(1-3-23) Quarter Horse racing continues to grow and prosper in the US, a unique form of racing that allows cross breeding between a thoroughbred and the quarter horse.

One thoroughbred sire that is given a lot of credit for the development of what is commonly called an ‘Appendix‘ horse and that was ‘Three Bars‘. He would become a big part of quarter horse racing history.

What is considered an ‘Appendix’ horse?

The Appendix Quarter Horse is a first-generation cross between a thoroughbred and an American Quarter Horse. It gained popularity as breeders recognized that the cross retained the energy and temperament of the thoroughbred and the incredible speed and agility of the American Quarter Horse.

The American Quarter Racing and the National Quarter Horse Breeders associations merged in Texas in 1949, marking the beginning of the appendix registry. 

Foaled April 8, 1940, ‘Three Bars‘ was sired by Percentage and out of Myrtle Dee. After a promising showing in race training, he developed leg problems and never raced well before he was six years old. By that time, he was in Arizona, owned by Sidney H. Vail, who paid $10,000 for him in 1945.Eventually, his leg problems cleared up enough for him to race and show great early speed. He won the Speed Handicap in 1946 at Hipodromo de Tijuana, Tijuana, Mexico; which was a three-fourths of a mile, $4,000 ungraded stakes race for horses three years old or older. The winning time was 1:10 and a fifth.Vail would lease him to Walter Merrick, an early breeder of racing Quarter Horses, for a few years, but also stood him in Arizona and California.’Three Bars‘ died in March, 1968 in Oklahoma on Walter Merrick’s ranch.[

From 1945 to 1963, Three Bars sired 554 foals. His stud fee went from $100 in 1945 to $10,000 in 1963.

 His American Quarter Horse sons include Lightning Bar, Sugar Bars, Gay Bar King, Barred and Zippo Pat Bars.

‘Three Bars‘ also sired numerous thoroughbreds including Lena’s Bar (TB), dam of Easy Jet; Lucky Bar, sire of Impressive; and Rocket Bar, grand sire of Dash For Cash.

Did you know…

The #2 best producing Quarter Horse sire in 2022 was Favorite Cartel (2022 Breeding Fee: $20,000)…an Appendix with a quarter horse mother Shenoshercorona and a well known thoroughbred sire Favorite Trick–

His sire Favorite Trick accomplished a lot on the track during his career-

  • Favorite Trick retired with a record of 12 wins and a third from 16 starts, with earnings of $1,726,793.
  • Among Favorite Trick’s most successful thoroughbred runners were the stakes winners Yucatan, Sum Trick, Tricky R., and Tight Spin.
  • Favorite Trick was the leading New Mexico-based sire of 2006.
  • Favorite Trick was favored to win in all but three of his races and never went off at odds higher than 7-1.

Check out – Nole Ksum Racing Stable