He wasn't the biggest name on the track. Honestly, if you look back at the 1960s American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) records, you might miss him if you're just scanning for the legends like Three Bars or Dash For Cash. But Chunk of Gold occupies a specific, almost cult-like space in pedigree circles. When people start digging into a Chunk of Gold horse pedigree, they usually find a lineage that isn't just about raw speed, but about that specific "blue hen" foundation that kept the Quarter Horse industry grounded as it transitioned from cow horses to track superstars.
It’s about the blood.
Chunk of Gold, a 1960 stallion, was a son of Grey Badger II. Now, if you know anything about the "Badger" lines, you know they were known for grit. They were stout. They had bone. But Chunk of Gold brought something else to the table—a specific nick that breeders in the Southwest became obsessed with during the late 20th century. He was out of a mare named Goldie's Dream, who was a daughter of Double Bid.
The Grey Badger II Connection
You can't talk about this horse without talking about Grey Badger II. That horse was a gray speed demon that basically redefined what a "ranch horse that could run" looked like. By the time Chunk of Gold hit the ground, the industry was starting to lean heavily into Thoroughbred infusions. Everyone wanted more leg, more lung capacity, and more speed. But the Grey Badger II line provided the "brakes" and the "mind."
When you look at a pedigree featuring Chunk of Gold, you're looking at a horse that likely possesses a shorter back and powerful hocks. He was a "speed index" horse before the modern Speed Index (SI) system became the end-all-be-all of the AQHA. He was a AAA-rated runner. That meant something back then. It meant you weren't just fast for a few yards; you had the heart to finish the 440.
Why the Chunk of Gold Horse Pedigree Keeps Popping Up
So, why are we talking about a horse born over sixty years ago? It's the mares.
Basically, Chunk of Gold became a phenomenal broodmare sire. His daughters were kept back by savvy breeders who realized that while the stallions were getting taller and more "Thoroughbredy," the Chunk of Gold mares were keeping the "Quarter" in Quarter Horse. They had the heavy muscle. They had the calm temperament.
I’ve seen old-timers at auctions in Texas and Oklahoma see "Chunk of Gold" three or four generations back on a papers and nod. They know. It’s like a secret handshake for people who value a horse that won't blow up under pressure but can still clock a 220-yard dash in their sleep.
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Breaking Down the Sire Line
Chunk of Gold's sire, Grey Badger II, was by Midnight Jr. and out of a Grey Badger mare. It’s almost recursive. It’s foundation blood.
- Grey Badger II: The source of the color (often) and the sheer explosive power from a standstill.
- Goldie's Dream: His dam, bringing in the Double Bid blood, which was legendary for its versatility.
If you find a horse today with this pedigree, you’re likely looking at a "barrel horse" prospect or a high-end ranch sorter. Why? Because these horses can turn. They aren't just straight-line sprinters. A lot of the modern "super-stallions" produce horses that are great at 440 yards but can't turn a barrel to save their lives because they are too long and too stiff. Chunk of Gold added a certain "compactness" that is sorely missing in some modern racing lines.
The Myth of the "Chunk" Name
Some folks think he was named "Chunk" because he was a big, beefy horse. Kinda. In the old days, naming conventions weren't as scrutinized as they are now with the AQHA's strict character limits and "no duplicates" rules. He was just a solid, chunky individual. He looked like a Quarter Horse should.
Think about the horses of that era. You had Go Man Go shaking things up. You had the beginnings of the Dash For Cash era on the horizon. Amidst all that flash, Chunk of Gold was the "worker's horse." He stood at stud and just produced consistency. Consistency is boring for headlines, but it's gold for breeders' bank accounts.
Performance and the AAA Rating
In the 1960s, getting a AAA rating was the gold standard. It wasn't like today where a horse can get a high SI on a fast track with a tailwind and suddenly be marketed as a legend. Back then, you had to prove it against the best. Chunk of Gold did. He wasn't just a "halter horse" that looked pretty; he had the papers and the track record to back up the muscle.
When you analyze a Chunk of Gold horse pedigree, you'll often see him paired with mares that have Leo or Three Bars blood. This was the "Golden Cross" of the mid-century. You took the refinement of Three Bars (TB) and crossed it with the stoutness of the Badger/Chunk lines. The result was a horse that could run a hole in the wind but still be used to catch a cow on Monday morning.
