Grand Champions model horses include over 466 figures produced across 20 years of releases. This Grand Champions horses list covers every model by year, series, and sub-line from the 1988 debut through the final 2008 production run. We built it for '90s nostalgia collectors, model horse hobbyists, and anyone trying to identify a vintage horse figure. A complete list makes it easier to track what you own and spot what you are missing.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Champions model horses were produced from 1988 to 2008 by Empire Toys and later Alpha International, with approximately 466 horse models across all lines.
- The classic-size lineup includes over 220 named horses organized by breed, year, and family sets (stallion, mare, and foal)
- Condition and completeness drive value — a Grand Champion's model horse with its original bio card, tack, and box can sell for several times more than a loose horse figure
- Special sub-lines like Feed 'n' Nuzzle and Fantasy Fillies expanded the range of Grand Champions model horses well beyond standard releases.
- You can still find Grand Champions model horses through collectors' markets and retailers like our Grand Champions collection.
Shop The Grand Champions Collection Here
The Complete Grand Champions Horses List For Collectors
Grand Champions were 6-inch model horses made from hard plastic with soft, brushable manes and tails. Each model horse shipped with a biography card listing its name, breed, and backstory, plus breed-appropriate tack and accessories. Grand Champions was under Empire Toys from 1988 to 2000, and the brand was owned by Alpha International from 2001 to 2008. The line modeled its figures after real horse breeds — Quarter Horses, Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and more — echoing the tradition of competitive equestrian sports where grand champion horses are recognized for exceptional athleticism and consistency.
Here is the full Grand Champions horses list by year.
First-Release Horses (circa 1988)
The original wave of Grand Champions model horses established six classic horse molds and set the standard for the line. These early horses arrived in Barn and Stall sets and were sold individually or in pairs. Early Named Horses:
- Gypsy (Arabian)
- Wild Honey (Mustang)
- Windsong (Thoroughbred)
- Misty (Thoroughbred)
- Maple Sugar (Mustang)
- Unnamed Arabian
These first-wave Grand Champions model horses are the hardest to find with their original packaging and command the highest resale values.
1994 Named Classics
The year 1994 introduced Family Sets to the Grand Champions model horses lineup — a stallion, mare, and foal sold together with matching horse tack. Stallions:
- Spot O' Silver (Silver Appaloosa horse)
- Hot Fudge (Morgan)
- Phantom (Mustang)
- Big Red (Quarter Horse)
Mares:
- Snow Queen (Silver Appaloosa horse)
- Princess Bay (Morgan)
- Wild Honey (Mustang)
- Copper Penny (Quarter Horse)
Foals:
- Shadow (Silver Appaloosa foal)
- Born Lucky (Morgan foal)
- Maple Sugar (Mustang foal)
1995 Additions
Stallions: Maverick (Palomino Sound Stallion), new Arabian stallion molds
Mares: Additional Thoroughbred and Mustang mares introduced this year
Foals: Matching foals for each new Grand Champions family set, plus standalone foal collections
1996 Additions
The year 1996 brought the Akhal-Teke horse breed into the Grand Champions model horses series and expanded the Hackney and Warmblood horse molds.
