Animal Actor. Gene's second screen horse was Champion Jr., a lighter sorrel with four stockings and a narrow blaze, who appeared in films until 1950. While onscreen with Republic, Champion Jr. was billed as "Wonder Horse of the West," and at Columbia, he was known as "World's Wonder Horse." Champion Jr., first appeared in Sioux City Sue in 1946, he was best remembered for jumping atop a specially made piano. He was the best for tricks, and his most memorable role was in The Strawberry Roan, however Champion Jr. was not a Roan, he was part Arabian and would have been considered a Chestnut or a Sorrel. Champion Jr. was his screen name, off screen Gene would call him Wags, which was his actual name. He died in 1977 and was laid to rest on the Melody Ranch, along with all the famous "Champions" of Gene Autry.
Animal Actor. Gene's second screen horse was Champion Jr., a lighter sorrel with four stockings and a narrow blaze, who appeared in films until 1950. While onscreen with Republic, Champion Jr. was billed as "Wonder Horse of the West," and at Columbia, he was known as "World's Wonder Horse." Champion Jr., first appeared in Sioux City Sue in 1946, he was best remembered for jumping atop a specially made piano. He was the best for tricks, and his most memorable role was in The Strawberry Roan, however Champion Jr. was not a Roan, he was part Arabian and would have been considered a Chestnut or a Sorrel. Champion Jr. was his screen name, off screen Gene would call him Wags, which was his actual name. He died in 1977 and was laid to rest on the Melody Ranch, along with all the famous "Champions" of Gene Autry.
Bio by: Shock
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