Incredible Mare Produces Both the Futurity and Derby Champion at 2024 Royal Crown

The Buckeye Equestrian Center, under phenomenal new ownership, has been the stage for some exciting barrel racing action the past few days. The $75,000 added Royal Crown Futurity and $50,000 added Royal Crown Derby have been the highlight of the intense barrel racing competition.

There's no doubt that Tricia Aldridge and her wonder horse, Adios Pantalones, have been absolutely on fire everywhere they've gone. This included their first-place win in round one of the futurity with a 17.117-second run, earning them $7,020. This duo came back in round two with an even faster time of 16.960, landing the second-place check of $5,849. With an aggregate time of 34.077 seconds, Aldridge and Adios were crowned Royal Crown Futurity champions, winning an additional $11,700.

“We absolutely love Royal Crown. They’re good people, they put a ton of thought into their events. We are going to go to all three of them: Buckeye, Ariz., Guthrie, Okla., and Wyoming,” said Aldridge.

Inching incredibly closer and over halfway to their goal of $300,000 this year, Adios has truly shown he's got the "it" factor inside the arena and not just the looks. His fan base continues to grow and is certainly well-deserved.

“Adios has so many fans. I got 20 sweatshirts made, and they sold out so fast. We got this merch designed and then had over 260 orders the first day,” said Aldridge.

Adios' sire, Tres Seis, is definitely well-known, with his offspring winning more than $35 million on the race track and barrel pen, as well as he himself winning over $800,000 on the track.

The spotlight was on Adios' dam, French Bar Belle, at the Royal Crown, though. Not only did Adios win the Futurity championship, but Dashing French Belle, by Dash Ta Fame out French Bar Belle, was the Derby Champion. Jordan Knight jockeyed the mare to a total payout of over $16,000 in the two rounds and aggregate.

Both of these incredible equine athletes were bred by Leslie Bailey.

"We owned her mother, Blue Raysen Wagon, and we roped on her but wanted to get into the barrel world, so bred her to Frenchmans Guy, and we got French Bar Belle," said Bailey. "We then crossed her to the best in the business, and she produced futurity winners in Italy, of course, Adios, and derby winners."

Bailey had her start in breeding thoroughbreds, including Kentucky Derby and Breeder's Cup horses, then made the switch to the barrel industry, and it's sure paid off.

"It's not much different. You just breed the best to the best and hope for the best."

Their program has more than worked with having their mare produce both the champions at the Royal Crown this week.

Don't worry; Bailey said there are plans for more Adios Pantalones and Dashing French Belle full siblings in the future.