Sparky Mullins' SM Country Snowman was laid to rest at his home Rafter SM Ranch in Wagoner, Oklahoma on Manday.

© Ginny Harding Painting

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

WAGONER, OK–AUGUST 28, 2025–Sparky Mullins’ world champion and champion sire SM Country Snowman, affectionately known as “The Snowman,” was laid to rest on Monday, August 25, 2025, at his home on Rafter SM Ranch.

Mullins recounted the heartbreaking moment. “Monday morning about 10 a.m. I noticed some of my mares staring toward the barn. When I went out, I found SM Country Snowman lying down, obviously hurt. He got up when he saw me, but it was clear something was seriously wrong. After checking him over, I discovered he had broken his shoulder. I buried him beside his sire, Country Quick Dash.”

Bred by Ronald Yates and James Skimbo, SM Country Snowman was purchased by Mullins within days of his birth. “I first saw Snowman as an eight-day-old foal, and I liked him so much that, since it was my wife’s birthday, I made the breeder an offer on the spot. I bought him for her as a birthday present. I took him and his mother home, weaned him at the ranch, and then sent his dam back,” Mullins said.

SM Country Snowman was sired by Country Quick Dash, one of the top five all-time leading APHA sires with more than $4 million in progeny earnings. He is out of Western Lineage, one of the top five leading dams, who produced nine stakes wins with over $530,000 in earnings.

Trained by Mullins, SM Country Snowman quickly established himself as a racing superstar, earning $269,747 from 24 starts. His record includes two APHA world champion titles, five APHA champion titles, and the #1 Honor Roll Stallion designation twice in just three seasons of racing.

SM Country Snowman shown winning the Speedhorse Graham P&A Derby-G1 on March 23, 2008. © Dustin Orona Photography

In 2007, as a two-year-old, he became the first APHA racehorse to earn over $150,000, capturing the PSBA American Paint Classic-RG1 and Graham Paint Futurity-G1. That season he was named world champion, collected two additional champion titles, and was recognized as the #1 Honor Roll Stallion.

Sparky Mullins with his family and winning connections of the Speedhorse Graham P&A Derby-G1 on March 23, 2008. © Dustin Orona Photography

In 2008, he became the first APHA racehorse to surpass $250,000 in career earnings, winning the Speedhorse Derby-RG1, Lewis Wartchow Memorial-G1, Cowboy Hall of Fame Handicap-G1, OHA P&A Derby-RG2, and Graham P&A Derby.

He added three more champion titles that year, including world champion, and once again was named #1 Honor Roll Stallion.

In 2009, while he did not win a stakes race, he placed third in the Cowboy Hall of Fame Handicap-G1 and the Mr Lewie Memorial, earning him the Champion Running Aged Stallion title.

Mullins fondly remembered those racing days. “The first jockeys to ride him said he was too lazy to run. But he went on to win five straight races at Remington Park that spring, including two stakes finals. He set the fastest qualifying time to every stakes race he ran trials for.”

Retired to stud in 2009, SM Country Snowman became one of only 14 APHA stallions to sire more than $1 million in lifetime earnings. His progeny record includes 105 wins, six stakes wins, 11 stakes placings, and $1,214,593 in total earnings, with an average of $16,200 per starter from 75 starters.

His standout offspring include two-time champion and three-time stakes winner Expressions N Snow ($103,292), champion Royal Snowman ($62,939), three-time champion Royal Country Grip ($52,033), and stakes performers Moores Rock Flash ($85,208), Honky Tonk Podie ($56,957) and If Ur Buyn Im Flyn ($54,691).

He also made an impact as a broodmare sire, with progeny earnings of more than $400,000, including 12 wins and 7 stakes placings from just 36 starters.

To Mullins and his family, “The Snowman” was more than a champion on the racetrack and in the breeding shed. “He meant so much to our family and will be greatly missed,” Mullins said. “He was truly an Iron Horse—racing and retiring completely sound. Thanks for all the great stories you wrote about him over the years.”

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