Old Sorrel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Old Sorrel

–
Breed	Quarter Horse
Sire	Hickory Bill
Grandsire	Peter McCue
Dam	Dr. Rose mare
Maternal grandsire	unknown
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1915
Country	United States
Color	Chestnut
Breeder	George Clegg
Owner	King Ranch
Honors
Honors
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame

Old Sorrel (1915–1945) was a very important Quarter Horse stallion. He was the main horse used to start a special breeding program at the famous King Ranch in Texas. This program helped create many of the Quarter Horses we know today.

The Life of Old Sorrel

Old Sorrel was born in 1915. He was sold to the King Ranch in Texas that same year. He quickly showed how good he was at ranch work. Because he was so good, the King Ranch decided to use him to start their special Quarter Horse breeding program.

Old Sorrel was a sorrel colored stallion. He was bred by George Clegg, who lived in Alice, Texas. Clegg sold Old Sorrel and his mother to the King Ranch for $125. Old Sorrel lived a long life and stayed at the King Ranch until he died in 1945. He was 30 years old when he passed away. His last foals were born in 1943.

Old Sorrel's Amazing Ranch Work

Old Sorrel was known for being an excellent ranch horse. J. K. Northway, who was the veterinarian at the King Ranch, saw Old Sorrel in action many times. He said that people could rope cattle and ride Old Sorrel all morning, and then race him in the afternoon!

Even though Old Sorrel was a stallion, he did regular ranch work every day. He was a "superior cow horse." This means he was amazing at working with cattle. You could use him for roping, cutting, or any other ranch job, and he was always the best.

Bob Kleberg, one of the owners of the King Ranch, also loved Old Sorrel. He managed the ranch from the 1920s to the 1950s. Bob said Old Sorrel was "the best cow horse I ever rode." He also mentioned that Old Sorrel was a good running horse and looked like a racehorse.

When the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) was started in 1940, Old Sorrel was already 25 years old. But the King Ranch made sure he was one of the very first horses to be officially registered. He was given the number 209 in the AQHA registry. His father was Hickory Bill, and his grandfather was Peter McCue. His mother was a mare that George Clegg bought from a dentist named Dr. Rose.

Old Sorrel's Offspring

Old Sorrel had 116 foals that were registered with the AQHA. But his impact was much bigger than just his direct children. The King Ranch used a special breeding method that meant almost every horse they registered from 1940 to the early 1960s was related to Old Sorrel. Many of them were very closely related to him.

Some of his famous children included horses like Cardinal, Solis, Little Richard P-17, Tomate Laureles P-19, Silver King, Macanudo, and Hired Hand. His famous grandsons included Wimpy P-1, Ranchero, Peppy, and Pep-Up. These horses carried on Old Sorrel's amazing qualities.

Honors and Recognition

Old Sorrel was a true legend in the world of Quarter Horses. In 1990, he was honored by being inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for horses who have made a huge impact on the Quarter Horse breed.

Pedigree

Old Sorrel's family tree shows his strong heritage:

• All Breed Pedigree Database Pedigree for Old Sorrel