Brad Len

p>Buddy Preston called in 1968 and ordered a portrait of his World  Champion (1967 & 1968) racing gelding Brad Len. He had special thoughts of what he wanted and exactly how he wanted it. Buddy had watched him run many times seeing a special look in his eye and a spring to his step. Buddy said when he saw that "look" he bet a lot of money on him and he  never failed. I had to (must) capture that look in oil, size 36" x 40."

Brad Len was born in 1964. Sired by Bradleys Hank by Harlan, not a normal world champion pedigree, yet his dam, a Thoroughbred grand daughter of Bull Lea was packed with speed. Brad Len's career started as a pony horse and by surprise, one day, when called on, he showed he could outrun the fastest runners. When the pony horse started out- running everything his ponying days were over. The rest is Brad Len history. Brad Len's training and discovery was a result of the famous horseman, Dale Hunt of Fort Collins, Co.

I researched Brad Len at Centennial Race Track and went to Ruidoso the week of the All American and researched for the painting there. I spent time in the jockey room doing sketches of Richard Bickle the jockey. Buddy wanted Ruidoso as the background. The painting had to look exactly like the famous jockey.

Take a close look at "western" art and notice many artist will turn heads to avoid the work of painting faces and they will hide horse's hooves in  grass or water. Eyes, faces and hooves are serious detail. They take time. Yet, if an artist is serious, you do the research and work until it is right.  There are people who know Richard. Someone shod Brad Len and knew where every nail was placed. Someone lives at Ruidoso and knows the scene. Someone gives leg rub-downs and knows every bone and vein. End result--Buddy loved the painting.

Hugh C. "Buddy" Preston, Jr, loved speed horses. At one time his farm near Quanah, Texas was home to over 100 brood mares and racing prospects. To pay the bills, when his horses did not, he owned the 500 employee Preston Dairy at Wichita Falls, TX, and also distributed Minute Maid orange juice from Mexico to St Louis. Buddy was the only multimillionaire in the area that did not earn it from oil money.

I had talked to Buddy about my lucrative Texas Longhorn business and he was equally excited. I was at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge September of 1970 and had purchased 6 head of the best heifers at auction. Buddy showed up after the sale was over and was devastated  that he did not arrive in time to purchase. I did not want to, but I let him buy 4 of my purchases--I did not want to at all. I couldn't tell him no.

Buddy passed away December 9, 1982 on a flight back from the  Bahamas. His family had a yard sale and the Brad Len original painting sold for $200 to the ranch veterinarian.