Leo (horse) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Leo

Breed	Quarter Horse
Discipline	Racing
Sire	Joe Reed II
Grandsire	Joe Reed P-3
Dam	Little Fanny
Maternal grandsire	Joe Reed P-3
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1940
Country	United States
Color	Sorrel
Breeder	J. W. House
Owner	Bud Warren John Tillman Gene Moore
Honors
Racing awards
A speed rating
Honors
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame

Leo (1940–1967) was a very important Quarter Horse stallion. He was one of the first and most famous sires (fathers) in the early days of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). His children and grandchildren became champions in racing and shows.

Leo's Early Life

Leo was born in 1940. He was a sorrel (a reddish-brown color) stallion, which means he was a male horse. His breeder was J. W. House from Cameron, Texas. Later, he was owned by E. M. Salinas.

Leo had a special family tree. Both his father and mother were sired by a famous horse named Joe Reed P-3. This made Leo a "double grandson" of Joe Reed P-3. He was officially registered with the AQHA as number 1335.

Racing Career

Leo was a fast horse! He raced when the American Quarter Racing Association was just starting. In 1944, he earned a special "Race Register of Merit." This showed he was a top racer. He also got an "A speed rating," which means he was very quick.

Leo raced mostly in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. At one point, he was owned by John W. Tillman. Leo even set a track record there! He ran 300 yards (about 274 meters) in just 16.0 seconds. People say he won 20 out of 22 match races, which are races between just two horses.

John Tillman said Leo had a "wonderful disposition." This means he was always friendly and easy to handle. He was also great at starting races and had the "heart and ability" to win, even if he started behind.

Later, Tillman sold Leo to Gene Moore. In 1946, Leo had a bad accident with a trailer. He was hurt badly, but he recovered. He raced again, but he wasn't as fast as before. In 1947, Bud Warren bought Leo. Warren decided to let Leo retire from racing and focus on being a full-time sire. Leo lived until 1967.

Amazing Offspring

Leo became famous for the many champion horses he sired. His children were great racers and show horses.

Some of his famous offspring include:

• Miss Meyers
• Palleo Pete
• Robin Reed
• Hygro Leo
• Holey Sox
• Leo Tag
• Leolita
• Okie Leo
• Tiger Leo

Leo sired 24 horses that won an AQHA Championship. He also had 211 children who earned a Race Register of Merit! One of his sons, Leo Maudie, won the highest honor from the AQHA in 1971. This was called an AQHA Supreme Championship.

Leo was also excellent at siring broodmares (female horses used for breeding). Many of his daughters grew up to have their own champion racehorses and show horses.

• His daughter, Leota W, was the Co-Champion Quarter Running Two-Year-Old Filly in 1947.
• Another daughter, Leola, was the first Quarter Horse to win three big races called "futurities." She won the Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming Futurities.
• His son, Palleo Pete, was named the Champion Quarter Running Stallion in 1954.

Honors

Because of his huge impact on the breed, Leo was honored in 1989. He was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for horses who have made a big difference.

Pedigree

• All Breed Pedigree Database Pedigree of Leo retrieved on June 22, 2007