Brilliant 1271 and Oaklawn Farm

Brilliant 1271 in 1890
Imported to Oaklawn Farm from

France by M.W. Dunham in 1881

Brilliant was Mark Dunham's most valuable sire that stood for Oaklawn Farm in Wayne, Illinois for 15 years.  He was described in Oaklawn's catalog in 1892 as, "Weight 1,850; 16 hands high, long and very round body; extraordinary length of quarters, which are broad and level; very sloping shoulders of unusual depth; neck rather short; medium throttle; fine ear; wide between the eyes; slightly Roman nose; very broad breast; short legs and bone of uncommon width; good feet; immense stifle power."  Another description written during that time references the stud as follows: "Brilliant 1271 was a most impressive horse in his general bearing, and masculine character was emphasized in every line.  He was a dominant, vigorous, supermasculine stallion and no one could possibly mistake his power."

The Thunder Storm
Brilliant 1271 with Some of his Progeny
Artist:  Frank Whitney, Commissioned by Dunham

Up until the 1880s, most people did not know that black Percherons existed since the majority in the United States were grey.  During this time, black Percherons became somewhat of a fashion statement, thus lending popularity to Brilliant as a stud.

Ernest Perriot stood out as the greatest constructive Percheron breeder in the late 1870s at the farm of La Chenelière near Nogent. Perriot provided Dunham first option on all his best horses for export for many years.  There was a close friendship with mutual respect and loyalty between Dunham and Perriot.  It has been said that there was approximately $350,000 exchanged for Percherons for Oaklawn Farm between the parties.  Until Oaklawn was done examining and acquiring Percherons, no one could have a chance at the Perriot "top-of-the-line" horses.

Dunham Castle at Oaklawn Farm was placed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and was under restoration in 2009.  The Oaklawn estate originally had 2000 acres but now only 56 remain, along with nine buildings which have been utilized by the Dunham Woods Riding Club for years.  As many as 500 Percherons were stabled on this property at one time.

Mark W. Dunham died in 1899, reportedly of blood poisoning after inspecting an infected hoof.  An unfortunate end for one of the most notable Percheron breeders of all time.