It's no secret that most sire lines lead straight back to Bourbon King, a stallion foaled in 1900. Was he held in as high esteem a century ago as he is today? The answer is a resounding yes, and he was a phenomenon right from the start. He was a show ring star and became a leading sire.
In 1934, W. Jeffterson Harris wrote a book entitled The History of Bourbon King which was published a mere four years after the horse's death. Harris had developed the annual sire rating, so he looked at things in a statistical manner. The stats were clear, Bourbon King was the most influential sire of his day. Let's take a look at Harris' findings, and see if there are any major changes today. Did history play out the way he envisioned?
Bourbon King was bred by R.B Young of Mt Sterling Kentucky who owned his dam, Annie C. She was used as the family buggy horse until she foundered, and since she was no longer useful in that regard, Young had her bred to Bourbon Chief. The first mating produced the successful show horse Montgomery Chief, so the breeding was repeated a few years later with Bourbon King as the result. Bourbon King first sold to Mat Cohen, who then sold him to A.G.Jones while still a weanling for $125. AG Jones never priced Bourbon King from then on and refused an offer of $7500 from Cohen as a 3 year old.
Bourbon King was line bred to Harrision Chief which was the sire of Bourbon Chief, as well as Annie C's sire Wilson's King. Harrison Chief was a trotting bred horse that was shown as a harness horse. When Bourbon King hit the show ring, he displayed great balance along with speed at the rack and trot. He was more finely chiseled than his old brother Montgomery Chief, so he had beauty to go along with his great ability. According to Jeff Harris' book, Bourbon King won the championship at Louisville in both 1903, as a mere 3 year old, and again in 1905. Although he did win the World's Championship 5 gaited Stake in 1905, the WGC was won by rival Rex Peavine in 1903. Perhaps Harris was referring to the 3 year old stake, but there was no record of it. Bourbon King was retired to stud in 1906. His starting stud fee was $25, then raised to $50. Later it went to $75, but Allie Jones would never raise it any higher.
Most of the show horses sired by Bourbon King that were mentioned in Harris' book showed at Louisville in everything from weanling to stake classes. Here is a recap of Louisville highlights as noted by Harris.
Weanling stake: This class was begun in 1919 and won by Eugenia Marvin. Bourbon King's daughters, Blanchita and Mary Gilbert produced the winning weanlings in 1931, 1932 and 1933.
Yearling stake: In 1917, Bourbon King's daughters Leila Lee and Blanchita were placed 1st & 2nd.
Junior 5 gaited: Bourbon King's offspring The Nobleman, Leila Lee, Emily McCready, King's Genius & Joanna Jones all won this class.
5 gaited Stallion stake: from 1917 through 1933, it was won by a son or a grandson every year except when won by Dickery Dare and Chief of Longview. The representatives of Bourbon King were Richlieu King, Gen. Bullard, Admiral King, General Foch, Edna May's King and King's Genius.
As a matter of fact, between 1916 and 1933 (the year before the book was published) Bourbon King or his sons sired 41 of 84 winners of the stake classes at the Kentucky State Fair. That's pretty darned impressive. Here are a list of Bourbon King's offspring that he sired that were successful in the show ring: King Barrymore, Leila Lee, WC Gloria Gleason, King's Fancy, Bourbon Star, Beauchamp, WC King's Genius, King's Sport, WGC Edna May's King, The Nobleman, RWGC Richlieu King, WGC In Demand, Cornelia King, WC Blanchita, Princess V, WC General Foch, WGC Astral King, RWGC Rex Lee Bourbon, Steppin' Fetchit, Cocleroi, WGC Emily McCready, WC Almeda, RWGC Joanna Jones, Carita, RWGC Ceruse and many more. Offspring of Bourbon King's sons and daughters include Sally Carneal, Mountain Laurel, WGC Mass of Gold, The Feudist, Arraby Acres, Rainbow Rose, Gen. Bullard, Society Barrymore and many, many more. Remember the book was published in 1934, so there were many offspring that hit the tanbark after that.
