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On Friday, November 10, Michael and Michelle Miola shared the somber news on their joint Facebook page that the revered Spooks Gotta Gun had departed the day prior. This distinguished stallion, sired by Grays Starlight and out of Katie Gun, had just achieved the significant milestone of crossing the NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire mark earlier that week.
In an emotionally charged Facebook post, the Miolas expressed their deep sorrow: “It is with great sadness and tears that I have to announce that our precious Spooks Gotta Gun passed away yesterday morning. He was so loved and cared for by everyone at Silver Spurs; it will not be the same without him.”
Bred by Eric Storey, Spooks Gotta Gun underwent a journey through various hands before finding a home with the current owner, Silver Spurs Equine, in 2010. During his illustrious show career, under the skilled guidance of Andrea Fappani, the stallion clinched a third-place finish in the Derby Level 4 Open at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby, earning $31,864. The duo later triumphed at the Derby Level 4 Open at Reining By The Bay, securing an additional $10,000. In total, Spooks Gotta Gun amassed $79,603 in the show pen, guided by NRHA Professionals Clint Haverty, Shawn Flarida, Abigayle Mixon, and Fappani.
With an impressive legacy of nearly 300 offspring boasting NRHA lifetime earnings, Spooks Gotta Gun's impact transcends his own accomplishments. Notably, he is the proud sire of the recent NRHA Hall of Fame inductee and Six Million Dollar Sire, Spooks Gotta Whiz. The latter, affectionately known as 'Baby,' played a pivotal role in propelling Spooks Gotta Gun to his first million, contributing almost $350,000 towards the sire’s offspring earnings.
Since surpassing the $2 million mark in 2018, Spooks Gotta Gun found a notable ambassador in Spooks Gotta Tinsel (Tinsel Tiara). Bred by Domingo Alvarado and owned by Lance Griffin, this 2018 stallion has emerged as a standout, amassing $120,960 in NRHA lifetime earnings since his show career commenced in 2021. A highlight came during The Run For A Million this year, where Francesco Martinotti guided the stallion to a remarkable 6th place finish in the Million Dollar Competition, earning a substantial check for $45,000.
Spooks Gotta Gun's top-earning offspring, including the renowned Spooks Gotta Whiz, Spooksgottachicolena, Oops Itsa Spooks, Spooks Gotta Tinsel, and Ifwhizswereguns, have left an indelible mark on the reining world, attesting to the stallion's enduring influence.
StallionCompare.com extends heartfelt condolences to all who cherished Spooks Gotta Gun. His legacy in the reining community is immeasurable, and we honor his remarkable life with the announcement of his distinguished achievement as an NRHA Three Million Dollar Sire.
