Two influential stallions have reached an elite benchmark in the reining industry, as Inferno Sixty Six and Colonels Shining Gun each surpass $5 million in NRHA progeny earnings. Their achievements reflect not only the strength of proven bloodlines, but also the critical role of the NRHA Futurity®, the sport’s most prestigious and lucrative event, in shaping stallion legacies and driving the future of the industry.
Each year, the NRHA Futurity distributes millions of dollars in prize money and serves as the ultimate proving ground for young horses, riders, and the sires behind them. Success under the pressure and depth of competition found at the Futurity often defines breeding trends for years to come—making milestones reached on this stage particularly meaningful.
Inferno Sixty Six
Inferno Sixty Six, a 2012-born stallion, continues to blaze a trail in the reining world, officially crossing the $5 million milestone and securing his place among the sport’s most impactful sires. Bred by Hilldale Farm and nominated by Domenico Lomuto, he is the result of a legendary pairing between two NRHA Hall of Famers—Gunnatrashya and Snip O Gun. Owned by Slide or Die LLC, Inferno Sixty Six has demonstrated remarkable consistency through 378 NRHA money-earning offspring whose success spans all levels of competition.
Inferno Sixty Six’s rise toward the $5 million mark was highlighted at the 2024 NRHA Futurity® & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships, where NRHA Professional Kaci O’Rourke and The Firemen (Inferno Sixty Six x Redhot Walla) delivered a championship performance. The duo captured both the MS Diamonds Level 4 Open Futurity Championship and the Level 3 Open Futurity Championship, contributing to more than $425,000 in earnings during 2024 alone.
The milestone was officially surpassed at the 2025 NRHA Open Futurity Finals, when TR Git R Done (Inferno Sixty Six x Whizzen For Chex), owned by Triple R Equine LLC and ridden by Gabriel Borges, marked a 226.5 to split second place and earn $130,000. Additional earnings were added by Craig Schmersal and Steamy Dream (Inferno Sixty Six x Thischichasbigdreams), owned by Diamond Creek Ranch, who secured $25,000 in the Finals.
Recognized for their explosive athleticism, consistency, and trainability, Inferno Sixty Six’s offspring continue to excel under the pressure of elite competition. Their success at the NRHA Futurity and other premier events has established Inferno Sixty Six as a cornerstone sire in modern reining breeding programs.
Highest-Earning Offspring of Inferno Sixty Six
• The Firemen (x Redhot Walla), owned by Peter Morgan – $465,623
• Inferno Thirty Five (x Madeof Pure Spangled), owned by Paul Simonson – $285,290
• Winding Inferno (x Windher Up Chic), owned by Diane Yoder – $219,121
• Surprising Sixty Six (x Dun With Surprizes), owned by Janiene Borror – $206,500
• Gangsta Sixtysix (x Rush N Cat), owned by Sacromonte Quarter Horses – $173,099
• TR Git R Done (x Whizzen For Chex), owned by Triple R Equine LLC – $162,495
• FS Inferno (x FS Smart Doc Chic), owned by Gilberto Leal – $144,431
• Girlz On Fire (x Gotta Git Ya Dun), owned by Monica Hicks Mathison – $115,709
• Bringnthaheat (x Tackie Dreams), owned by Abby Lengel Page – $115,325
• Surprise 66 (x Cowgirl In A Benz), owned by Travis Pufpaff – $83,576
Colonels Shining Gun
While Inferno Sixty Six exemplifies the rise of modern reining bloodlines, Colonels Shining Gun, known in the barn as Jojo, represents enduring influence through versatility and global success. The 2007-born stallion has now joined the elite ranks of NRHA $5 Million Sires, further cementing his legacy within the industry.
Sired by NRHA Hall of Fame inductee Gunner and out of Shining Little Peach, Colonels Shining Gun was bred by Trend Horses LLC and is owned by Katarzyna Roleska. His own NRHA lifetime earnings of nearly $113,000 include major international achievements, highlighted by the 2014 NRHA European Level 4 Open Derby Championship with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Cira Baeck and a team silver medal for Belgium at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.
That success has translated powerfully through his offspring. More than 450 of Colonels Shining Gun’s progeny are NRHA money earners, with additional earnings across ranch, roping, reined cow horse, and cutting. This cross-discipline success underscores Jojo’s reputation as a sire of versatility and durability.
At the 2025 NRHA Futurity®, Colonels Shining Gun’s offspring once again proved their competitiveness on the sport’s biggest stage. Martin Muehlstaetter rode Chex Shining (Colonels Shining Gun x Snip O Chex) for owner Jamie Walters to earn $25,000 in the Level 4 Open Finals. Across all Open divisions, Colonels Shining Gun offspring earned nearly $200,000 in the Finals alone, reinforcing his continued relevance within the Futurity’s high-stakes environment.
Through consistent success at the NRHA Futurity and beyond, Colonels Shining Gun has established himself as a foundational sire whose influence reaches across disciplines and continents. As his progeny continue to perform at the highest levels, his legacy remains firmly woven into the fabric of the reining industry.
Top-Earning Offspring of Colonels Shining Gun
• Plus Me Im Shiny (x Plus One Chex) – $303,394 NRHA LTE
• Hosss (x Brennas Dream) – $262,227 NRHA LTE
• Wish I Was Yours (x Whizzen For Chex) – $151,502 NRHA LTE
• HS Marshal (x Dun Its Dirty Secret) – $121,555 NRHA LTE
• CSG Wisemanfear (x Tejana Chic) – $101,593 NRHA LTE
• I Got Ur Back (x A Shining Sidekick) – $101,142 NRHA LTE
By NRHA Press Release
