With unmatched velocity, coronary heart, and magnificence, Slick By Design left an indelible mark on barrel racing — a real legend whose legacy will proceed to encourage riders for generations.
Final week the barrel racing world misplaced considered one of its most influential sires and rivals with the surprising passing of Slick By Design, the smooth black stallion whose identify turned synonymous with velocity, precision, and legacy. His sudden loss of life from problems of laminitis left a void not solely within the stallion barn, but additionally throughout a whole trade that had come to treat him as considered one of its cornerstones. Though his bodily presence is gone, his impression is indelibly written into the lineage of recent efficiency horses.
Foaled in 2007, Slick By Design was bred for greatness. His sire, Designer Pink, introduced confirmed velocity and efficiency blood, whereas his dam, Goals Of Blue, descended from Dream On Dancer, making certain a robust basis of athleticism and disposition. The stallion’s jet-black coat and commanding presence made him a standout from his earliest days.
Past conformation and appears, Slick carried genetic energy that reassured breeders. He examined destructive for main heritable situations resembling HYPP, HERDA, GBED, PSSM1, MH, and IMM/MYHM. With this clear slate, he represented each efficiency and reliability, two qualities extremely wanted within the aggressive breeding trade.
Although destined for the breeding barn, Slick By Design first captured hearts within the area. Underneath the expert hand of barrel racing skilled Michele McLeod, he made a reputation for himself as one of the vital explosive rivals of his technology.
Slick was a three-time Nationwide Finals Rodeo qualifier, the place he carved his place in historical past by clocking a blazing 13.48 seconds, the quickest run ever recorded by a stallion on the NFR. His profession earnings exceeded $643,000, with titles together with the Fort Smith Derby Championship, 11 WPRA Rodeo Championships, and recognition as an AQHA Champion.
What set him aside was not simply his velocity but additionally his consistency and composure. Slick was recognized for coming into the world with focus and leaving it with followers buzzing about his outstanding athleticism. He wasn’t a horse that wanted to be coaxed; he thrived on competitors and appeared to grasp the highlight.
When his efficiency profession slowed, Slick seamlessly transitioned to life as a sire. His true reward to the trade was revealed right here. By the point of his passing, his offspring had earned greater than $7 million in competitors, making him the main barrel racing sire of all time.
His progeny proved versatile, excelling not solely in barrel racing but additionally in roping, pole bending, and different timed occasions. Among the many standout names are:
Slicks Lil Amigo, with earnings surpassing $350,000
Slick Lane Ta Fame, a serious cash earner with greater than $279,000
Slick N Black, surpassing $270,000 in winnings
Fiesta By Design, a futurity winner persevering with his sire’s custom of dominance
In all probability By Design, who crossed disciplines to change into a World Champion Choose Heading horse
These offspring not solely mirrored his genetic energy but additionally carried on his athleticism, aggressive coronary heart, and soundness.
Slick was additionally broadly promoted by main incentive applications such because the Pink Buckle, Ruby Buckle, Riata Buckle, Royal Crown, Diamond Basic, Future Fortunes, and Choose Stallion Stakes. This ensured his foals had entry to among the trade’s richest purses and alternatives, magnifying his affect on future generations.
Whereas statistics and bloodlines inform a part of his story, Slick By Design was equally recognized for his character. At roughly 15 fingers tall, he carried himself with a presence that commanded consideration however balanced it with an approachable, curious demeanor. These round him typically remarked on his intelligence. He was the kind of horse that wished to observe the spherical pen, comply with the motion, and by no means be overlooked of what was taking place across the barn.
Some memorable information embody:
He was nicknamed merely “Slick,” a moniker that turned iconic in its simplicity.
His lifetime breeding price was listed at round $3,100, an funding many breeders now take into account priceless given his affect.
He stood below the possession of Highpoint Efficiency Horses, run by Jason Martin and Charlie Cole, who helped handle his rise as each a competitor and sire.
His foals constantly demonstrated not solely velocity but additionally the flexibility to reach a number of rodeo disciplines, a testomony to his well-rounded talents.
Slick’s passing got here instantly, the results of problems of laminitis. Regardless of the most effective efforts of veterinary care, the problems proved deadly. The information unfold shortly throughout social media and trade shops, prompting an outpouring of tributes from professionals and followers alike.
For a lot of, the loss was private — even those that had by no means touched him felt related by his progeny or by the fun of watching him run. As one tribute expressed, “It’s unusual how a horse you by no means laid eyes on can have an effect on your life so tremendously.” His loss of life underscored how deeply he had change into interwoven with the tradition of recent barrel racing.
Whereas his stall stands empty, Slick By Design’s presence continues by his foals, his bloodlines, and the usual he set for the trade. His offspring proceed to gentle up arenas throughout the nation, carrying ahead his fireplace and shaping the following technology of champions.
Past his tangible successes, Slick additionally helped redefine the expectations of a stallion in competitors. He proved {that a} breeding stallion couldn’t solely stand at stud but additionally dominate on the highest ranges of sport. In doing so, he impressed breeders to hunt each athletic efficiency and long-term genetic affect.
At present, his identify seems in pedigrees which can be shaping the way forward for rodeo. He’s remembered not only for what he gained, however for what he gave again: a basis of excellence that the barrel racing world will construct upon for years to come back.
Slick By Design’s life was the story of a horse who fulfilled each promise of his pedigree after which exceeded it. From his groundbreaking area runs to the hundreds of thousands gained by his foals, he embodied the wedding of velocity, intelligence, and coronary heart. His loss of life was sudden and heartbreaking, however his affect endures in each colt that rounds a barrel together with his fireplace in its veins.
He was greater than a stallion, he was a phenomenon. And although the world won’t ever once more hear the thunder of his hooves, it is going to proceed to really feel the rhythm of his legacy each time considered one of his progeny crosses a end line.
Slick By Design, 2007–2025. Gone, however by no means forgotten.
