AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION—APRIL 2, 2021—Streakin Sin Tacha, the 2002 World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse, was euthanized due to the infirmities of old age on April 1, 2021, at the age of 23.

The bay gelding, bred by a partnership of L.R. Hayes and Steve VanBebber, is the all-time leading money earner by American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame stallion Streakin La Jolla, and is out of the Thoroughbred mare Sin Tacha, a daughter of Slew’s Royalty.

Streakin Sin Tacha made his racing debut on March 31, 2000, for owner George Temple, but was acquired in full by Steve before his third race start. He was owned by Janet VanBebber since October 2000 and trained by her through most of his career.

He won his first stakes race in his sixth career start, and did it in track record style when he won the $30,000 LQHBA Juvenile - Colts & Geldings Division, covering 350 yards in :17.450. Streakin Sin Tacha was third in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (G2) to close his freshman year.

As a sophomore, Streakin Sin Tacha won six of seven starts, including victories in the $86,100 Sam Houston Derby (G2) and $255,257 Texas Classic Derby (G1), with his only defeat being a late-rushing second place behind 2000 world champion A Ransom in the $300,000 The Championship at Sunland.

In his world champion year, Streakin Sin Tacha won the $60,500 Sam Houston Classic (G2), $87,750 Texas Championship Challenge (G1), $300,000 AQHA Challenge Championship (G1) and $350,000 The Championship at Sunland Park (G1), as well as finishing third in the Vinton Stakes and a troubled sixth in the Champion of Champions (G1).

He was named the champion aged gelding, champion aged horse, and shared the world champion title with Whosleavingwho.

Streakin Sin Tacha raced through 2005, including another Grade 1-placing in the 2003 Texas Championship Challenge (G1). He closed his career by winning the TQHA Sires’ Cup Stakes. He retired with a record of 27 career starts, including 16 victories, three seconds and three thirds, with earnings of $692,842. He also earned his racing Register of Merit, AQHA Superior Race Horse and AQHA Supreme Race Horse titles.

After his retirement, Streakin Sin Tacha enjoyed life and, for many years, was employed as the babysitter of weanlings, teaching them to be well behaved. He trained many future winners, including Grade 1 winner Ms First Prize Rose ($550,105), who was bred by Weetona Stanley and William Smith, sales prepped at James Ranch and is owned by AQHA Past Presidents Johnny Trotter and Dr. Glenn Blodgett.

Streakin Sin Tacha was buried alongside his three-quarter-sister, graded stakes winner Sin Tacha Perry ($115,123), at James Ranch at Wayne, Oklahoma, where he lived for many years.

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