With the possible exception of the HALS, the BROOKS family of saddle horses was the most respected group of horses in Middle Tennessee prior to the appearance of ALLAN F-1.  The family originated from a horse foaled in Marshall County, Tennessee, in 1845.  The head of the family was BROOKS F-24.   BROOKS F-24 represents an extension of the PILOT family since he was sired by BROWN PILOT, a son of PACING PILOT.  He was foaled in I845 Marshall County where he remained his long life - until 1877.  He was a well-known racehorse in his youth and raced on many tracks Middle Tennessee area.

BROOKS was described as a dark horse 16 hands high, white above the knees and hocks, bald face, and one glass eye.  It was said one could spot a Brooks half a mile off because of their flashy markings, almost invariably a white or bald face and four white legs.  Such a pattern was called 'Brooks markings.   When a 'Brooks marked' horse was mated with one of the roans and grays numerous in the neighborhood at that time, the offspring were really gaudy.  Much of the 'color' in the walking horse today comes from these unions.   The most famous racehorse sired by BROOKS was BONESETTER, foaled in 1871.  According to Vol. I of the Morgan Registry, BONESETTER had a record of 2:19.

One of the interesting circumstances surrounding EARNHART'S BROOKS is the fact that he inherited his BROOKS blood through his dam, not his sire.  EARNHART'S BROOKS' dam was sired by YOUNG PILOT, he by OLD BROOKS, he by BROWN PILOT, and he by OLD PACING PILOT.  Since YOUNG PILOT'S dam was also sired by BROWN PILOT, it gave EARNHART'S BROOKS a double return to the BROOKS and PILOTS on his dam's side.  There seems to be agreement as to the sire of EARNHART'S BROOKS.  Members of the EARNHART family wrote that the sire was YOUNG DRIVER by OLD DRIVER.  Very little is known of the DRIVER history, and nothing has been found concerning the bloodlines involved.   OLD DRIVER was an army horse and while near Mr. Earnhart's, got a colt from a filly running around camp for a Mr. Craig, who moved to Arkansas with the young horse, the sire of now popular EARNHART'S BROOKS.  Since no one knew or cared about the DRIVER blood it was perhaps natural that the BROOKS blood of the Earnhart stallion was emphasized.   

Although EARNHART'S BROOKS sired respectable racehorses (including RATTLER BROOKS that paced a record of 2:23 1/4 on October 14, 1886), it was as a sire of superior saddle horses that his reputation was made.  Of all the Foundation Stock upon which the noble ancestry the Tennessee Walking Horse is based, perhaps none is more basically sound or highly prized than the renowned blood which has been contributed to the breed by EARNHART'S BROOKS.  There is no bloodline that has helped more to build a firmer foundation for the breed than that of this mighty sire.  His contributions are so noticeable wherever pedigrees are compiled that it is thought that 75 percent of Registered Tennessee Walking Horses have more EARNHART'S BROOKS blood than any other Foundation Stallion with the exception ALLAN F- I.    Besides his BROOKS, DRIVER and PILOT blood, EARNHART BROOKS also traces to the WHIPS, and very probably Thoroughbreds TIMOLEON and LEVIATHAN.   

EARNHART'S BROOKS spent most of his life around Shelbyville.  Then, as now, horse people were divided in their loyalties to specific families of horses.  The northern end of Bedford County gave its allegiance to the BROOKS, while the southern portion favored the GREY JOHNS.  The dispute arising between the two factions would often be settled through races or some other type of competition agreed on by the participants.   EARNHART'S BROOKS was a finer horse, and he was also better trained, had more style and a flashy color.  In addition he was an excellent saddle horse.  GREY JOHN had the reputation of having the fastest flat walk in the country.  He was very sturdy, compact and well built.  EARNHART'S BROOKS was probably taller, a better show horse, and as a breeder of mares it is doubted if there was ever a superior.   

The blood of both OLD BROOKS and EARNHART'S BROOKS did its part in establishing the Tennessee Walking Horse.  OLD BROOKS' son, BONESETTER figures in the pedigree of ARGOT HAL JR. F-55;  RATTLER BROOKS and SHOWBOY BROOKS, both sons of EARNHART'S BROOKS, made significant contributions.  Few stallions in the history of the Middle Tennessee area produced more and better brood mares than the Earnhart horse.