Registration:  ApHC #4164
Foaled:  June 9, 1956
Died:     1976
Color:  Black w/blanket

This black, halo-spotted Appaloosa attracted attention from the day he was born until he passed away at age 20. His classic coloration made him a traffic-stopping copy of his dam, also a spotted-blanketed black Appaloosa (and descendant of another Appaloosa great, Mansfield's Comanche). His ability to sire outstanding offspring brought mares to his court year after year; in 1971 alone, he stood to a book of 60 mares.

Trademarks of his get included chiseled heads, trim throatlatches, supple necks, strong backs and loins, and heavy gaskins -- qualities that gave him halter winners, performance champions and race winners. What's more, his sons and daughters often were top breeding animals in their own right. Though he passed away 21 years ago, Top Hat H's name is found in such modern-day pedigrees as those of Sundown Q, Rock Star, Kelo Connection, and Roman Jet.

Top Hat H. was bred by Texan Ace Hooper, and sold to businessman W. F. "Bud" Hicks at the 1961 National Appaloosa Sale in Fort Worth. Hicks gave horseman Harry Reed the responsibility of showing and breeding the black and white horse. (Reed's successes eventually would lead him to the employ of Carl Miles Jr., and to the chance to manage another great Appaloosa's career -- that of Prince Plaudit.) Hicks sold Top Hat H. in 1965, but bought him back four years later for sentimental reasons, and owned him until he died.

{The above article and accompanying photograph were originally published in the Appaloosa Journal, July 1997, Vol 51, No. 7, "Appaloosa Bloodlines Top Hat H." and are used here by permission.}

Copyright © 1997 Appaloosa Horse Club. All rights reserved.