Where Can You Find This Bloodline Today?
You won't find it on the front page of the "all-time leading sires" lists anymore. Time has moved on. However, if you look at the pedigrees of some of the top "foundation" breeders—the ones who refuse to let the old lines die—Chunk of Gold is still there, lurking in the 4th, 5th, and 6th generations.
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Look for:
- Texas Ranch Sires: Many working ranches in North Texas still prize the Grey Badger II/Chunk of Gold lineage for its durability.
- Barrel Racing "Blue Hen" Mares: Many of the best barrel producers in the world have these old speed lines tucked away in the bottom of their papers.
- Foundation Quarter Horse Associations: Organizations like the FQHA or NFQHA (National Foundation Quarter Horse Association) specifically look for high percentages of these types of horses.
The reality is that modern Quarter Horses are becoming more specialized. You have "cutters" and you have "racers," and they rarely look like the same breed anymore. Chunk of Gold was from a time when they were the same. He represents a bridge.
Evaluating the Pedigree for Purchase
If you're looking at a horse and see Chunk of Gold in the lineage, don't just assume it’s a "go-fast" horse. Look at the balance.
Is the horse "doubled up" on these lines? Sometimes "linebreeding" (which is just a fancy word for breeding relatives) to Chunk of Gold was done to "fix" a certain type. If you see him twice in a five-generation pedigree, that horse is likely to be very "typey"—short ears, big eyes, massive chest, and a motor that doesn't quit.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is thinking these old lines are "outdated." Genetics don't have an expiration date. That explosive fast-twitch muscle fiber that made Chunk of Gold a AAA runner is the same muscle fiber that makes a horse a world-class head horse in the rodeo arena today.
Nuance in the "Badger" Temperament
One thing to watch out for: the Badger horses could be "cow fresh." They had a lot of "feel." That means they were sensitive. Some people interpreted this as being "bronky," but really, they just had a lot of life in them. Chunk of Gold passed down that alertness.
You've gotta be a hand to ride some of these old-school speed horses. They aren't "dead heads." They want to do something. If you give them a job, they are the best partners in the world. If you let them sit in a stall 23 hours a day, they might get a little "cinchy." It's just the nature of the beast.
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Actionable Insights for Horse Owners
If you're lucky enough to own a horse with this breeding, here’s what you need to do to maximize that heritage.
Don't skip the foundation training. Because these horses have a lot of "gas," people often try to start them too fast on the barrels or the track. Take your time. Let that Grey Badger II bone density develop. These horses often don't fully mature until they are 5 or 6 years old.
Watch the feet. One characteristic of some of these older lines is that they had plenty of bone but sometimes smaller feet relative to their body mass. Ensure your farrier is keeping a good heel and not letting them get "long-toed and low-heeled," which can be a death sentence for a horse with this much power in the hindquarters.
Value the "Bottom Side." If you have a mare with Chunk of Gold on her papers, she is a goldmine for a "hybrid" breeding program. Cross her with a modern "Stoli" or "Corona Cartel" stallion. You’ll get the modern "jet" speed mixed with that old-school "tank" durability. It’s a combination that wins more than just races—it wins longevity.
Understanding the Chunk of Gold horse pedigree isn't just a history lesson. It's about recognizing quality when you see it on a set of registration papers. It’s about knowing that before there were million-dollar futurities, there were horses that worked for a living and ran for fun. Chunk of Gold was one of the best of them.
Next time you're at a horse show or a ranch, and you see a gray or a stout sorrel that just seems to "stand over more ground" than the others, ask about the papers. Don't be surprised if you find a little bit of "Chunk" hidden in there. It’s the kind of blood that keeps the Quarter Horse industry moving forward by staying rooted in its past.
Practical Next Steps:
- Check your horse's papers on the AQHA's "Pedigree Online" or "All Breed Pedigree" database.
- Look for the registration number #0118029 (that's Chunk of Gold).
- Trace back at least 6 generations; the influence of these foundation sires is often strongest when it appears as a "reinforcing" line rather than a primary sire.
- If you are buying a prospect, prioritize "straight" legs and a "short" cannon bone—traits typically associated with this lineage that prevent lameness in high-impact sports.