Page 36 - Speedhorse November 2019

The Story of
ROCKET BAR
The Beginning, Part 1
The great Thoroughbred Three Bars became a legend in the industry as the cornerstone of the American Quarter Horse. His blood flows in all facets of this industry. He appears in all parts of the pedigree as an influence second to none by virtue of the stallions and mares that carry his blood. He is especially successful via the racing sire line he spawned through his descendants Dash For Cash and First Down Dash.
The role of Three Bars as a sire of Quarter Horses got off to a slow start the first few
years he stood in Arizona. Then in 1952, Walter Merrick leased Three Bars and, as
they say, the rest is history. That was when breeders discovered his ability to sire good racehorses. But before Three Bars left Arizona, he sired a key part in his influence through
his Thoroughbred son Rocket Bar (the sire of Rocket Wrangler, the sire of Dash For Cash, the sire of First Down Dash).
by Larry Thornton
Walt Wiggins, founder of Speedhorse, once wrote, “If ever a horse was born with the look of eagles, it was Rocket Bar.” Rocket Bar not only shows the look of an eagle, but the heart of a lion, racing in pain to become a legend as a very fast race horse and then as a sire of very fast horses.
Rocket Bar was bred by Charles H. Reed. He was purchased as a weanling by Dr. Harold Donovan of Raton, New Mexico. Donovan had started a hospital near La Mesa Park. He paid $5,000 for the colt. He sent the colt to the track in 1953 and raced him until 1958.
The first race for Rocket Bar came at La Mesa Park when he won his first out going four furlongs in 48 seconds, winning the race by 45 lengths. His second start came two weeks later on a muddy track that led to a stumble and an injured left knee. Despite the injury, he regained his footing and stride to win the race by daylight. This performance in itself is a testimony to the heart this horse displayed in his race career.