Vandy was foaled in 1943. He was bred by C. L. Brown in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. Vandy was by Going Light, an unraced son of multiple stakes winner Sweeping Light. His dam, Jean Ann Blair, was by Joe Blair, a famous son of Bonnie Joe. Joe Blair was a stakes-placed sprinter. In 1915, he lost… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Vandy
Moonsplash was foaled on May 9th, 1968. He was bred by John W. Greathouse and Ben F. Roach in Kentucky. Moonsplash was by Boldnesian, a bay son of leading sire Bold Ruler. Boldnesian won four races, including the 1966 Santa Anita Derby. His racing career was cut short due to bone chips in his knee… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Moonsplash
It's ironic how the Thoroughbred is often overlooked in rodeo history. The speed and grit that the breed famously possess is exactly what the sport demands. And although they’ve been largely forgotten or ignored, these horses have been competitive on the barrel pattern for generations. One of the greatest Thoroughbreds to ever run down the… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Cariboo Chief
Hempen was foaled on March 24th, 1962. He was bred by John and Phyllis Valpredo in Bakersfield, California. Hempen was by Indian Hemp, a chestnut son of leading sire Nasrullah. Indian Hemp was a stakes winner in England and North America. He won the 1951 Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and 1953 Yerba Buena… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Hempen
Bloody Blade was foaled on March 13th, 1975. He was bred by Barr Inman in Colorado. Bloody Blade was by Blade, a son of Bold Ruler. Blade won four races and placed second in the 1969 Delaware Valley Handicap and third in the 1970 Phoenix Handicap. He stood at Nuckols Farm where he sired Thoroughbred… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Bloody Blade
Nativo was foaled on April 10th, 1968. He was bred by William T. Pascoe III in Murietta, California. His sire, Raise a Native, was the 1963 Champion Two-Year-Old Colt. Raise a Native was by two-time Horse of the Year Native Dancer and out of Raise You, by Case Ace. He was undefeated in four starts,… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Nativo
Jackstraw Jr. was foaled on April 9th, 1961. He was bred by A. B. Munsey in New Mexico. Munsey stood his sire, Jackstraw, to Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse mares in Farmington near the Four Corners. Jackstraw was by Silver Horde and out of Absurdity, by Pagan Pan. He had Luke McLuke, the damsire of Three… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Jackstraw Jr.
Jeopardy was foaled in 1973. He was bred by 3M corporation chairman William L. McKnight’s Tartan Farms in Ocala, Florida. His sire, In Reality, was by Intentionally, the 1959 Champion Sprinter. In Reality won fourteen races, including the Fountain of Youth Stakes, Florida Derby and Metropolitan Handicap. He went on to sire 1979 Hall of… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Jeopardy
Like many sons of Native Dancer, Texas Dancer was hard to fault. He had a perfect pedigree and correct conformation. Texas Dancer sired an AQHA Racing Champion and his daughters produced numerous performance horses. His name certainly belongs in conversations about the most influential Thoroughbred sires of Quarter Horses. Texas Dancer was foaled on April… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Texas Dancer
Bold Moon was a stakes placed grandson of Bold Ruler. He sired two stakes winners and a barrel racing World Champion before his untimely death. Today, his most successful descendants are champion Appaloosas! Bold Moon was foaled on March 21st, 1970. He was bred by Clary Spencer, Dick Miller II and Lucien Campbell in Kentucky.… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Bold Moon
The Western Thoroughbred 