The legacy of a visionary

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​  This page is not only informative, but a tribute to a man with a dream. Jack Selleck lived in Ladysmith, WI. He bought his first team in 1976, but did not own his first Bay Percherons until 1992. It was with this acquisition of a few mares that Jack's vision seemed to take off. He acquired the lovely Bay stallion, Swordpoint Oops from Frank Swords breeding program. With this group of Bay's he has left behind a legacy that once reached almost 30 individuals. Sadly, today only 16 horses stand between a dream staying alive, or eradication from the Percheron breed forever. Jack seems to be the only breeder of Bay Percherons, and I admit that I am surprised that they have managed to survive this long. The bay gene descended in one line through Canadian Percherons, so there is a small possibility that the gene may still survive in a few of the Canadian horses.

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​ Believe it or not, Jack also raised a few blue roans in his time. It is with great regret that I was never able to meet Jack in person. He passed away in 2005, and his remaining horses were dispersed to new owners.

    

      A few people had tried to keep smaller programs together, but for one reason or another had ceased breeding  these horses. Currently one man has 2 individuals, and the only living, breeding stallion left to us. I would like to thank John for his time, patience, and for doing, even on a small scale. Every little bit can help.

  

    Bay is no longer considered a modifier. Bay is genetically known as (AA) which is homozygous for agouti/bay, or (Aa) which is heterozygous for agouti/bay. It also only shows on a black based horse. A chestnut horse can carry agouti, but it will not show, as they are not black based. Bay/Agouti restricts the black color to the legs, mane, and tail of the horse while turning the body anywhere from a light red, to a very dark brown.

 

A chestnut horse who carries the bay gene, when bred to a black based horse can produce a bay if the black based horse throws the black gene back into the mix.



Jack's program utilized the only two lines of bay Percherons that I know of.