Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Equine Film Stars

TomMix

Tom Mix & Tony

When silent screen legend Tom Mix found Tony, he was considered untrainaable. Horse wrangler Pat Crissman sold Tom the large sorrel for exactly $12.50. Tom saw something special in Tony from the start, and and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Tony became so popular that he was the star of some of their films together. He knew lots of tricks--Tom said he never "taught him tricks", he just explained what he wanted him to do, and he did it, but if the stunts were dangerous, like charging down a rocky hillside or being leaped onto from a train, a double horse was always used.

Tom would never risk Tony on the rough stuff. Tony was at first jealous of one of his doubles, a horse named Buster. He would snort and shake his head when Tom mounted up on Buster. For his entire life, no person but Tom ever sat on Tony's back.

Tom and Tony travelled around the country promoting their films and making personal appearances, and often it was Tony who was the star. Tony traveled with Mix to all (at that time) 48 states as well as Mexico, Canada and Europe, where he performed for royalty and made appearances in 25 major European cities. He met President Harding at the White house. His hoof prints are in the cement sidewalk in front of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater. While at the height of his fame Tony received thousands of fan letters a week.

By the year 1932, Tony had reached the age of 22 and Mix retired him to his ranch. In 1940, Tom Mix died in an automobile crash and his will left Tony to Mix's long time friend D. Parker. Tony died at age 32.