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World Grand Champion in 1973

Delight Bumin Around 1973

Delight Bumin Around  #681087

Delight Bumin Around was sired by the famed stallion, Sun’s Delight D., the 1963 World Grand Champion.  His dam was Impala’s Shadowette.  “Bum” was the first horse of this bloodline to win the W. G. Ch.  He was foaled in 1968 and bred by and raised by J. Mac Carter of Murfreesboro, TN.

As a colt,  Bum attracted the acclaim of many top horsemen, who said he had the makings of a champion.  In 1969, he was purchased by Mary and John C. Miller of Anchorage, Alaska, who were relatively new to the horse business at that time.  Bum took his training well, and he began his show ring career under the expert guidance of trainer, Billy Gray.  The horse was shown sparingly as a two-year-old.  He defeated all comers, and ended the season by winning the Two Year Old Southern Championship in Montgomery, Alabama.  This was his first step toward other championships here.

Bum and Billy Gray

By 1971, Bum had gained recognition throughout the Walking horse world, attracting attention everywhere with his size, natural ability and intelligence.  His owners, the Millers were constantly turning down offers from interested horsemen who were looking for a potential champion.

He was shown only a few times that year, but did return to the Southern Championship in Montgomery.  He made the best show of his third year, and won the Southern title again.  Fans applauded the true greatness of this young horse.

In 1972, Billy Gray and Delight Bumin Around made their first try for the roses, but had to settle for Reserve Grand Champion that year.  It was Bum’s only defeat in his four years as a show horse.

As a four-year-old, Bum had reached a level of ability equal to that of many aged horses.  Throughout the 1972 season, he was shown in Junior events and Stakes class competition, as he prepared for his return to the Celebration ring.  He made his third trip to Montgomery, capturing the Championship Stakes to become the 1972 Southern Champion.

Bum and Billy Taking home the blue at the Montgomery Southern Championship

After one successful appearance in early 1973, he was injured slightly and his training was halted for a time, but by August, he was ready to carry Billy Gray into the Celebration ring once more. They made a brilliant performance in the Grand Championship Stakes Class, and Delight Bumin Around was declared the 1973 World Grand Champion.

After the Celebration, the Millers decided that their champion would not be placed in ring competition again. With appropriate ceremonies, this great stallion was retired at the Southern Championship Show in Montgomery, Alabama, and put at stud with S. W. Beech and Sons Stable near Belfast, TN.

Bum with Billy Gray and S. W. Beech

Delight Bumin Around went into the record books as one of the all time great walking horse performers. He was shown a total of twenty nine times during his four year career and was the class winner every time except one.  He was considered to be one of the most beautiful Tennessee Walking Horses of all time.

Darcy Gallager, who was a stallion manager at Ten-Tucky Stables sent these pictures of Delight Bumin Around - These are really cool.  Mrs. Miller and her husband owned Ten-Tucky Stable and owned Delight Bumin Around.

This is him with Mr. Miller. 

Interview with Billy Gray

If you wish to print off this pedigree, click HERE to load a black and white copy.

Delight Bumin Around Pedigree

If you have a story or photos of  Delight Bumin Around that you would like added to this page,
please forward them to Walkers West.

<==1972   1974==>

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