHA World Series of Cutting Open Class, NCHA Futurity Champions Cup 65+ Rider Open Reserve Champion, 2012 Tunica Open Classic Co-Reserve Champion, Augusta Open Classic Co-Reserve Champion, Finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic

Offspring Earnings: $529,109

Money Earners: 111

No. 1 Money Earner: Betchalou | 2013 Gelding | Bet Hesa Cat x Louella Again x Dual Pep | $381,218

Offspring Incentives: NCHA Super Stakes, Breeders Invitational, NRCHA Stallion Stakes, PCCHA Stakes, Augusta Futurity, Future Fortunes, Royal Crown, Riata Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Gold Buckle Futurities

3. Woody Be Tuff

Pedigree: Nitas Wood x Tuffs Junie x Tuff Lena

2024 Stud Fee: $6,500

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $351,063, 2004 Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Futurity, Semi-Finalist NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, 2005 NCHA $3,000 Novice Finals Champion, NCHA Finals $10,000 Novice Champion, Finalist Brazos Bash Non-Pro Derby, Finalist Memphis Cutting 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, Semi-Finalist NCHA Non-Pro Derby, Finalist Augusta 4-Year-Old Open Futurity, Top 10 Memphis Cutting 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Futurity, The Non-Pro Cutting $3,000 Novice Class Co-Reserve Champion, Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Derby, NCHA $3,000 Novice Top Ten, 2006 Cotton Stakes Non-Pro Classic Reserve Champion, Music City Open Classic Reserve Champion, Split 5th Memphis Cutting Non-Pro Classic, Finalist Brazos Bash Non-Pro Classic, 5th Ike Hamilton Open Classic, Top 10 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic, Bonanza Non-Pro Classic Co-Reserve Champion, Finalist NCHA Open Finals, Finalist Abilene Spectacular Open Classic, Finalist Southern Open Classic, 2007 Cotton Stakes Open Classic Champion, 3rd South Point Open Classic, South Point Winter Cutting Non-Pro Classic Champion, South Point Cutting Non-Pro Classic Reserve Champion, 7th Brazos Bash Non-Pro Classic, Finalist South Point Winter Open Classic, Finalist Augusta Non-Pro Classic, Semi-Finalist NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes Classic, Top 10 PCCHA 5/6-Year-Old Open Stakes, Augusta Open Classic Champion, Music City Cutting Non-Pro Classic Reserve Champion, Top 10 NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic, West Texas Open Classic Champion, 9th Brazos Bash Open Classic, Finalist Memphis Open Classic, Finalist Breeders Inv. Open Classic, Finalist PCCHA Non-Pro Classic/Challenge, NCHA Top Ten Open

Offspring Earnings: $531,565

Money Earners: 78

No. 1 Money Earner: Wood She B Magic | 2018 Mare | Woody Be Tuff x Magic Metallic x Metallic Cat | $325,139

2. WR This Cats Smart

Pedigree: High Brow Cat x The Smart Look x Smart Little Lena

2024 Stud Fee: Private Treaty

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $236,514, 2003 Split 3rd PCCHA Open Derby, San Diego CHA Open Derby Champion, Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Super Stakes, Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Derby, Finalist Suncoast Winter Open Derby, Split 6th PCCHA 4-Year-Old Open Stakes, 7th Northwest Ranch Festival Open Derby, Finalist Wine Country Open Derby, Finalist PCCHA Spring Open Derby, Finalist Suncoast Fall Open Derby, 2004 Suncoast Winter Open Classic Reserve Champion, 3rd PCCHA Summer Open Classic/Challenge, Semi-Finalist NCHA Open Classic/Challenge, Finalist Northwest Ranch Festival Open Classic, PCCHA Top Ten, 3rd Suncoast Fall Open Classic, Top 10 NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic, Finalist Wine Country Open Classic, Finalist PCCHA Summer 5/6-Year-Old Open Stakes, 2005 3rd NCHA Open Super Stakes Classic, 3rd Suncoast Fall Open Classic, 4th PCCHA Open Classic/Challenge, Del Mar Open Classic Reserve Champion, Finalist Breeders Inv. Open Classic, NCHA Top Ten, NCHA Open Finals Champion, PCCHA Spring Open Classic Champion, Northwest Ranch Festival Open Classic Champion, Top 10 PCCHA 5/6-Year-Old Open Stakes, PCCHA Open Champion

Offspring Earnings: $858,234

Money Earners: 93

No. 1 Money Earner: Shine Smarter | 2012 Mare | WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark | $347,810

Offspring Incentives: Breeders Invitational, NCHA Super Stakes, NRCHA Stallion Stakes, PCCHA Stakes, South Dakota RCHA Stallion Program, Gold Buckle Futurities

1. Metallic Cat

Pedigree: High Brow Cat x Chers Shadow x Peptoboonsmal

2024 Stud Fee: $10,000

Stallion Performance Record: LTE $637,711, NCHA Horse of the Year, NCHA Open Futurity Champion, NCHA Open Super Stakes Reserve Champion, NCHA Open Futurity Champion, Equi-Stat #1 Leading Cutting Money-Earner in All Divisions, NCHA Open Super Stakes Reserve Champion, Equi-Stat #1 Open Cutting Money-Earner, Breeders Invitational & Abilene Spectacular Open Derbies' Champion, 3rd NCHA Open Derby, Music City Open Derby Champion, Tunica 4-Year-Old Open Futurity Reserve Champion, NCHA Hall of Fame

Offspring Earnings: $1,276,822

Money Earners: 163

Offspring Incentives: NCHA Super Stakes, NRCHA, NRCHA Stallion Stakes, Breeder’s Invitational, PCCHA, Riata Buckle, Gold Buckle Futurities

Holding their own, three of the top 10 stallions of 2023 are at the top of the leaderboard for top stallions of all time.

1. Metallic Cat | Total Earnings: $7,370,011
2. WR This Cats Smart | Total Earnings: $5,825,448
3. One Time Pepto| Total Earnings: $5,197,488
4. Shining Spark | Total Earnings: $4,524,824
5. Smart Chic Olena | Total Earnings: $3,792,266

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