Barbara L facts for kids
Barbara L
|
|
| Breed | Quarter Horse |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Racing |
| Sire | Patriotic (TB) |
| Grandsire | American Flag (TB) |
| Dam | Big Bess |
| Maternal grandsire | Sonora Harmon |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 1947 |
| Country | United States |
| Color | Bay |
| Breeder | James Hunt |
| Owner | Mr. Lumpkin A. B. Green |
| Honors | |
| Racing record | |
| 81–21–23–9, AAA speed rating Stakes record: 6–4–3 |
|
| Race earnings | |
| $32,836.00 (approximately $358,700 in 2025) | |
| Racing awards | |
| AQHA Race Register of Merit AQHA Superior Race Horse |
|
| Honors | |
| American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame AQHA Dam of Distinction |
|
| Last updated on: September 11, 2009. | |
Barbara L (1947–1977) was a famous American Quarter Horse. She was known for her amazing speed on the racetrack in the early 1950s. She often beat some of the fastest horses of her time. Barbara L won many races and earned a lot of money.
After her racing career, she became a mother horse, called a broodmare. Her foals (baby horses) also became very successful racers. She was so important that she was added to the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2007.
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Barbara L's Early Life
Barbara L was born in 1947. She was a bay colored mare, meaning she had a reddish-brown body and a black mane and tail. Her father, called her sire, was a Thoroughbred stallion named Patriotic. Her mother, called her dam, was a Quarter Horse named Big Bess.
Barbara L was officially registered with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). Her breeder, who helped her come into the world, was James Hunt from Texas. Her owner at the time of registration was A. B. Green from Oklahoma.
When she was a young horse, called a yearling, Barbara L was sold. A man named Mr. Lumpkin bought her for $140. He used her to show off the horse trailers he sold. Later, someone suggested that Mr. Lumpkin should race her. He changed her name from "Anthem" to "Barbara L" to honor his daughter, Barbara. His daughter was also her first trainer.
Barbara L's Racing Career
First Races and Early Wins
Barbara L's first race was in 1949 in Del Rio, Texas. She finished fourth in that race. She didn't win a race until her third try that year. She ran a 440-yard (about 400-meter) course in 23.4 seconds.
Over the next few years, she raced at many tracks. These included Centennial Race Track in Colorado and Los Alamitos Race Track in California. She raced for Mr. Lumpkin until 1952. Then, she was sold to A. B. Green, who raced her until May 1955.
Barbara L's Amazing Achievements
Barbara L raced for seven years, starting 81 times. She won 21 races, finished second 23 times, and third nine times. She earned $32,836 during her racing career. This was a lot of money back then!
She beat many top racehorses of her time. Some of these famous horses were Stella Moore, Johnny Dial, and Monita. Barbara L won six important races called stakes races. She also set two new track records. One was at Centennial for 400 yards in 20.2 seconds. The other was at Los Alamitos for 400 yards in 20.5 seconds. The AQHA gave her special awards for her speed. These were the Race Register of Merit and the Superior Race Horse award.
Barbara L as a Broodmare
Producing Champion Foals
After she stopped racing, Barbara L became a very successful broodmare. A broodmare is a female horse used for breeding. She had 14 foals (baby horses). Eleven of her foals earned their Race Register of Merit from the AQHA. This means they were also very good racehorses.
Four of her foals were incredibly fast. They earned the highest speed rating, AAAT. Together, her foals started 230 races. They won 52 races and earned over $262,000 in prize money. Two of her foals, Cuter Yet and Mr Walt, won Superior Race Horse Awards. Her most successful foal was Barbara 3, who earned more than $100,000!
Notable Offspring
Barbara L's first foal was Mr. Bruce, born in 1956. He won six races and earned over $8,000. Her next foal, Miss Olene, was born in 1957. She won 11 races, including a stakes race. Miss Olene earned over $31,000 and finished third in a very big race called the All American Futurity.
Another famous foal was Mr. Walt, born in 1959. He won nine races and a stakes race. In 1964, Barbara L had Barbara 3. This mare was a huge success, winning seven races and over $100,000. Her foal Cuter Yet, born in 1967, also won two stakes races and earned over $98,000. Barbara L's foals truly carried on her legacy of speed and winning.
Death and Legacy
Barbara L passed away in 1977. A stakes race was named in her honor in New Mexico in 1956. This showed how important she was. In 2006, the AQHA gave her a "Dam of Distinction" award. This award recognizes mares who produce many outstanding offspring. In 2007, Barbara L was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors for a Quarter Horse.
