Miss Bank was foaled in June of 1940 in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Joe O’Keefe is recorded as her breeder in Legends 4: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions, which was published by Western Horseman Magazine in 1999. According to Champions of the Quarter Track, a book written by Nelson C. Nye and published in 1950, Ross Perner… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Miss Bank
Real Dish was foaled on May 19th, 1959, in California. She bred by Louis and Ida Shapiro, the breeders of Native Diver and Azure Te. Real Dish was by Royal Charger, a chestnut son of the great Nearco. Royal Charger was bred by Sir John Jarvis in Great Britain. He won six races including the… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Real Dish
Falacy was foaled on February 6th, 1980, in Oklahoma. She was bred by AQHA Hall Fame inductee Walter Merrick. Falacy was by Hempen, a chestnut son of Indian Hemp. Hempen won the San Miguels Stakes, Midwest Handicap and SNARO Handicap. He also set a new track record in the 1966 Olympia Handicap at Arlington. Hempen… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Falacy
Equa Charge was foaled on March 20th, 1958. He bred by Mrs. Cynthia H. Masek and John K. Goodman in California. The Jockey Club lists Equa Charge as a “light chestnut,” but he was probably a palomino. Equa Charge was by Depth Charge, one of several Thoroughbreds to have been inducted into the AQHA Hall… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Equa Charge
Bird Man was foaled on April 18th, 1963. He was bred by W. E. Steele in Oklahoma. Bird Man was sired by Good Bird, a handsome son of Papa Redbird. Good Bird won five races, including the 1958 Colorado Silver Stakes. After he retired from racing, Good Bird was purchased by Johnny T. L. Jones… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Bird Man
Firm Ground was foaled in 1952. He was by Middleground, the second Kentucky Derby winner bred and owned by the King Ranch. Middleground was by Bold Venture and out of Verguenza, by Chicaro. He was trained by Max Hirsch and ridden by apprentice jockey Bill Boland. After Middleground won the Derby, he placed second in… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Firm Ground
R. Smith was foaled on January 19th, 1971. He was bred by C. E. Nicholas in Dillion, Montana. R. Smith was by Seasonal, an unraced son of British champion, Windy City II. Windy City II was the sire of Restless Wind, a multiple stakes winner, and Old Pueblo, a sire of Quarter Horse stakes winners.… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: R. Smith
Duck Dance was foaled on January 31st, 1967. He was bred by Jack Dreyfus and foaled on his storied Hobeau Farm near Ocala, Florida. Duck Dance was by Water Prince, a race-winning son of Beau Gar, the foundation stallion of the Dreyfus breeding program. Beau Gar sired many good runners including stakes winners Handsome Boy,… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Duck Dance
In 1958, Mrs. Anson Bigelow purchased a gray son of Native Dancer for $50,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She later named the colt Mito, which she said meant “happy” in a language of the Pacific Islands as a nod to his grandsire, Polynesian. Bigelow and trainer George P. Odom had campaigned Mito’s half-brother,… Continue reading The Western Thoroughbred History: Mito
“I never pictured a horse that could look that good,” said Sid Vail to Ed Ellinger for Western Horseman. “If there was ever a perfect horse, he was it. I couldn’t fault him anywhere.” Three Bars was foaled on April 10th, 1940. He was by Percentage, a chestnut stallion by black-type stakes winner Midway and… Continue reading Three Bars: The Greatest Sire of Quarter Horses
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