Now for the breeding stallions highlighted in the History of Bourbon King. WGC Astral King, foaled in 1906 out of Miss Carrick BHF. He was bred by AG Jones and sons and had a great show career. Bohemian King was out of Queen of Harrison by Harrison Chief and also bred by AG Jones and sons. He was shown some, but retired to the stud at age 3. He lived to age 19, but was kicked by a mare and died from his injuries. Fair Acre King was out of Aletha Chief by Bourbon Chief. He was not shown extensively. He sired The Feudist and Mountain Laurel. Mountain Laurel was the junior 5 gaited as a 3 & 4 year old. Bourbon Star was very beautiful, and an outstanding show horse that possessed great speed, power and endurance. He had a bad tail as the result of his trainer's impatience. He was shown in 5 gaited, combination, heavy harness and roadster classes. He was not advertised much at stud, and was not in an area known for saddle horses, but he did sire WGC Easter Star, a gelding, and before being gelded, his son Mountain Star sired Fiery Crags, yet another gelding. WGC Richlieu King was bred by JW Young of N.Middleton Kentucky, the same town as AG Jones. He had great animation and brilliance, was a popular show horse and a good broodmare sire. Carmen King out of Margaret Weissinger showed, but went lame and was then used at stud. Charming King showed successfully and sired Rainbow Rose. She won the South Shore Count;ry Club show in Chicago three times. Admiral King won the 5 gaited Stallion stake at Louisville twice, was second twice and third once. General Foch was a full brother to Carmen King and won the 5 gaited stake at Louisville. Richmont was another son of Margaret Weissinger who finished in the ribbons of the 5 giated Stallion stake twice. Undulata King was out of Lena Jemison. He was a consistent show horse and sire. The Nobleman won the Junior Stake at the Kentucky State Fair, sold to California. He showed until he was 18 years old and also used at stud. King's Fancy was bred by AG Jones & son out of Endora (referred to as Eudora). He won the 3 year old 5 gaited stake at the Kentucky State Fair and was later used as a pleasure horse. Roosevelt was shown in 5 gaited and fine harness classes. Cabell King won at the Kentucky State Fair. Bourchester and Douglas Chief were also mentioned.
The next five stallions were given special mention in Harris' book. The great former show mare Edna May was purchased at the dispersal sale of Mrs. R. Tasker Lowndes for $1125 by BS Castles and bred to Bourbon King, which produced Edna May's King. AG Jones bought him as a yearling, but later sold him to Revel English of California in 1924 for $12,000. Edna May's King was World's Grand Champion in 1924 and 1926 and then sold to RW Morrison of Anacacho Ranch in Spofford Texas for $40,000 in 1930. Although he was noted as a good stud, the History of Bourbon King made no mentioin of specific offspring, rather it highlighted his show history. AG Jones sold Edna May's King in favor of keeping King Barrymore. AG Jones bought Kate Barrymore as the ideal cross with Bourbon King. She had two crosses to Bourbon Chief, and although she had been barren for several years, Jones thought it was worth the risk. She did produce King Barrymore when bred to Bourbon King, and later a full sister named Gloria Gleason. King Barrymore was shown briefly in 3 year old 5 gaited and also fine harness. He was 3rd in the 5 gaited stallion stake in 1926 and 1927. Jones kept him as Bourbon King's successor, and he did not disappoint when it came to siring show horses. He sired Charming Gypsy which was the 3 year old 5 gaited winner at Louisville. He was the leading sire of prize winners at the Kentucky State Fair in 1929, 1930 and 1931 after being second to his sire Bourbon King in 1928. He was again second in 1933. Some of his winners were Rose Barrymore, Society Barrymore and Bright Eyes. Another good stallion son of Bourbon King was the handsome King's Sport. Also bred by AG Jones, he was only shown as a 3 year old and was sold to Clara Peck of Winganeek Farm. King's Sport won the 3 year old 5 gaited class at Louisville and was third in the Stallion stake behind Admiral King and General Bullard. His dam Endora (often