King was foaled in 1932, sixty-six years ago, some eight years before the formation of the Quarter Horse registry. He was purchased by Jess Hankins for $800 in 1937. This was the height of the Great Depression. King was a 5 year old stallion when Jess bought him, then becoming King's third owner. He had been used for roping, general ranch work, and had sired a few foals by this time.
King, at maturity stood between 14.2 to 15 hands, well muscled and weighed from 1,150 to 1,200 pounds. His excellent conformation became the standard for the Quarter Horse breed. He was greatly admired for his outstanding disposition and willingness. For years Jess Hankins advertised King as the cornerstone of the breed ... in retrospect, an apt description!
When King died in 1958, at the age of 26, the Quarter Horse Journal noted, "No other stallion now living can boast such a record as King's, and only time will tell when another will equal it." In the 1950's King's breeding fee was $2,500.
King is on the All Time Leading Broodmare Sires of AQHA Champions list. Not only is he ranked #2, with 20 Champions to his credit, he is also represented by 4 sons, Poco Bueno, Royal King, Beaver Creek, and Hank H, and 2 grandsons, Poco Pine and Poco Dell. Of note, a half brother, Ed Echols, appears on the same list. No other sire equals King's standing. Three Bars (TB) and Wimpy are the only other sires represented by more than 1 son. Of the 22 stallions listed, King has direct ties with 8.
King daughters have produced some of the most successful get in Quarter Horse history. Squaw King (a father to daughter breeding), King Bars, Leo Bob, Mora Leo, Red Bars, Bar Feathers, Gay Bar King, Joe Cody, Okie Leo, Thirsty, Coaster, Baca Leo, Puro Tivio, Aledo Bars and Enterprising King are a few of the more famous King grandget. His daughters' (317 in all) produce records are very interesting reading. Many were inbred to his sons, grandsons, and as mentioned above, daughter back to sire. When it's all said and done, his daughters produced offspring earning 13,054 points in all divisions, 210 ROMs, 50 AQHA Championships.
