There was an error in my previous post about Pan Zarita, where I referred to Joe Blair as the grandsire of Joe Reed. Joe Blair (TB) is actually the sire of Joe Reed. The post has been corrected for the record, but I wanted to point out the error to those who read the earlier post.

While on the subject of Joe Blair, Pan Zarita and Black Gold (previous post), it is interesting to note that Miss Blair, the dam of Joe Blair, was by Bowling Green, who also sired the dam of Useeit. Useeit was the dam of Beggar Boy, a full brother to Black Gold (pictured). Beggar Boy and his stablemate Oklahoma Star, both legendary among rodeo and working cowboys, were owned by Ronald Mason, Nowata, OK.

As happens with full siblings – even twins (something for the “clone-anxious” to ponder), Black Gold and Beggar Boy were different. Although both were black like their sire, Black Toney, who also got 1933 Kentucky Derby winner Brokers Tip, Black Gold proved to be a stayer, while Beggar Boy had speed, but little stamina. Also, Black Gold was sterile, while Beggar Boy, foaled in 1924, the year his big brother won the Kentucky Derby, was prolific.

Although many of his Thoroughbred progeny could go a mile or more, Beggar Boy earned his fame through the explosive speed of his offspring. He and Oklahoma Star were more or less no-miss sires of quarter horse performers for Ronald Mason, and their nick with each others’ daughters remains one of the most outstanding success stories in AQHA history.

Cutters will recognize the name Leo Bingo. Sired by Leo and out of the Beggar Boy daughter, Beggar Girl, Leo Bingo was one of a rare few Quarter Horses to earn a AAA rating on the racetrack, and qualify as an AQHA champion at halter and in cutting.