noted as Eudora) was shown by Mat Cohen, and placed second in a model class to Margaret Weissinger, another mare later bred to Bourbon King. King's Sport was a full sibling to King's Fancy and King's Rival. Rex Lee Bourbon was another stallion bred by AG Jones, and later purchased by WT Treadway of Valley View Stables in Missouri. He was a good show horse, being Reserve World's Grand Champion in 1930. His dam was Lelia Rex by Rex Peavine. She was a 3 gaited show horse who also produced Joanna Jones. And finally we come to my favorite, King's Genius. Again, another stallion bred by AG Jones. King's Genius was sold as a 4 year old to JE Kuhns of Pennsylvania, and he was purchased by Dixiana Farms as a 6 year old. He was shown extensively and in 1931 won the 5 gaited Stallion stake at Louisville and was third in the championship. In 1932 he sold to Mary Fiers of Oklahoma and then to Roger Selby of Ohio in 1933. That same year he again won the 5 gaited Stallion stake and was third in the championship. In six seasons, he won 23 Stallion classes, 10 Stallion stakes, 2 Junior stakes, 2 Fine Harness stakes, 1 combination class and 21 Grand Championship stakes. The Harris book mentioned that King's Genius had sired Belle de Luxe, winner of the Kentucky State Fair foal class, and Pepper Martin, a bay colt that won the yearling championship at the Missouri State Fair.
So what do we know from the perspective of time what Jeff Harris didn't know when he wrote his book? Many Bourbon King colts were born in the late 1920's and their contributions were unknown in 1934 when the book was written. Queen of Bourbon f.1929 out of Kate Haines was a good show mare. Highland Perle f.1928 was a good broodmare, as was Princess Firefly out of Golden Firefly BHF. By the way, the BHF Broodmare Hall of Fame designation was unknown at the time the book was written. Dorothy Lloyd f.1921 produced Sparkling Waters. Lartsa King f. 1911 produced My King, the sire of Stonewall King. Iowana f. 1918 produced Marie Bosace BHF, and Bourbon King's daughters Blanchita and Sady Mack were both in the BHF.
Allie Jones had his own ideas about bloodlines, and he favored mares by Chester Dare, Rex Peavine, Highland Denmark and Bourbon Chief to cross with Bourbon King. Margaret Weissinger by Chester Dare produced 14 foals, all by Bourbon King and several were World's Champions. Another Chester Dare daughter, Ella Rodman BHF, was the dam of Bourbon Star. Endora by Highland Denmark produced 8 foals by Bourbon King, and another Highland Denmark daughter, Highland Lady produced 6 foals by Bourbon King including Blanchita BHF. Bourbon Chief daughters Bourbon Grace and Selina produced 10 and 7 Bourbon King foals respectively. The daughter of Rex Peavine, Lelia Rex produced Joanna Jones and Rex Lee Bourbon, both were RWGC.
And what about Bourbon King sons that were used as breeding stallions? There were dozens that were used "as stock horses" as Jeff Harris called them. Many made lasting contributions, and of the five stallions highlighted in The History of Bourbon King, certainly King's Genius and Edna May's King were at the top. Allie G. Jones would certainly be pleased. Here is a recap of 30 of his top breeding sons, from youngest to oldest.
- Captain King, 1927, out of Galli Curci by Rex Peavine. He sired Captain Romayne, and Blue Meadow King, the sire of WGC CH Meadow Princess.
- Bourmont, 1927, out of Margaret Weissinger by Chester Dare
- Rex Lee Boburbon, 1924, RWGC, out of Lelia Rex by Rex Peavine. He sired Rose Lee Bourbon BHF.
- King's Genius, 1924, WC, out of Princess Eugenia BHF by Chester Peavine. Among his daughters were CH Glorious Star, The Genius' Queen, Belle De Luxe, Sheer Genius, Front Cover, Smile Again, Front Page Lady and BHF daughters Reverie's Desdemona, Queen's Genius of Belemar, Helen Highwater, Ky. Cardinal Belle, Flirtation Walk, Candy Genius, King's Genius Choice, Rose Genius and May Genius. His sons included King's Farewell, Ggenius' Firefly, RWGC Admiration of the Nation, Blazing Genius, Leatherwood King, Leatherwood Genius, The Genius, Bourbon Genius, Genius of Stonyridge, Jack Dare's King, Fair Acres Genius, Wild Genius, Genius of Kentucky, RWGC Genius Golden, RWC Pirate Gold and Pepper Martin.