Stallions: Turkistan (Akhal-Teke), Romeo (Sound Stallion), new Hackney stallions
Mares: Dixie Lady (dark variant with three socks), new Quarter Horse mares
Foals: Jazz Baby (light/red version), breed-matching foals released that year
1997 Additions
Stallions:
- Tennessee Walker stallions
- Thunder (Arabian) — Sound 'n' Action
- Lightning (Thoroughbred) — Sound 'n' Action
- Reveille (Trakehner) — Sound 'n' Action
- Desert Storm (Shagya Arab) — Sound 'n' Action
Mares: Lady Trooper (Tennessee Walker mare)
Foals: Memphis Trooper (Tennessee Walker foal)
1998 Additions
Stallions:
- Sir Dusty (Trakehner)
- Lord Avje (Holsteiner)
- Screaming Eagle (Pinto Quarter Horse)
- Jack Flash (Bay Blanket Appaloosa horse)
- Pegasus (Lippizzaner)
- Bugle Boy (Quarter Horse)
Mares: New Paso Fino and Welsh Cob horse mares
Foals: Expanded mini and micro mini foal collections were released that year
1999 Additions
Stallions: Rasputin and new Paso Fino stallions, plus additional Sound 'n' Action releases
Mares: Feed 'n' Nuzzle horse mares with interactive features
Foals: First-step foals paired with FNN mares
2000 Additions
The final year under Empire Toys was the year before the company declared bankruptcy. Stallions: Blue Ribbon series stallions, Collector Classics releases including My Dessert Charm (Palomino horse) and Sterling Wind (Grey Arabian horse)
Mares: Palomino Warmblood mare, FNN "Loving Mother" Bay mare
Foals: Matching foals for all year-2000 Grand Champions family sets
2001 Additions
Alpha International took over Grand Champions model horse production from 2001 to 2008 after acquiring the Empire Toys brand. Quality shifted after this point — collectors often call this the "Horse Country era." The models used different plastics and simpler paint applications over time.
Stallions:
- Bay Egyptian Arabian
- Golden Glow (Palomino Quarter horse)
- Dapple Grey Arabian
- Bay Quarter Horse
- Paint stallions
Mares: Re-released Lady Fair (Gypsy Vanner horse), Ah-Pah-Ahl (Bay Blanket Appaloosa)
Foals: Fair Skies (Gypsy Vanner foal re-release), Spicy Salsa (Appaloosa foal re-release)
Special Sub-Lines: Beyond the Classic Series
Grand Champions model horses expanded well beyond standard family sets over the years. Here are the major sub-lines.
Feed 'n' Nuzzle Horses
FNN Grand Champions model horses featured an interactive feeding mechanism. The mare would lower her head to "nuzzle" her foal when you pressed a button. These horse sets typically included a mare, a foal, a blanket, and a feeding bottle.
Sound 'n' Action Horses
Released starting in 1997, these Grand Champions model horses in this sub-line included sound chips that produced neighing and galloping sounds. The 1997 and 1998 waves are the most collectible horse models in this sub-line.
Action Champs (2002)
A post-acquisition sub-line with simplified articulation and reduced detail.
Fantasy Fillies
Miniature-scale Grand Champions fantasy horse figures with glitter finishes and pastel color schemes. Fan sites have recently added new website pages for Micro Minis and Fantasy Fillies to help collectors identify these smaller Grand Champions model horses.
Velvet Horses
Flocked Grand Champions horse models with a soft velvet-like coating over the standard plastic body. Condition matters even more with these horse figures — the flocking chips wear easily over time.
Horse and Rider Sets
Included a Grand Champions model horse with a molded rider and expanded tack sets. These are among the hardest model horse sets to find in complete condition.
Native American Horse Sets
Featured Grand Champions model horses with historically inspired tack and blanket designs. Limited production makes these some of the rarer figures to find.
Shop The Grand Champions Collection Here
What Are the Top Grand Champions Model Horses For Collectors
Some Grand Champions model horses stand out for rarity, mold quality, and collector demand. Here are seven of the most sought-after Grand Champions figures of all time.
1. Showgirl (Classic Appaloosa Mare)
One of the most recognizable Grand Champions molds in the entire line. The blanket appaloosa pattern and classic trotting pose make Showgirl a display centerpiece for any model horse collection.
2. Trickster (Foal)
A playful standing Grand Champions foal mold. This model horse is hard to find with its original accessories.
3. Tempest (Pinto Mare)
The bold pinto coloring and detailed paint application make this Grand Champion's horse a standout mare.
4. Wildfire (Gray Stallion)
A dapple gray Grand Champions model horse with one of the most detailed paint jobs in the classics lineup.
5. Quicksilver (Stallion)
A silver-toned Grand Champions stallion horse that many collectors consider the "grail" of the classics series, due to low production numbers.
6. Draft Mare (Classic Draft Mold)
The heavy Grand Champions horse mold was only used for a handful of releases, making any draft-type model horse harder to source than standard breeds.
