Joe Hancock (1926–1943) was an influential

Quarter Horse The American Quarter Horse, or Quarter Horse, is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name is derived from its ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less; some have been clocked at s ...

sire in the early years of the

American Quarter Horse Association The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), based in Amarillo, Texas, is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, improvement and record-keeping of the American Quarter Horse. The association sanctions many competitive even ...

(or AQHA).

Life

Joe Hancock was registered as number 455 in the American Quarter Horse Association (or AQHA).AQHA ''Official Stud Book and Registry Combined 1–5'' p. 93 He was foaled most probably in 1926, although the dates are somewhat hazy.Close and Simmons (ed.) ''Legends: Outstanding Quarter Horse Stallions and Mares'' p. 88 He was a brown

stallion A stallion is a male horse that has not been gelded (castrated). Stallions follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, "cresty" nec ...

, registered as bred by an unknown breeder, but later research determined that his breeder was John Jackson Hancock. His sire was a son of Peter McCue named John Wilkens and his dam was a half

Percheron The Percheron is a breed of draft horse that originated in the Huisne river valley in western France, part of the former Perche province from which the breed takes its name. Usually gray or black in color, Percherons are well muscled, and k ...

mare, although the AQHA's stud book gives his dam as "unknown."Beckman "Legends: Joe Hancock" ''Quarter Horse Journal'' pp. 36–37 John Wilkens was inbred to the Thoroughbred stallion Voltigeur, as well as being a descendant of the Thoroughbred Glencoe.Joe Hancock Pedigree at All Breed Pedigree
retrieved on June 22, 2007 When he was registered, he was owned by the Tom L. Burnett Estate in Fort Worth, Texas, which later became the 6666 Ranch.The 6666 Story
retrieved September 1, 2017 Joe Hancock had a streak on his face and, when grown, stood 15.3 hands high. Unlike his sire, he had good feet.

Racing career

Joe Hancock raced in match races for a number of years, although no official records of these races exist. At one point, there were advertisements run in the '' Fort Worth Star Telegram'' and the '' Daily Oklahoman'' stating that "Joe Hancock is open to the world, from standing start to ths of a mile." There were no folks willing to match their horses against Joe Hancock. All of Joe Hancock's racing took place before the formation of the AQHA in 1940.

Breeding record

By the time the AQHA was founded, Joe Hancock was busy siring ranch horses on the 6666 Ranch. He sired seven

foal A foal is an equine up to one year old; this term is used mainly for horses, but can be used for donkeys. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, and are used until the horse is three or four. When the foal i ...

s that earned their Race Register of Merit with the AQHA.Wagoner ''Quarter Racing Digest'' p. 553 He also sired two foals that earned their Performance Register of Merit with the AQHA – Brown Joe Hancock and Red Man.Wagoner ''Quarter Horse Reference 1974 Edition'' p. 314

Death and honors

Joe Hancock died in 1943 and in 1992 he was inducted into the

AQHA Hall of Fame The American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum was created by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), based in Amarillo, Texas. Ground breaking construction of the Hall of Fame Museum began in 1989. The distinction is earned by people an ...

. In 2007 ''Western Horseman'' magazine chose Joe Hancock as number three on their list of top ten ranch horse bloodlines.Denison and Hecox "Top Ten Ranch Horse Bloodlines" ''Western Horseman'' pp. 34–41

Pedigree

Notes

References

All Breed Pedigree Database Pedigree of Joe Hancock
retrieved on June 22, 2007
American Quarter Horse Foundation – Joe Hancock
accessed on September 1, 2017
AQHA Hall of Fame
accessed on September 1, 2017 * * * * *

' retrieved July 4, 2007 * *

External links

Joe Hancock at Quarter Horse Directory
{{short description, Quarter Horse stallion and sire American Quarter Horse racehorses American Quarter Horse sires 1926 racehorse births 1943 racehorse deaths