07/16/07 Three Bars

The Cinderella horse" of the twentieth century, Three Bars was a key architect in the building of today's modern Quarter Horse. I'm Jeff Keane and I'll be right back. (Commercial) The Three Bars Ranch in Oakdale, California could be called the "House that "Three Bars built". This colt, small by Thoroughbred standards, earned his name Three Bars by hitting the jackpot for his owners. Here's Becky with more. Three Bars, the dynamo named for the winning bars on a slot machine posted more than his share of winning numbers. Born in 1940 this bright chestnut was the Quarter Horse racing's all-time Leading Sire of Register of Merit Qualifiers through 1967. April 1968, found all three newly crowned Supreme Champions out of Three Bars. That year, his 384 sons and daughters accumulated nearly three million in racing earnings, but racing was only part of this champion's portfolio. Three Bars get proved equally effective in the show ring receiving both working and halter points and producing twenty-three AQHA Championships! From 1963 until his death four years later, Three Bars worth well exceeded that of the other typical stallions of his era, turning mares away at a stud fee of $10,000! Known for his stubborn streak Three Bars often epitomized the perfect equine characteristics for those who sought his breeding. So many times we hear Three Bars quoted in pedigrees yet how many of us actually stop to reflect on the story behind the horse named for the lucky slots. Fame, legacy and money all lined up at the right moment to create one of the biggest jackpots in Quarter Horse history. I'm Jeff Keane.