On Friday, November 10, Michael and Michelle Miola announced on their joint Facebook page that Spooks Gotta Gun had passed the day before.
“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,” the Facebook post stated.
Before retiring to stud, the stunning bay overo stallion earned $81,638 in the show pen under EquiStat Elite $8 Million Rider Andrea Fappani. He was by Greys Starlight and out of Katie Gun (by John Gun). During his show career Fappani rode him to a third place finish in the Derby Level 4 Open at the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby, garnering $31,864. The next month the pair won the Derby Level 4 Open at Reining By The Bay, winning $10,000.
As show purses rose, the 2002 stallion reached $1 million sire status in 2015. At the time of his death he was over $3 million in offspring earnings according to EquiStat statistical service. His top earners include Spooks Gotta Whiz, Spooksgottachicolena, and Oops Itsa Spooks.
His offspring will no doubt continue to carry on his legacy in the NRHA as well as the American Paint Horse Association and in arenas worldwide.
