In episode 20 we take a look into the Blackhome Duke bloodline and talk with Abe Allebach of Windermere Farms about how he found Duke and his thoughts on how Duke changed the course of Percheron history. In this episode we discuss:
How Abe started Windermere Farms
What kind of horses Abe wanted to breed and where he found influence
Reg Black’s Blackhome breeding program and the great Blackhome Dayna Lyn
What Abe saw the first time he laid eyes on Duke
What Abe was trying to improve upon in his herd when he bought Duke
Some of the successful Duke crosses
Some of the most successful Duke offspring in the show ring and breeding barn
How Abe and Gerald went about finding dominant mares to cross with Duke
Abe and Gerald’s favorite Duke daughters
How Abe thinks Duke impacted the breed and where we are headed as a collective group of breeders now
Much, much, much more!!!
Blackhome Dayna Lyn, by Highview Dragano out of College Lynda. Dayna is the mare Abe tried to purchased from Reg Black before buying Duke as a colt.Blackhome Duke being shown to farm visitors by Abe Allebach.MG Bobbie McGee, one of the mares the Allebach’s purchased from the Art Bast Family of Wisconsin. She was bred to duke several times, most notably producing Windermere’s Intruder and Windermere’s Tayler Maid.The prolific Marissa Laet, a McGee daughter bred by Art Bast and Family. She was a full sister to Bobbie McGee and produced several notable Duke sons including All Americans, Windermere’s King Arthur, Windermere’s Blackout and Reserve All American Windermere’s Goliath.Camille, bred by Mrs. R.L. Robinson of Michigan. Camille was purchased as a young mare by the Allebachs to cross on Duke. She produced All American and National Champion Windermere King Cong and 4 time All American Windermere’s Cassandra from this cross as well as the successful broodmare, Windermere’s Katrina.Hazelwood Lady’s Lynda, a Duke daughter off a Marvin Forewood bred mare, MEF Lady Enchhantress. She is the mother of the well known Hazelwood Lynda’s Bravo.The All American mare Windermere’s Queen For a Day, by Duke out of the mare Beth Mill. Pictured here as a two year old, Queen lived into her late twenties.Multi-All American, Windermere’s Joy, one of the most prolific Duke daughters. Joy produced the stallion Windermere’s Just Incredible for the Allebach’s as well as a good string of daughters, including All American Windermere’s Glamor Girl.Windermere’s Tayler Maid, by Duke out of MG’s Bobbie McGee. Tayler was Jr. World Champion mare in 1995, All American and later produced the 2010 Supreme World Champion, Windermere’s North American Maid (sired by Windermere’s Eliminator, a great grandson of Blackhome Duke).Windermere’s Tayler Maid at 12 years of age with Abe and Mary Allebach and their grandchildren.Windermere’s Cassandra, the 4 time All American halter mare. Cassandra is by Duke and out of Camille. She is the dam of the 2008 World Champion Stallion, Windermere’s Inferno.Windsong’s Gambler, the multi All American, multi National Champion son of Blackhome Duke. Gambler is arguably one of the most winning offspring of Duke and he is the sire of the World Champion mare, Windsong’s Jasmine.2002 World Champion Stallion and All American Blue Ribbon Farms Hercules. Hercules is off the prolific mare Bittersweet Cheri Dragano, a Highview Dragano Daughter, making him a 3/4 brother to Windsong’s Gambler.Windermere’s Blackout, an All American son of Duke and Marissa Laet.Windermere King Cong, the All American and National Champion son of Duke and Camille. Cong would go on to be a prolific breeder, following in his sires footsteps, producing multiple National Champion offspring and multiple World Champions as well.Windermere’s Just Incredible, a grandson of Blackhome Duke by way of his mother, Windermere’s Joy. Justin was a Reserve All American halter horse and a competitive hitch horse as well. He is the sire of Jr. World Champion, National Champion and All American, Windermere’s Eliminator, who also sired numerous All American offspring as well as Supreme World Champion Windermere’s North American Maid.Windermere’s North American Maid, 2010 Supreme World Champion. Moose is by Windermere’s Eliminator and out of Windermere’s Tayler Maid make him double bred Duke. He is the sire of the 2015 & 2016 National Champion stallion, Anderson’s Bentley.Blackhome Duke, as he looked shortly before his death, trotting in the stallion pasture of Windermere Farms. This photo, a great illustration of Duke’s athleticism, was snapped by Mary Allebach.
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Th e re are a lot of offspring around that did well.