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The Gwendraeth Stud was established by John Thomas (the current breeder’s grandfather)
in 1913, when he and his son William Thomas bought two mares at a sale in Manoravon,
Llandeilo. A report of the sale is documented in Dr. Wynne Davies’ publication ‘One
Hundred Glorious Years’ -
“Mr. William Thomas bought lots 23 and 29 in the 1013 sale, the two mares Manoravon Betty for £15 and Manoravon Queenie for £16 to start the Gwendraeth Stud.”
These fillies were used for breeding and farm work. One of their progeny, Fly (f.1922: Welsh Model x Manoravon Betty foaled 1906) produced Megan by Myrtle Welsh Flyer in 1930.
Out of Megan, John Thomas, the current breeder bred Megan II in 1948 by Meiarth Pure Line. Megan II won the cob yearling class at the 1949 Royal Welsh Show beating the 1954 Royal Welsh champion Meiarth King Flyer. Gwendraeth cobs have subsequently won classes at the Royal Welsh four times with Porthvaynor Gold Dust winning the female champion at the 1980 show. She also won eight other championships during that year and over twenty two of her descendants have been exported to various countries.
The Gwendraeth Stud has flourished over the decades with John Thomas expanding the stud but the bloodlines have stayed true to the traditional Welsh Cob with legends such as Hendy Brenin and Brenin Gwalia featuring consistently in the breeding. In recent years Nebo, Fronarth and Geler bloodlines have further developed the Gwendraeth stud as one of consistent quality.
