The American Saddlebred: June 2023

Oman's Desdemona Denmark

The Golden Cross of breeding occurs when horses of a particular bloodline cross well and produce superior offspring. Sometimes it is a bloodline, such as crossing Supreme Sultan daughters with Wing Commander, or a specific individual with another individual. Such was the case of Oman's Desdemona Denmark, who was not only the product of a Golden Cross, but also a participant in another Golden Cross. His sire, Anacacho Denmark, foaled in 1930 and had a number of owners before he landed at Reverie Knoll Farm in 1942. That same year, Freeman Keyes, the owner of Reverie Knoll had a filly born named Reverie's Desdemona. This was during World War II when showing was curtailed, so Reverie's Desdemona was bred to Anacacho Denmark as a 2 year old. The resulting filly was Kate Shriver, who would later become a World's Grand Champion. This was the start of the first Golden Cross in our story. The duo of Reverie's Desdemona and Anacacho Denmark produced Ridgefield's Denmark in 1946, Reverie's Camelia in 1947, and Golden Thunderbolt in 1948 before being sold to different farms, with her being sold to Leatherwood Farm in 1948 and Anacacho Denmark ending up at Carolanne Farm the same year. Fate intervened once more when Oscar Smith, the owner of Carolanne Farm passed away in 1950, and Anacacho Denmark was purchased by John Oman III. Due to the success of Kate Shriver winning her WGC titles in 1949 and 1950, Mr. Oman purchased Reverie's Desdemona in late 1951 after she had produced another full sibling, Clarma. This duo produced four more colts until Anacacho Denmark died, with his last colt crop coming in 1957.

Anacacho Denmark and Reverie's Desdemona, sire & dam of Oman's Desdemona Denmark

Of all their offspring, the most successful breeding stallion was Oman's Desdemona Denmark. Bred by John Oman III, he foaled in 1953 in Franklin, Tennessee. Doss Stanton was the manager of Oman Stables and showed Oman's Desdemona Denmark as a 2 year old where he placed 2nd in the Fine Harness ASHB National Futurity class. Desdemona Denmark as he was often called, showed much promise, and was selected to replace his aging sire for Oman Stables. He sired one colt in 1957, then began his career in earnest in 1958.

Oman's Desdemona Denmark and Doss Stanton

One of his first colts was Flame of Denmark out of RWGC CH Aflame (BHF), making Flame of Denmark a 3/4 brother to RWGC CH Broadland's Captain Denmark who was also bred by Oman Stables and was originally named Oman's Captain Denmark. Modern day sires Samur and I'm Lookin' trace back on their sire line to Oman's Desdemona Denmark through Flame of Denmark.

Two other early colts of Oman's Desdemona Denmark were Mona Denmark BHF foaled in 1959 and WC CH Sensational Princess, foaled in 1960. Both were stars, but for different reasons. Mona Denmark became a top producer, being the dam of RWC The Mean Machine and WC Attache's Liquid Assets. Sensational Princess won multiple titles as a World's Champion Ladies 5 Gaited Mare, but sadly died before being able to produce any offspring.

Tragedy struck in 1960 when John Oman III was killed in a plane crash. His horses were sold and Oman's Desdemona Denmark was sold to Tom Biederman who managed Starheart Stonewall. The stallion wasn't used as much during this time, and by late 1962 he sold again, going to George Gwinn briefly, then on to A.J. Andreoli of Reata Farm in Ohio. What a change of fortune this proved to be for Oman's Desdemona Denmark. He sired successful colts from a variety of mares, but he too had a Golden Cross when teamed with the mare Dixie Duchess who was also owned by Reata Horse Farm beginning in 1964. Starting with WC CH Glenview Radiance in 1964, the duo produced Valley's Desdemona Denmark in 1966, WGC CH Belle Elegant in 1968, WC CH Summer Melody in 1970, All Hail Columbia in 1971 and WC Ch Denmark's Grand Duchess in 1972.

Oman's Desdemona Denmark and Dixie Duchess, the 2nd Golden Cross in this story

In addition to his colts with Dixie Duchess, Oman's Desdemona Denmark sired Reata's Really Really BHF and WGC CH Reata's Virginia Wolf while at Reata. The latter mare was out of a daughter of Dixie Duchess, so she was a 3/4 sister to Glenview Radiance, Belle Elegant and the rest of those full siblings. However, Reata held a dispersal in 1967, so once again, the stallion was sold. First he went to Crabtree Stables and then resold a few days later to his last home, Joan Farris in Laporte, Indiana. This astute breeder also bought Dixie Duchess and was able to continue producing this splendid family of horses.

Other good horses he sired during his tenure at Joan Farris' Peppermint Valley Farm were the geldings CH Denmark's Aquarius, WCC CH Great Big Country, and WCC CH Denmark's The Music Man. Breeding stallions included Lord O'Shea, RWC Fashion's Desdemona Denmark and WC Blackberry Winter. Oman's Desdemona Denmark sired a lot of good mares during the latter part of his career. Some other notables were CH Cherry Rebel BHF, WCC CH Comedienne, WC CH Denmark's Spitfire, Canterbury Lane, I Do I Do BHF, WC Mirror Mirror, Martha Martha, The Rose, WGC CH Reata's Virginia Wolf, Beauteous Belle and Sea Song PV. With good reason, Oman's Desdemona Denmark was the #1 ranked sire from 1974 until 1978. He died late in 1978 leaving his name on the pedigree of many fine horses.

Here are some of his offspring, listed in chronological order.