One of the biggest hits on television is Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner as the head of the Dutton family. Set on a sprawling ranch in modern-day Montana, the series is like The Godfather set in the world of cowboys, land developers, and First Nations tribes, all of whom are vying for the pristine land that backs up against the famed Yellowstone National Park.
Created by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Taylor Sheridan, Yellowstone showcases Quarter Horses like no other drama series. Reining horses reign supreme (sorry, couldn’t resist), but ranch horses, barrel racers, and wild mustangs all factor into plots. And this appreciation of the iconic American breed is not happenstance; Sheridan is a Texan and lifelong horseman. He even wrote himself the part of horse trainer Travis Wheatley on the show. Yup, it’s really him putting those reining horses through their paces.
Sheridan, being the Texas cowboy he is, has gone big into Quarter Horses with his recent purchase – along with an investor group he put together as the majority owner – of the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie. At 266,000 acres that sprawl across four counties, it’s one of the biggest ranches in the Lone Star state. While the final purchase price hasn’t been made public, records show it was listed for $341 million.