Page 36 - July 2017

DEPTH CHARGE
A STORY OF TWISTS AND TURNS THAT HAD A PROFOUND INFLUENCE ON THE QUARTER HORSE INDUSTRY
by Larry Thornton
Depth Charge is one of the greatest stallions to impact the racing Ameri- can Quarter Horse. The story of
Depth Charge is filled with twists and turns; however, that could have led to his being lost in history. But like many great stallions, he overcame the obstacles to enter the AQHA Hall of Fame as a sire with a deep and lasting influence on the breed.
Depth Charge was foaled in 1941 at Leona Farms in Carey, Illinois. The farm was owned by John D. Hertz, Sr. and his wife Fannie, the listed breeders of Depth Charge. John D. Hertz, Sr. was the founder of such automobile businesses as Hertz Rent A Car and the Yellow Cab Company. They were well known in horse racing by the time
Depth Charge was born as the owners of 1928 Kentucky Derby winner Reigh Count. Depth Charge is by Bold Venture and out
of the Hertz owned mare Quickly, by Haste. Depth Charge was sold as a weanling to the King Ranch of Kingsville, Texas, which is the first twist in his story that set him on the road to being an influence on the Quarter Horse breed. The King Ranch is noted for the de- velopment of the Old Sorrel Line of Quarter Horses and the Santa Gertrudis breed of beef cattle. The King Ranch also contributed to Quarter Horse racing as the owner and/or breeder of horses like the Thoroughbreds Wo- ven Web, aka “Miss Princess,” Chicaro, Top Deck and Depth Charge, who are all impor- tant contributors to the Quarter Horse breed.
The King Ranch entered Thoroughbred racing in the mid 1930’s, and by 1941 they were well on their way to prominence in the racing industry. They bought Bold Venture just after his win in the 1936 Kentucky Derby and stood him at their King Ranch Kentucky Division.
Depth Charge was sent to the King Ranch in Texas to await his racing career as a con- tender for such races as the Kentucky Derby. He was conditioned by Max Hirsch, who had been the trainer of his sire Bold Venture and who also trained top King Ranch runners such as 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault and 1950 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Middleground. Both runners were also sired by Bold Venture.
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