- Richmont, 1922, out of Margaret Weissinger by Chester Dare
- King Barrymore 1921, out of Kate Barrymore BHF by McDonald Chief. He sired daughters Our Birdie (dam of Stonewall Premier), Margie Louise, Joyce Kilmer (dam of Lucy Kilmer BHF). His sons included Anderson Rex, (sire of CH WGC Emerald Future BHF), One Grand Barrymore, King's Leader ,Barrymore O'Goshen and Captain Courageous.
- Beau Cheval, 1921, out of Jane Madison by Rex Peavine. He sired RWGC Belle Sarita and Beau Rose.
- Fair Acres Erskine Dale, 1920, out of Lettie W by Chester Dare.
- King's Sport, 1919, out of Endora by Highland Denmark. He sired Clay T. Rose, the dam of Veiled Prophet, and Easter Sport, 3rd dam of Buddy, Best Saddlebred Ever.
- Bourchester, 1919, out of Margaret Weissinger by Chester DAre. He sired Mattie Bates.
- General Foch, 1918, also out of Margaret Weissinger.
- Edna May's King, 1918, out of Edna May BHF by Rex Peavine. He sired BHF daughters Anacacho Princess and Edna May's Delight, also Anacacho Del Oro. His stallion sons included Nawbeek's Highland King, Anacacho Denmark, CH Anacacho Shamrock and Cameo Kirby.
- King's Fancy, 1916, WC, out of Endora by Highland Denmark. He sired CH Royal Entertainer.
- Torpedo, 1915, out of Carolina by Chester Dare. He sired CH Ann Rutledge and CH Mountain Raven BHF, the dam of WGC Lady Carrigan.
- The Nobleman, 1913, WC, out of Jane Madison by Rex Peavine.
- Hermit, 1912, out of Honoria by Bourbon Chief. He sired RWGC CH Parade of Elegance.
- Admral King, 1912, WC, out of Bonetta 2D by King Marvel. He sired Lina Lee Lewis who produced CH WGC Fiery Crags.
- Manrico, 1912, out of Edith Norton by Chester Dare. He sired Jezebel.
- King's Rival, 1912, WC, out of Endora by Highlan Denmark.
- Murillo King, 1911, out of SElina by Bourbon Chief
- The Courier, 1910, out of Cloud Maiden by Red Cloud. He sired Silver Moon BHF.
- Douglas Chief, 1909, out of Stella Hill by Delmonte. He sired Torcido Chief.
- Fair Acre King, 1909, WC, out of Aletha Chief by Bourbon Chief. He sired full siblings, WC Mountain Laurel, WC the Feudist and WC The Target.
- Charming King, 1909, out of Charm by Red Cloud. He sired RWC Rainbow Rose.
- Richlieu ing, 1907, RWGC out of Effie McClelland by Bourbon Chief. He sired RWGC Gen. Bullard, who was later killed in a railcar accident.
- King Phelps, 1907, out of Miss Madison BHF by Chester Dare. He sired Ware's Sensation BHF.
- Bourbon Star, 1907, out of Ella Rodman BHF by Chester Dare. He sired CH WGC Easter Star, Meadow Mist, RWGC Fighting Chance, Alice Star BHF, WC Mountain Star, RWC Beautiful Star and Mattie Bourbon.
- Astral King, WGC, CH, 1906, out of Miss Carrick BHF by Highland Denmark. He sired Astral Peavine.
- Bohemian King, 1905, out of Queen of Harrison by Harrison Chief. He sired WGC Bohemian Actress and Jean Bohemian BHF.
- Roosevelt, 1904, out of Lady Houston by Blue Jeans. He sired WC Bessie Vernon.
