Corona Cartel Dies
Corona Cartel Dies
Corona Cartel is the sport's No. 2 all-time leading sire. PHOTO: Courtesy Lazy E Ranch
December 18, 2019 | Racing , Racing | Racing , Racing
Corona Cartel, 25, was euthanized on December 18, 2019, due to infirmities of old age.
The legendary stallion was bred by Robert Etchandy and was foaled on March 31, 1994. His sire, Holland Ease, was a son of First Down Dash, and he was the first foal out of champion runner and eventual American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame member Corona Chick.
Corona Cartel was purchased at the 1995 Vessels Schvaneveldt Sale as a yearling by Celina Molina, who sent the horse to trainer Jaime Gomez, who would guide the colt through his 14-race career.
Ridden by Eddie Garcia, Corona Cartel crossed the wire first in his racing debut on April 19, 1996, but was disqualified for interference. Two starts later, they would win the $180,000 Kindergarten Futurity (G2), and then at Ruidoso Downs, saddled by Carlos Lopez, he grabbed a win in the $184,640 All American Futurity Consolation. He then returned to Los Alamitos and won the Tiny’s Gay Handicap before capturing the $1,055,000 Los Alamitos Million Futurity (G1).
He would return as a sophomore to contest the Vandy’s Flash Handicap (G3) and PCQHRA Breeders’ Derby (RG2) before retiring from the racetrack with an official record of six wins and earnings of $557,142.
Molina chose Lazy E Ranch as the young stallion’s new home, and he would remain there for the rest of his life. There, they would develop him into American Quarter Horse racing’s No. 2 all-time leading sire, behind only First Down Dash on the list of top sires. In 2001, the stallion was syndicated.
At the time of his death, he had 1,862 foals registered from 21 crops, and progeny earnings of more than $62.8 million. He has sired 1,069 winners from 1,542 starters, and 179 stakes winners.
His single leading earner is also a world champion and the sport’s all-time leading distaffer, Blues Girl Too, who earned $2,032,328.
Other top runners include All American Futurity (G1) winner Teller Cartel ($1,212,471), Eye For Corona ($1,100,121), Five Bar Cartel ($1,068,825), Chazaq ($963,664), I Like The Odds ($991,606), PYC Paint Your Wagon ($889,581), KVN Corona ($868,077), Remember Me Rose ($820,895), Flying Fig ($806,920), Docs Best Card ($784,318), Uncle D ($682,965), Carters Cartel ($659,146), Big Lew ($638,878), Jess Macho Corona ($596,636), Ms First Prize Rose ($550,105), Fantastic Corona Jr ($541,896), BP Cartels Alibi ($537,441), Coronas First Diva ($496,377) and Time For A Cigar ($468,963), among many more.
He is one of the sport’s great sire of sires, with sons such as Agouti, Big Daddy Cartel, Big Lew, BV Travelin Soldier, Call Me Cole, Capo De Capi, Cartel Success, Cartels Feature, Carters Cartel, Corona B, Corona Silver, Corona Surfer, Coronado Cartel, Coronas Leaving You, Coronas Prospect, Cosino, Dale Badon, Dee Bam, Docs Best Card, Dragon Wings, Encore, Escondido Beach, Eye On Corona, Fantastic Corona Jr, Fast Prize Cartel, Fiftyshadezofgrey, Five Bar Cartel, Furyofthewind, Heart Of The Cartel, Highest Fire, Ivory James, Kiddy Up, KVN Corona, Lethal Corona, Little Corona, Majestic Cartel, Maxximuss, Mister Fulton, Mr Ease Cartel, Noe Cartel, One Famous Versace, Pappasito, Prime Talent, PYC Paint Your Wagon, Rip Tide, Special Royal Corona, Stel Corona, Streakin Six Cartel, Tee Cos, Teller Cartel, Texas Icon, The Louisiana Cartel and Undaunted.
He is also a leading broodmare sire, with more than $80 million in earnings. In 2019, he sits as the No. 2 leading broodmare sire with earnings in excess of $8.1 million.
Corona Cartel’s influence extends past the racetrack as well. He has sired horses that have won AQHA points in halter and performance. Among his progeny is Cartel Caliente, who earned the very rare honor of being an AQHA Open Supreme Champion, and he is also the sire of National Finals Rodeo barrel horse Rosas Cantina CC.
Corona Cartel was laid to rest at Lazy E Ranch.