Even though it's an amazing 84 years since Champion the Wonder Horse first galloped across our screens, the legendary stallion has gone down in history as one of the first major animal megastars.

A dark sorrel with a white blaze across his face and white stockings on three legs, the magnificent equine made his debut in 1935 on the big screen, first appearing in a film called Melody Trail with Gene Autry - an American actor known as the "singing cowboy".

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Champion the Wonder Horse became Autry's constant onscreen companion for a total of 79 films between 1935 and 1952. He also starred in 91 episodes of the TV series, The Gene Autry Show, from 1950 to 1955 and had his own 26-episode television show, The Adventures of Champion, in 1955 and 1956.

However, what fans may not realise is that the stunning stallion was actually played by three different horses and also a host of stunt doubles! Each horse was a star in his own right, although the original Champion was possibly the most famous, having been previously owned by American film star Tom Mix.

 

First Champion

Early Western star Mix became famous during the silent era, when he appeared in his first movie, The Cowboy Millionaire, in 1909. He was a genuine rancher, as his father had been a stable master, who taught him how to ride and spurred his love of horses.

Pennsylvania-born Mix rode in a parade to honour American President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905, as part of a group of 50 horsemen. He then found work at the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch, where he proved to be a skilled horseman, winning "riding and roping" rodeo-style contests at Canon City in Colorado and Prescott, Arizona.

This led to his film career and he made more than 160 cowboy films throughout the 1920s. He was the clean-cut good guy, who always saved the day. Champion was one of a number of "Wonder Horses" owned by Mix. The first was Tony the Wonder Horse, who did some amazing tricks.

Autry bought Champion the Wonder Horse from Mix for $75 in the early 1930s and the stunning stallion was launched into the spotlight. He starred in 51 films with Autry, who was the equivalent of today's A-list celebrities - he became famous as an actor, musician, singer and songwriter.

Champion's sire was a Morgan trotting horse from Oklahoma. Champion could perform many tricks, such as falling and rolling over, unfastening knots and playing dead. He would also trot over when Autry whistled for him, take a bow and shake his head to reply "yes" or "no" to questions. In 1939, Champion's value had rocketed up to $25,000 - around $1.6 million in today's terms.

 

Champion Junior

Sadly, Champion died in 1943, while Autry was away in the Army during the second world war. He was buried at his owner's ranch. When the star returned from military service, he trained a new horse, Champion Junior, who was a lighter colour and had four white socks. He appeared in Autry's cowboy films from 1946 to 1950.

Champion Junior also made several public appearances with Autry, such as at Madison Square Garden in 1946. At this time, a well-trained pony called Little Champ also joined the star's stable and appeared in three of his films, performing tricks and joining Autry at numerous personal appearances.

After he retired, Champion Junior lived a long and happy life until he died in August 1977, when he was more than 30 years old.

 

Television Champion

Owned by his wife, Ina, Autry's third Wonder Horse, Television Champion, was a light sorrel colour, with four white socks and a wide blaze down his face. He looked like Champion Junior but had to have his mane and tail dyed, as they were the wrong colour.

Television Champion appeared in Autry's later cowboy films, between 1950 and 1953, in all the episodes of the Gene Autry Show and in every episode of The Adventures of Champion in the 1950s.

During the years, several stunt horses also made appearances. Those who appeared most included Lindy Champion, Touring Champion and Champion Three, who lived well into old age until 1990.

The CBS television series was set in the 1880s and its young star, Barry Curtis, played 12-year-old Ricky North, who lived on his uncle's ranch. As well as having an equine companion, Champion, he also had a German Shepherd dog, Rebel, played by canine actor Blaze, who could also do amazing tricks.

The series was filmed by Flying A Productions on location at Lone Pine in California, with Vasquez Rocks being used for the introduction and episodes. The ranch exterior shots were filmed at Andy Jauregui Ranch at Placerita Canyon, Newhall.

 

Modern times

Even after production ended on Champion's TV series in March 1956, the episodes were shown in the UK under the title, Champion the Wonder Horse.

Sung by Mike Stewart, the famous theme tune included the words, "Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly! You'll hear about him everywhere you go - the time will come when everyone will know the name of Champion the Wonder Horse."

The title song was later recorded by Frankie Laine on his album, On The Trail Again. The series was traditional school holiday viewing in Britain and unusually for a black and white series, it was repeated time and time again, until the 1980s.

The show has a timeless quality and its themes of the close bond between humans and animals remain current today.

 

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