Killoqua was foaled on February 11th, 1959. He was bred by American businessman Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney at his farm near Lexington, Kentucky. Killoqua is a word from the indigenous Lushootseed language of the Pacific Northwest. It means deep, peaceful lake. Killoqua was by Mount Marcy, a son of leading sire Mahmoud. Mount Marcy won 17… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Killoqua
Bold Ego was foaled March 2nd, 1978. He was bred by J. D. Barton in Anthony, New Mexico. Bold Ego was by Bold Tactics, a multiple stakes placed son of Bold Ruler. Bold Tactics set a new track record for 6 furlongs at Hawthorne Park. Many of his foals possessed his same blistering speed. Bold… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Bold Ego
Fleet Kirsh was foaled on May 13th, 1966. He was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Bickenbaugh in California. Fleet Kirsch was by Fleet Nasrullah, one of the fastest sons of Nasrullah. Fleet Nasrullah won eleven races, including the Westchester Stakes, Lakes and Flowers Handicap and San Pasqual Handicap. Fleet Nasrullah also set new… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Fleet Kirsch
St. Columba was foaled on February 6th, 1969. He was bred by Mrs. Linell C. Smith in Kentucky. St. Columba was by Restless Native, a son of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Native Dancer. Restless Native won two races before a bowed tendon forced his early retirement. He stood at Sagamore Farm in Maryland.… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: St. Columba
Noble Kingdom was foaled in 1970. He was bred by Mrs. Mary Robertson in Oklahoma. Noble Kingdom was by Three Kingdoms, an unraced son of Princequillo. Three Kings sired stakes winners Pura U. P. R. and King Hoss in the United States. He was later exported to South America. Three Kings was the damsire of… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred: Noble Kingdom
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
The Western Thoroughbred 