Inthepast Joe-Cody web

In the Past: Joe Cody

Inthepast Joe-Cody webJoe Cody (1952-1989) • QHN File Photo

The legend of Joe Cody began in February 1952, when the handsome son of Bill Cody, the American Quarter Horse Association’s (AQHA) first Honor Roll halter champion, out of the King P-234 daughter Taboo, was born in Texas. Joe Cody was campaigned mainly in cutting during his show career. He changed hands several times before arriving, in 1964, at his final destination and home for life – C.T. “Tom” Fuller’s Willow Brook Farm in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.

An AQHA and National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Cody sired AQHA Superior and Register of Merit (ROM) award earners, AQHA World Champions and High-Point winners. His offspring earned money in the NRHA, National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) and National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA). Legendary reining trainer Bob Loomis, of Marietta, Oklahoma, showed two Joe Cody foals to NRHA Futurity Open championships – Cassandra Cody in 1979 and Topsail Cody in 1980.

NRHA Hall of Fame inductee and Million Dollar Sire Topsail Cody, out of Doc Bar Linda, went on to build his own outstanding breeding reputation. His top money-earner, Topsails Rien Maker, is a leading reined cow horse performer with earnings of $371,472. Another of Topsail Cody’s sons, Topsail Whiz, upheld his sire and grandsire’s outstanding breeding reputations, siring offspring who have won more than $10 million in the reining pen.

Joe Cody’s last breeding season was in 1976. He died 13 years later, in July 1989, at age 37. The stallion was buried on a hill overlooking Willow Brook Farm’s outdoor arena.

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