Horse History

1803 The earliest mention of horses at Santa Anita occurs in the inventory of the estate of José Manuel Gómez. The inventory claimed, that at the time of his death, he owned: 44 cattle, 4,000 goats and sheep, 351 mules and horses, including one named "Pintitas. " Manuel's father, José Antonio Gómez received in payment of his share 100 breeding mares, cows, ten gentle horses, one yoke of oxen and other horses, with the same left to Manuel's widow, María Gregoria Ballí de Gómez.

1860 Doña Salomé Ballí de Young files a claim with the United States government for 3 mules and 1 horse, each at $50 per head.

1861-1862 The value of a horse was approximately $50 per head. John McAllen sold $2,100 worth of horses from the Santa Anita to the Mexican army. This was 42 head.

1864 It cost $102 in duties to cross one horse from Brownsville to Matamoros.

1865 John McAllen bought horses from the quartermaster at Fort Brown, which were liquidated after the war.

1868 McAllen hired F.F. Fenn (Gilbert Kingsbury) to show horses for him.

1866-1872 Santa Anita suffered a loss of 250 horses to rustling. A claim filed with the U.S. Govenment claimed they were worth $60 each.

1878 Seventy-five horses participated in a drive up the Chisholm Trail to Kansas and were likely sold upon their arrival.

1900 When James B. McAllen offered to sell his interest in Santa Anita to William E. Halsell, his share of the stock amounted to 400 head of horses. At the time, Halsell owned 1/4 of the ranch, which was not yet fenced. Therefore, it seems that the Santa Anita had about 1,600 head of horses on it at that time. This was during a drought as well. James B. McAllen valued the horses at $3 per head.

1908 James B. McAllen purchased a Morgan trotting stallion in Kentucky to introduce into the herd at San Juanito.

1943 Bill Warren 000670. Argyle A. McAllen began introducing stallions to the ranch from other regions of Texas. Argyle bought Bill Warren 1939. A sorrel stallion that began a lasting relationship with quarter horses and their importance on the ranch. He is a paternal grandson to Traveler, and a maternal grandson to Little Joe 1. Bred by the founding president of the AQHA, Bill Warren. Click here for pedigree.

1955 Boiler Maker 0001743. Purchased by Argyle in 1955, a chestnut stallion with a tremendous build, very large in height and weight. A son of Old Sorrel 1915 and maternal grandson to Chicaro (TB) 1923. His confirmation was his greatest asset. A foundation quarter horse. Click here for pedigree.

1958 Gold Snip 0116909. Gold Snip was purchased from Byrnie Jamesl owner of King P234 1932. He was a black stallion, well muscled with plenty of "cow sense." Many brood mares were kept from this stallion adding color to the remuda, especially duns. A grandson to King P234 and son to Black Gold King 1949. He brought confirmation and work ability to our herd. Click here for pedigree.

1968 Abejero 0617061. Abejero was purchased from King Ranch, Inc. Annual Horse Sale. A deep chested, chestnut stallion, his greatest asset was his ability to work cattle. He added stamina and intelligence to the remuda and many broodmares to the manada. He was a paternal great-grandson of Hired Hand 1943, maternal great-grandson to Wimpy 1937, and a paternal grandson to Bill Cody 1944. Old Sorrel 1915 appears more than three times in his pedigree. Click here for pedigree.

1980 Peppys Gift 1706135. Argyle was gifted a stallion by Tom T. East of Linn, Texas. A zebra stripped, line back dun, stud colt, a proud addition to our horse herd. He is a paternal grandson of Mr. San Peppy and a maternal great-grandson to Trinidad. This stallion reflects the essence of South Texas quarter horse breeding. Not a large horse by any means, but very quick, agile, and most of all, intelligent. He is truly the last of his kind, a South Texas cow horse. His colts are no exception; they are all born with his talent and confirmation. Many brood mares were kept from this stallion. Click here for pedigree.

1994 Par Three Jack 2612353. Par Three Jack was purchased from El Mileño Ranch of Rio Grande City, Texas. He is a well muscled, heavy boned, sorrel stallion with an outstanding pedigree. He is a son of Par Three and maternal grandson to Two-Eyed Jack. He is a pleasure to have. His colts carry his gentle disposition and train easily. His stout confirmation and "cow sense" also show in his offspring. Click here for pedigree.

2000 Many mares were purchased from the W.T. Waggoner Ranch in hopes of replicating old bloodlines of South Texas Horses.

2005 Zanderfords Cowboy was purchased from Ledford Ranch, Durango, Colorado. He is directly decended from old bloodlines of King Ranch breeding.