Saddlebred Museum Receives Gift
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Peter L. Via, a lifelong devotee of Saddlebred history, recently donated a set of seven volumes of stud books cataloging the majority of the breeding career of Kings Genius to the American Saddlebred Museum.
The books span the years from 1936-1942, which encompass most of the stallions years at service. He was bred on a limited basis during his show career, and was sold to Clifford Mooers of Houston, Texas in 1942, where he died in May of 1943. Some of the mares listed in the stud book include Kate Haines, Abies Irish Rose, Blessed Event, Gifted Lady, Ina Walker, Spelling Bee, and Catharine Boyd.
Kings Genius stood at the farm of Douglas Chenault in Richmond, Ky., during the 1936-1942 breeding seasons. The books chronicle his years in Richmond and are chock-full of tidbits about many of the broodmares and their colts. They reflect boarding prices of the day and give the reader an insight into the popularity of Kings Genius.
Kings Genius, sired by Bourbon King and out of Princess Eugenia, was considered by many to be one of the greatest show and breeding stallions of his day. He was three-time winner of the Kentucky State Fairs Five-Gaited Stallion Stake, and four-time Grand Champion of the Chicago International, a feat unequaled by any other stallion of his era.
The Museum is most grateful to Mr. Via for this gift.
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