Hall of Fame - Horses April  12, 2026

The Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association Hall-of-Fame showcases the many horses and people who have earned the distinction of becoming part of Quarter Horse Racing history in Louisiana. To be part of the Hall-of-Fame, horses and people must have been outstanding over a period of years in a variety of categories. They must have brought exceptional visibility and/or contribution to Quarter Horse Racing and the State of Louisiana.

Hall-of-Fame inductees are chosen each year by a selection committee and are honored at the annual LQHBA Awards Banquet. The inaugural inductee class were announced in January 2016. On April 9, 2016, Leverne Perry and Claude and Bessie Lea Jeane, Oh Black Magic, Rocket's Magic and Royal Bushwhacker were inducted into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) inaugural Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the association

A special thank you to Martha Claussen and StallioneSearch for research and writing bios and to Speedhorse and TRACK magazines for helping track down photos of these inductees from their archives.

The inductees have each played a significant role in Louisiana Quarter Horse industry. Inductees into the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Association Hall-of-Fame are:

PEOPLE

HORSES

Click the names to view Hall-of-Fame member bios or click on "PEOPLE" or "HORSES" in the left tool bar.

JLS MR BIGTIME

Inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in 2026

JLS Mr Bigtime

There are many accomplished Louisiana-bred millionaires, but just a few share the distinction of putting Louisiana on the map.  JLS Mr Bigtime certainly did that and will be honored as a member of the LQHBA Hall of Fame on April 17. Bred and owned by Jls-Speed Horse Ranch Inc, the son of Bigtime Favorite out of the Osceola Warrior mare Psalmist arrived at their Opelousas farm on January 17, 2008.

Family patriarch John Souieau felt that the cross would be a good one. Close friends with Chris and Kim Blanchet, who sell prepped horses for Jls-Speed Horse Ranch Inc each year, John would always ask for their opinion on the 2-year-old crop.

“John would always ask which of the babies would be a good futurity prospect,” recalled Kim. “Chris pegged Jls Mr Bigtime in that category right off the bat.”

Chris Blanchet was not the only one to give his stamp of approval. The late Jacky Martin, who broke the sorrel gelding and saw something special.

Jls Mr Bigtime's owner John Soileau © courtesy LQHBA

“Jacky loved him,” stated Darrel. “He told me that “this one can go to the Mountain.”

Consigned to the 2009 LQHBA Yearling Sale, JLS SpeedHorse had decided they would take no less than $20,000.  The bidding went to $19,000, and based on Martin’s evaluation, Jls Mr Bigtime remained with the Soileau family.

He ran his first career race on February 10, 2010, at Louisiana Downs. It was a trial for the Mardi Gras Futurity, and although he won at first asking, he did not qualify. Jockey  Gilbert Ortiz saw his potential but reported to trainer Darrel Soileau that some equipment changes were in order.

“In the starting gate, he threw his head up high and just wanted to take off,” said Ortiz. “We worked with him, and he definitely came around.”

He remained in Louisiana, making three more starts before running second, by a neck, in the $375,000 Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity(RG1) on July 10 at Delta Downs.

He was sent to Ruidoso Downs and, under the care of respected veteran Sleepy Gilbreath, was supplemented for $50,000 in the All American Futurity(G1). Jacky Martin had the call in his trial win, in which he won in :21.220 seconds. An overflow Louisiana cheering section held their breath as Jls Mr Bigtime surged to the lead at the top of the stretch before longshot Mr Piloto defeated him by a neck.

“We really thought he had won, “said Kim Blanchet of the very close finish. “But interestingly, John Soileau had ties to Mr. Piloto, and if you look at bloodlines, you will see that.”

The Soileau family experienced the gamut of emotions on Labor Day, but headed home knowing that their homebred had plenty left in his tank.  They were correct as JLS Mr Bigtime posted the top qualifying mark to the $526,593 LQHBA Breeders' Futurity at Evangeline Downs and set a new 400-yard track record of :19,411 in the final under rider Jarrod Deschamp.

Jls Mr Bigtime wrapped up his 2-year-old season with 6 wins and 2 seconds from 9 starts, earning $599,962.

He returned to Ruidoso Downs in 2011, making four starts competing in trials for the Rainbow Derby (G1) and running third in the All American Derby(G1).

Jls Mr Bigtime Louisiana Million Futurity winner's circle.
© Coady

The highly accomplished gelding became just the second Louisiana-bred Quarter Horse to eclipse the $1 million earnings mark on December 12, 2015, when he finished second in the  $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic at Fair Grounds. Vals Fortune set the mark of $1,111,591 in 2005.

JLS Mr Bigtime's overall record stands at (35) 12-5-5 with earnings of $1,031,147. He was named the 2010 AQHA Racing Champion 2-Year-Old Gelding, an AQHA Racing Superior Race Horse in 2011, and set three track records. He passed away last July at the age of 17 at Blanchet Farms.

“After breeding season, Chris was thinking about transitioning him as a riding horse,” explained Kim. “The colic came on so suddenly that there was no way to save him.”

But, once again, the bonds between great Louisiana breeders and horsemen create memories and Hall of Fame recognition. This year, the honor goes to Jls Mr Big Time.

“He became a millionaire, but beyond that brought us together as a family,” admitted Darrel. “To breed a horse with that level of success was a great accomplishment for our farm, and we shared that with  Chris and Kim Blanchet, our neighbors and great friends.”