Top Broodmare St Pats Tea Dies

St Pats Tea, a multiple graded stakes winner on the racetrack who became the dam of Grade 1 winner Bodacious Dash and the earner of more than $1.4 million, has died, according to a social media post from her owners, Bob and Jerry Gaston.

The 1998 sorrel mare by leading sire Mr Jess Perry was out of Shes My Tea, by Hemp Meyers. She was bred in Louisiana by Edward C. Poston of Pineville and raced for the Gastons of Seguin, Texas.

St Pats Tea proved remarkably consistent during her racing career, winning or placing in each of her 13 lifetime starts while earning $95,791.

Among her major victories were the TQHA Sires' Cup Derby (RG3) and Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG2).

While St Pats Tea established herself as an accomplished runner, her greatest and most enduring influence came as a broodmare.

She produced 16 winners from 24 starters, with her offspring earning more than $1.4 million.

Her leading performer was Bodacious Dash, a Grade 1 winner who earned $756,495. The son of First Down Dash was among the nation's top runners of his generation and became the standout performer from his accomplished dam.

St Pats Tea also produced Native Tea Rose, an earner of $260,905, and St Pats First, who earned $173,113, giving the mare three six-figure earners during her distinguished producing career.

Her combination of racing ability and success in the breeding shed made St Pats Tea an important member of the Gastons' breeding program and extended the influence of her family to another generation.

Jerry Gaston paid tribute to the mare in announcing her passing.

"Our hearts are broken but we know she is now well and outrunning the Big Boys up there," Gaston wrote. "Rest in Peace, Sweetheart, we love you."

St Pats Tea was 28.

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