Bred by Karen McNamara, McNamara Lethal Doll represents the perfect blend of proven Stock Horse performance and carefully selected outcross genetics. She is out of Dollette, a mare bred by the McNamara family and campaigned successfully as an Open Campdraft performer by both Karen and her husband, Steve. Dollette carries strong Australian Stock Horse bloodlines, being by Nabinabah Showgun out of Dollar Miss, and was well-regarded for her ability and consistency in the arena.
Karen’s decision to breed Dollette to the celebrated American bred sire Lethal Lena was a bold step outside her usual breeding program. At the time, Lethal Lena, campaigned in Australia by Huon Smith, was renowned for his exceptional cattle sense, calm temperament, and tremendous try. Karen saw an opportunity to introduce these qualities to her Stock Horse program, testing the first cross to see how the genetics would enhance her performance team.
The result was McNamara Lethal Doll, a mare who lived up to the vision from the very beginning. Broken in at home by Karen and Steve, she was introduced to station work and mustering as a young horse, showing a natural aptitude for cattle and a friendly, easy going temperament. So naturally talented was she that Karen gave her an early start to competition, campdrafting her at just four and a half years old, earlier than her usual practice. Lethal Doll quickly proved she had inherited the best of both sides of her pedigree, placing in numerous drafts in her first season.
Karen soon entrusted the mare to her nephew, Joe Payne, who developed her into a polished and highly competitive campdraft performer. At only her second start under Joe, Lethal Doll won her first Maiden Draft, followed shortly by a Restricted Open victory, elevating her to Open status almost immediately. Her career highlight came with a spectacular win in the Restricted Open at Mundubbera, where she ran off against Wally Rey aboard the legendary One Moore Annie to secure victory. Known for her exceptional cut out ability, Lethal Doll consistently scored highest cut outs and proved herself an honest, cattle savvy mare with an unrelenting desire to work a cow.
In a rare and impressive achievement, Karen also took Lethal Doll to a cutting show mid career, where she claimed another win, an uncommon feat for a dedicated campdraft mare and a testament to her versatility and raw talent. Joe successfully campaigned her for five seasons before she returned home to Karen to commence her broodmare career.
Lethal Doll’s value as a producer is already evident. Her first foal, a Spin Rey filly, was bred as a gift to Joe for his efforts campaigning the mare. Karen also retains a promising rising three year old filly by Gest An Acre, shared with Joe. With her first crop of progeny now reaching performance age, Karen is eager to see these youngsters enter the campdraft arena and carry on their dam’s legacy.
Looking ahead, breeding plans include crossing Lethal Doll with a Conman son, most likely Con One More, to further enhance the proven Stock Horse traits that Karen values. The intention is to breed her annually to high quality Australian Stock Horse sires, combining her unique outcross genetics with the strength and type required to produce top tier, competitive campdraft horses for the Australian industry.
