7/4/18 Genius Bourbon King -- he guaranteed ears!

Genius Bourbon King

Genius Bourbon King with Louis Robinson

		King's Genius
	Bourbon Genius
		Kate Haines BHF
Genius Bourbon King
		Silver Mac
	Blessed Event
		Fair Promise

Bourbon Genius

Blessed Event

In some ways, Genius Bourbon King led a charmed life.  He had owners who cared for him and gave him many opportunities.  He repaid them by siring talented colts and leaving a great legacy in the Saddle horse world.   There was no guarantee his life would turn out this way.   

His sire, Bourbon Genius, while a top stallion, only lived to age 13.  Genius Bourbon King’s dam, Blessed Event, had been a good, but not great show horse.  As a broodmare, she definitely couldn’t even be labeled as good.  In 10 years, she only produced 3 foals, and her two fillies never reproduced. What were the chances these two parents would meet at the opportune time?  Genius Bourbon King was foaled in 1943 at Dixiana Farms, but the Saddlebred industry was stalled out due to uncertainties in the world.  The beginning of World War II caused the cancellation of the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville.  As a colt, he was sickly and not much notice was taken of him. 

Things began to turn around when he sold as a yearling to Dr Wayne Munn of Shoreacres Farm and he was first registered as Shoreacres Genius.   Four years later, JL Younghusband, the owner of Valley View Farms in Illinois, was in need of a stallion.  He had recently sold Beau Fortune, and it was his good fortune to find Shoreacres Genius in nearby Wisconsin.  The once sickly colt had matured very nicely and was reregistered as Genius Bourbon King upon his purchase.  He was sent to Jack Thompson, who was just back from World War II, and stood as a breeding stallion in Kentucky from 1947 through 1949.  Life was about to change yet again for Genius Bourbon King when Valley View Farms trainer Louis Robinson died.  In 1950, Tom Moore came to work at Valley View Farm.   He was 15 years old at the time and soon became the head trainer.  And he wanted to show a good horse.  And there stood Genius Bourbon King.  So it was back into training, and into the show ring for the 7 year old stallion.  Shown in fine harness, he was successful for several seasons, but his breeding career was slowed to accommodate the show schedule.  He also had a very steep stud fee, placed at $1000 in 1956.  As a result, the stallion still didn’t have many offspring, but those he had showed good promise. 

Mrs. Judson Large, a wealthy businesswoman from Chicago Illinois purchased several Genius Bourbon King colts in the late 1950’s.  In 1962, Mr. Younghusband was in poor health and needed to sell his horses.  Mrs. Large became the final owner of Genius Bourbon King.  She loved him and made sure the 19 year old stallion was given great care.  She also purchased good broodmares for the old stallion.  She owned him for 5 years until his death at age 24, and he produced 82 colts during those years out of a total on 212 colts in his life time.  Genius Bourbon King was said to be a good dispositioned horse, and stamped his get with his beautiful ears and athletic ability. 

Here are his  Champion get. 

^CHMargie's Lady Genius (RWC)
1948, mare out of Margie Highland by Peavine’s Highland Chief

^CHMoore's Miss America (WC)¹
1950 mare out of Briney Breezes BHF by Kalarama Rex RWGC

^CHPlum Duff (RWC)
1950 mare out of Meimohala Born by Cameo Kirby

^CHValley View Supreme (WGC, WC, RWC)
1952 stallion out of Diana Gay BHF by The Genius

^CHJames L
1954 Gelding out of Loghaven's Spanish Moss by Spic and Spanish 

^CHScarlett Flame (WC, RWGC, RWC)
1955 mare out of Diana Gay BHF by The Genius

^CHSomethin' Else

1963 mare out of Mountain Society by Major my Dare

CHMister Dawn 1964 stallion out of Ginni Dawn by Better Bourbon King

 ^CHLilli O'Lee  (WCC)

1964, mare out of Melody O’Lee BHF by Anacacho Denmark

^CHMissouri Rebel
1964 gelding out of Janie Lammert by Noble Kalarama WGC

Margie's Lady Genius

Moore's Miss America with Tom Moore

Valley View Supreme with Tom Moore

James L with Cynthia Wood

Scarlett Flame with Tom Moore

Lilli O'Lee



Genius Bourbon King sired many other how horses, that although they weren't CHampions, they were very successful.  They included WC Pedro's Dream, WC The Jasper Wildcat, RWC Mr. American, RWC The Rambler, Shoreacres Anacacho Genius, Spanish Dancer and Mr. Ike. 



As you can imagine, Genius Bourbon King sired many successful breeding stallions and mares.  In future posts, we'll take a look at them as well.

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