Attila’s Storm was foaled on February 19, 2002. He was bred in Kentucky by Lajos Kengye. He was sired by multiple graded stakes winner Forest Wildcat. His dam, Sweet Symmetry, was a Maryland-bred mare by Magesterial, winner of several graded stakes races in Europe. Sweet Symmetry won over $100,000 on the track and later produced three race-winners, including Mighty Berto and Nobizlikehorsebiz. Attilla’s Storm was her most successful starter.
Attila’s Storm made his first two starts for his breeder at Santa Anita in Arcadia, California. He was then purchased by a group of investors that included Barry K. Schwartz, Wachtel Stable, Double S Stable, and Brouse Stable. His first win came shortly afterwards in a Maiden Special Weight at Aqueduct in Ozone Park, New York. That summer, Attila’s Storm won two Allowance races at Belmont Park and Monmouth Park. He made his graded stakes debut in the 2005 TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint under trainer Richard Schosberg. Attila’s Storm finished a respectable fourth behind Silver Train, Taste of Paradise, and Lion Tamer. He rounded out his three-year-old season with a win in the Fall Highweight Handicap and a second-place finish in the Gr.1 Malibu Stakes.
At age four, Atilla’s Storm ran third in the Gr.1 Vosburgh Stakes and in the Gr. 3 Palos Verdes Handicap. Unfortunately, he ran most of the 2006 TVG Breeders’ Cup Sprint on a crooked shoe after another horse clipped his right hind. He still managed to finish fifth behind Thor’s Echo. Attila’s Storm continued racing as a five-year-old and won the Gr.3 Toboggan Handicap. He also finished second in the Gr.2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and third in the Gr.1 Forego Stakes. He was scheduled to make a third appearance at the Breeders’ Cup when an ankle injury ended his racing career. In total, Attila’s Storm made 18 starts, won five races, and earned $534,983 on the track.
When Attila’s Storm was retired from racing, he was purchased by R. D. Hubbard and sent to the JEH Stallion Station in Hondo, New Mexico. Hubbard thought that the bay stallion would cross well on both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse mares. He was right. In 2012, Thermal, a dark bay gelding by Attila’s Storm and out of Hang Glide, by Dome, won the Mountain Top New Mexico Bred Thoroughbred Futurity and the New Mexico Classic Cup Juvenile Colt and Gelding Stakes. That same year, Heza Perfect Storm, a Quarter Horse son of Attila’s Storm out of Fame Us Katie, by Dash Ta Fame, won the By By JJ Stakes at Ruidoso Downs. He continued to sire stakes winners of both breeds.
Attila’s Storm became a leading sire in New Mexico. His top Thoroughbred starters include Waltzing Attila, Hush’s Storm, Stormin the Jewels, Go for a Stroll, Reaper, Forger, Tilla Cat, Little Vidalia, Renewed Vows, Flight Song, Atillas Gift, Dashkova, and Storms Surprise. His best Quarter Horse starter was Storm Chasor, a brown gelding out of Stardust Dash, by Dash for Cash. Storm Chasor won the Lobo Champion Stakes at Albuquerque. He was named the 2014 New Mexico Hi-Point Distance Horse and earned a Superior Race Horse award. In total, Storm Chasor made 44 starts, won 10 races, and earned $239,000 on the track. His other successful Quarter Horse starters include Grant the Star and Attillitis.
In 2020, Hubbard passed away. Attila’s Storm was sold in a dispersal sale. He was purchased by Jimmy Vasquez to stand at Double LL Farms. He bred approximately 65 mares for his new owner. Sadly, on June 22nd, 2021, Attila’s Storm suffered a severe colic. Much like his sire, Forest Wildcat, he survived colic surgery, but died afterwards. He was nineteen years old.
In total, Attila’s Storm sired over 400 registered Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse foals. His last foal crop hit the ground this year. As of today, progeny of Attila’s Storm have won over 700 races and earned over $18,000,000 on the track. Those numbers are continually increasing as some of his most successful starters are still on the track. Bella Dona, a bay mare by Attila’s Storm out of Charlotte’s Drone, by B. G.’s Drone, has won $420,000 this year. She has won all six of her starts in 2022 including the New Mexico Breeders’ Oaks. Other offspring that are still racing include Diabolical Storm, Storm Leader, No Pasa Nada, Cheese Tray, and Attilianno.
As his get continue to top sales and win races, his grandget are also making their way onto the track. In 2020, Icy Morning Breeze, a Quarter Horse mare by Winners Version and out of Icy Storm, by Attila’s Storm, won the Gr.2 New Mexico Classic Futurity. His daughters have also been bred to performance and barrel stallions such as Aint Seen Nothing Yet. Attila’s Storm is just starting to make an impact on the western industry. We will update this post as his influence grows.
Sources: Equineline. Equibase, The Bloodhorse, All Breed Database
The Western Thoroughbred 