1967-Voice Of The Tennessee Walking Horse 1967 June Voice RS | Page 7

should be one of the greatest breeding horses of all time,
because he is such a natural Walking Horse. He IS nat­
ural; everything he does is natural, and he was born
with it. Not only is he a splendid individual, but he is
also the result of a forty-five year breeding program which
Mr. A. S. Dean, who raised him, has carried on. He
worked through a four-generation cross to produce SUN’S
DELIGHT, and this horse now has some of the greatest
bloodlines of the breed. When they are bred right, they
will walk right. SUN’S DELIGHT has proven that he
can walk, and his bloodlines indicate that he will sire
colts that will walk.”
SUN’S DELIGHT has been at stud close to four years
and unfortunately this is not long enough to determine
whether or not he has completely achieved his outstand­
ing potential. The years ahead will provide the final
answer but we can gain some insight as to the end result
by looking at his exceptional achievements as a stud to
date.
DELIGHT was formally retired on September 14,
1963, one week to the day after his greatest victory, at
the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville. Horse show fans
hated to see this great champion retired to stud, but
realized that he could make an even greater contribution
to the breed by passing along his remarkable qualities
as a sire.
A close look at DELIGHT’S breeding bear out the
planned program undertaken by Mr. Dean, a well-known
Middle Tennessee breeder. His sire is MIDNIGHT SUN
and he is out of WILSON SNIP’S CHANCE. Her blood­
lines run back to MERRY LEGS F-4 and progress
through SNIP to cross with LAST CHANCE to produce
SNIP’S CHANCE. As a dam, SNIPS CHANCE crossed
well with WILSON DEAN, whose bloodlines run back
to ROAN ALLEN F-38, and produced WILSON SNIP’S
CHANCE with her outstanding qualities.
Perhaps the most significant evidence of the breeding
potential of SUN’S DELIGHT is the fact that colts sired
by him are coming on strong in 1967. This is what every­
one has been waiting for; a chance to sec just what colts
sired by DELIGHT could do in the show ring.
Results thus far indicate that he can breed color, size
and natural show-ring ability. His colts have a certain
noticeable quality about them that is difficult to describe.
It is a well-known fact that many veteran horsemen are
already taking pride in their ability to “spot a DELIGHT
colt.” On questioning one observer regarding this alleged
“quality” he described it as being a combination of “con­
formation and bloom.” According to him, almost all of
DELIGHT’S colts are models that set up naturally with
a keen head and short ears. This is what the selective
breeder is looking for.
Owner Fray Escue states that to his knowledge, mares
of all types and blood lines have been bred to DELIGHT
in the past three years. Indications are that he is going
to be a “dominant” breeder with the ability to pass on
his own outstanding qualities to the majority of mares.
DELIGHT is a beautiful physical example of what to
look for in a Tennessee Walking Horse. He is a deep chest­
nut color which is almost black. He stands 15-3 hands
and combines an excellent disposition and manners with
show-horse looks. Alert eyes set in the classic Walking
Horse head give him “the look of a champion,” which
indeed he is.
We started to compile a list of the top young horses
now showing that were sired by DELIGHT but found
JUNE, 1967
that it is almost impossible to get a complete list. Rather
than hurt anyone’s feelings by leaving them out, we would
just urge you to stop by some of the top barns and ask
the trainers yourself and watch for them in the showring.
You will be impressed with what you see and the future
should be even brighter with DELIGHT-sired colts.
SUN’S DELIGHT was taken to stand at Harlinsdale
Farm in Franklin, Tennessee after being retired. His suc­
cess as a top attraction there is now well established as
he continues to attract many mares from all over the
country. The facilities at Harlinsdale are second to none
and this is very important to the intelligent breeder. Har-
linsdalc is a breeding establishment devoted to this par­
ticular phase of the horse business. They work hard to
maintain their excellent reputation and SUN’S DELIGHT
is an integral part of this effort.
The stud fee on this horse is $300 when the mare is
found safe in foal. For the breeder with the top mare
and the desire to be selective in his choice of bloodlines,
the SUN’S DELIGHT fee is right in line. This reasonable
stud fee for the outstanding qualities that DELIGHT has
to offer has been an important part of his attractiveness.
Anyone seeking further information on SUN’S DELIGHT
should contact Mr. Harlin Hayes, Mgr., Harlinsdale
Farms, Franklin, Tennessee.
ABOVE and BELOW—Two fine examples of SUN’S DE­
LIGHT colts are shown being displayed at the 1966 Harlins­
dale Sale.
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