Cromed Out Cat, ridden by Geoffrey Sheehan for Beechfork Ranch of Weatherford, Texas, marked 229 for a clear win in the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting at the Pacific Coast Derby in Las Vegas Saturday night. Ichis My Choice was second with Grant Setnicka at 223.5, and Gavin Jordan placed third on Some Kinda Highbrow with a 223.
It was the first appearance for both Sheehan and Cromed Out Cat in the finals of a Mercuria NCHA World Series event. Sheehan, 33, passed the million-dollar mark in NCHA earnings this year. The Mercuria win puts Cromed Out Cat over $200,000 in lifetime earnings.
Cromed Out Cat was bred by Jackson Land & Cattle Co. by High Brow Cat out of Peptos Fancy Jewel, by Peptoboonsmal. The 6-year-old mare has been a finalist in the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes, Super Stakes Classic and Classic Challenge. She’s posted major wins at the Pacific Coast Futurity and West Texas Classic.
In second, Ichis My Choice, the 2016 NCHA Horse of the Year, is shown by Grant Setnicka for J Five Horse Ranch of Weatherford, Texas. The 6-year-old mare by Cat Ichi out of Sweet Abra was bred by EE Ranches. She was a $300,000 purchase at the 2014 Western Bloodstock NCHA Futurity Sales. Ichis My Choice has earned more than $386,000.
In third, Some Kinda Highbrow was shown by Gavin Jordan for Michelle LeMaster of Las Vegas. The 8-year-old gelding by High Brow CD out of NCHA Futurity champion Some Kinda Memories, has earned more than $385,000.
In the Non-Pro division, there was an unprecedented three-way tie for the win among Elizabeth Quirk of Denham Springs, Louisiana, Jill Roth of Paso Robles, California and Bill Cowan of Ardmore, Oklahoma, all marking 224 to earn $8,219 each.
Quirk, who was the top qualifier with a 227, showed Cat Sheree, an 8-year-old mare bred by Bill Paxton by High Brow CD out of Nurse Sheree. Quirk was inducted into the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame last year. She is currently leading the NCHA Non-Pro World Standings. She was also co-champion of the previous Mercuria NCHA World Series show at The Mane Event.
Jill Roth, a former Amateur and Novice Non-Pro World Champion, showed Bea Pure Cat, a 9-year-old bred by Jim Crawford by High Brow Cat out of Mae Bea Marie. The gelding is a full brother to NCHA Futurity champion He Bea Cat. It was Roth’s second trip to the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting finals. She and Bea Pure Cat were also contenders in last year’s event at the Pacific Coast Derby.
Non-Pro Hall of Famer Bill Cowan showed Billies Catty, a home-bred 7-year-old mare by Catty Hawk out of Little Bonnie Blue. Cowan is now 2-for-2 in Mercuria finals: He was co-champion with Quirk in the show at The Mane Event earlier this year.