The Cutting Horse Industry Mourns the Loss of Two Stallions

It's been a heartbreaking week in the world of cutting horses with the loss of both Smooth As A Cat and Crimson Bet.

Equine athletes are held in high regard by their owners, riders, and fans alike. This was no different for the 1999 son of the legendary High Brow Cat, Smooth As A Cat. To the ones close to him, he was affectionately known as “Tommy.”

This phenomenal stallion not only won over $500,000 himself in the cutting pen but went on to produce over $36 million so far. Tommy has been inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame as well as was even NCHA Horse of the Year. Tommy was unique in many ways, but he sired champions in reined cow horse and cutting, as well as being the only horse of the year to sire two open horses of the year.

Outside of the arena, he was well-loved in the breeding barn, the Weatherford breeding center, where he stood. He was a favorite amongst the workers known for always being a kind stallion. His owner, Manion Ranch, adores Tommy. Frequently pictured on social media were Kevin, Havey, and their son Layne, all surrounding Tommy. They even had Tommy wearing bunny ears for an easter picture.

“This horse is A UNICORN. I have no words. He was the sweetest horse that has ever walked the earth! The love that he shared with his people could not be described. I love you so much, buddy,” posted Havey Manion. 

Smooth As A Cat was not the only tragic loss the equine industry faced this weekend.

Texas A&M University sadly lost their young and newly acquired stallion, Crimson Bet. 

The stunning homozygous roan son of the great Metallic Cat was only 11 years old. He had won over $30,000 himself in the cutting pen and, with only a limited foal crop of competing age, had already produced money earners. 

This young, promising stallion was unique not only because he would only produce roan foals but also because his dam, Bet Yer Blue Boons, was a daughter of the late Freckles Playboy and had produced over $1.3 million. Crimson Bet had an incredible bloodline of old-school and modern cutting. 

“It is with very heavy hearts that we are sad to say due to complications with a rare entrapment and colic, Crimson Bet passed away yesterday,” posted Texas A&M on Crimson’s social media. “This handsome stallion had already made such an impact on the students and staff here; he is going to be greatly missed.”

Both phenomenal stallions are gone too soon. We know their greatness will shine through their sons and daughters in the arena.