Huckleberry Bey, model #472, is a Breyer portrait model created by Kathleen Moody in 1999, based on the real Arabian National Champion stallion Huckleberry Bey++ (1976-1992) from the legendary Varian Arabians in California. The original model was a matte bay with three socks and a star and stripe and is now retired. 

There are 32 versions of this popular model (and at least 56 if you include test runs and One of a Kinds), in just about every color under the rainbow—and there is, in fact, a rainbow Huck Bey, as well as a unicorn. Runs of this mold include other portrait models, both modern (TS Black Tie Affair and Atlantis Bey, another Varian horse and a son of Huck Bey) and historical (Napoleon’s Marengo), the fictional Sham from Marguerite Henry’s book “King of the Wind,” and several fantasy versions. This mold has been offered on QVC, JC Penney, Breyer’s Collector’s Club and the Connoisseur series, as well as being a Breyer Tour model, Christmas model, and a show, raffle, and auction prize.

Huckleberry Bey is a lovely model, cherished by many young girls whose first horsey love was the Arabian (I spent hours in the library as a child reading Arabian Horse World) and by adult collectors as well. But it has one drawback—it does not stand on its own and the plastic base that comes with it is easily lost and does not always work as well as it should. There are any number of people who make more sturdy bases for this, and a few other, molds.

My daughter used to show models in the early 2000s. The Huckleberry Bey mold was the most common horse to see in the Breyer OF Arabian Stallion classes, and often did quite well, but it was a near traumatic experience to watch everyone slowly, cautiously place their Hucks on the show table as all the spectators held their breaths. Judges must have been so relieved when these classes were over! Despite being a bit tipsy, this has been a very popular model.

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Article contributed by Kelly Coultas. Thanks Kelly!!