Heisanative was impressive on the track as a two-year-old. He would go on to sire both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse stakes winners. In just seven foal crops, Heisanative sired numerous exceptional racehorses and legendary broodmares. He is best known as the dam sire of Refrigerator, one of the greatest Quarter Horse racehorses of all time. Today, Heisanative is still present in the lineages of racing, barrel racing and performance horses.
Heisanative was bred by Leslie Combs III and foaled in Kentucky on May 9th, 1969. He was by Raise a Native who is often described as one of the most influential sires of Thoroughbred stallions. His dam, Times Two, was by Double Jay, the 1946 Champion Two-Year-Old Colt. Times Two produced race-winners Director, La Prensa, Quadruple, First Column, Regal Twin and black-type stakes winner Two Timing Lass. Within his five-generation pedigree, Heisanative traced to Teddy, Black Toney, Whisk Broom II, Bull Dog, and Ultimus – all prolific Thoroughbred sires of Quarter Horses.
As a two-year-old, Heisanative was one of the fastest and winningest sons of Raise a Native. He won the To Market Stakes, the Hyde Park Stakes and the Lads ‘N Lassies Stakes. Heisanative ran 21-second quarters and lead most of his winning races from start to finish. He even equaled the track record at Arlington Park for 5 furlongs. Heisanative retired from racing at age three after failing to hit the board that year. In total, he made 18 starts, 6 won races, and earned $70,058 on the track, the equivalent of about $450,000 today.
Heisanative entered stud in 1973. He stood at the Baker Ranch in Weatherford, Texas. In his prime, Heisanative stood 16.1HH and weighed 1,350 pounds. He was a compact horse with powerful hindquarters, a big shoulder and refined head and neck. Heisanative’s first foal crop included AQHA ROM earners Shesanative and Tiny Native. His 1975 foal crop was packed with talent. It included stakes winners Jeanifer Jet, She Is My Native, Hezamynative, May Go Native and Sissyisanative.
His most successful Quarter Horse starter, Classy Native, was a bay mare out of I’m Alotta of Trouble, by Top Charge. Classy Native won the Dash For Cash Maturity. She also placed in the Los Alamitos Invitational Championship, the Anne Burnett Invitational Handicap and the All American Futurity. In total, Classy Native made 36 starts, won 8 races, and earned $257,414 on the track. Classy Native went on to produce Classyonmymind, the dam of multiple graded stakes winner Special D Dash.
Native Eagle, a bay colt by Heisanative and out of Miss Bright Eagle, by Eagle Top, won the Lone Star Futurity and set a new track record at Manor Downs for 400 yards in 0:20.280 seconds. Other successful Quarter Horse starters by Heisanative include Midland Native, Run Native Run, Native Jet Doll, Native Return, Native Bux, Shesa Whip, Gracious Native and Native Desire. In total, Heisanative sired 436 registered Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse foals in 7 foal crops. Those foals included 311 starters, 180 winners, 141 ROM earners, 16 stakes winners and 15 Superior Race Award earners. His progeny earned $3,003,609 on the track.
His most successful son at stud was the Thoroughbred stallion Fol’s Native. Daughters of Heisanative proved to be outstanding broodmares. His daughter La Native produced multiple stakes winner Tokanon who set a new track record at Elko for 400 yards in 0:19.700 seconds. Heisanative is also the dam sire of graded stakes winners Ive Been Lied To and Heisajoy. Most famously, Native Parr, a bay mare by Heisanative, produced AQHA Hall of Fame racehorse Refrigerator. Refrigerator won the All American Futurity, Kansas Derby, Vessels Maturity, Los Alamitos Invitational Championship, Champion of Champions and World Championship Classic. In total, Refrigerator made 37 starts, won 23 races, and earned $2,126,309 on the track. He is one of the greatest Quarter Horse racehorses of all time.
Heisanative died in 1979 at the age of ten. Although his life was short, his impact on the western industry has lasted decades. Descendants of Heisanative include Whistle At The Babes, Firewater Hooch, Heza Rare Deal, and many others.
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