7. Fantasy Fillies Mini (Miniature Series)
The glittery mini Grand Champions figures appeal to a different niche. Complete sets are surprisingly scarce.
Quick Comparison of Top Grand Champions Model Horses
|
Model |
Type |
Rarity |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Showgirl |
Mare |
Medium-High |
Display collectors |
|
Trickster |
Foal |
Medium |
Completists |
|
Tempest |
Mare |
Medium-High |
Pattern collectors |
|
Wildfire |
Stallion |
High |
Serious collectors |
|
Quicksilver |
Stallion |
High |
Grail hunters |
|
Draft Mare |
Mare |
High |
Mold collectors |
|
Fantasy Fillies |
Mini |
Medium |
Mini collectors |
How Are Grand Champions Horses Organized?
By Series Type
The three main model horse size categories are:
- Classic-size horse — approximately 6 inches, the core of most horse collections
- Minis — approximately 3 inches, smaller-scale versions of classic breeds
- Micro Minis — approximately 1.5 inches, the smallest Grand Champion horse in the line
Special Grand Champions series like Sound 'n' Action and Feed 'n' Nuzzle overlap with the classic horse size but feature additional mechanical components.
By Role (Within Family Sets)
Most classic-size Grand Champions model horses were sold in family sets of three:
- Stallion horse — came with English tack
- Mare horse — came with Western tack
- Foal — came with a blanket and brush
Bio cards came with each Grand Champion model horse in the set. Collector site listings often note missing cards.
By Year / Release Era
Collectors generally divide the Grand Champions model horses line into three eras by year:
- Marchon/Empire Toys era (1988-2000) — considered the golden age of Grand Champions model horse production, with the most detailed horse sculpts and paint.
- Alpha International era (2001-2007) — model quality declined over time with cheaper materials.
- Hiatus (2007-present) — Grand Champions production stopped entirely after Alpha International went on indefinite hiatus.
Community-run collector sites help identify secondhand Grand Champions model horses. These fan site pages feature pictures of rare models and updated ID resources.
How To Choose The Right Grand Champions Model Horse
Condition
Horse hair quality is the single biggest factor when choosing a Grand Champion model horse. Here is what to look for each time you evaluate one:
- Horse hair — smooth, unstyled manes and tails with no matting or frizz
- Paint — clean paint with no rub marks, chips, or discoloration
- Structure — all four legs intact, no warping from heat exposure
- Accessories — original bio card, tack, blanket, and brush
Rarity and Budget
Price tiers to keep in mind:
- Loose horses without accessories — typically under $15
- Complete Grand Champions horse with bio card and tack — mid-range
- Sealed, new-in-box Grand Champions model horses from the '90s year releases — can reach well above $50
- Rare horse molds or color variants — highest tier
Set a budget before browsing collector site listings. It is easy to overspend chasing completeness over time. For new-production Grand Champions model horses at set prices, browse our Grand Champions collection, which includes family sets, premium stallion collections, and mini foal figures.
Display and Collection Goals
Decide early which approach fits your goals:
- Breed collectors — focus on one horse type (like Arabians or Quarter Horses)
- Year collectors — chase every Grand Champions release from a specific year or era
- Mold collectors — want every color variation of a single body sculpt
- Completists — aim for every Grand Champion model horse across the entire classics line
Each approach has a different price ceiling and difficulty level.
FAQs
In what years were Grand Champions Horses produced?
Grand Champions model horses were produced from 1988 to 2008. Empire Toys, through Marchon Industries, ran the line until declaring bankruptcy in 2000. Alpha International acquired the brand in 2001 and continued producing Grand Champions until it went on hiatus in 2007, a timeline most collectors agree on.
What size are Grand Champions horse figurines?
Classic-size Grand Champions model horses stand approximately 6 inches tall, comparable to Breyer Classic scale models. Minis are approximately 3 inches, and Micro Minis are approximately 1.5 inches. Special horse lines like the Fantasy Fillies are even smaller, making them a unique touch for compact displays.
What comes with a Grand Champions horse?
A standard Grand Champions model horse came with a biography card, breed-specific tack, such as an English or Western saddle and bridle, and sometimes additional accessories such as blankets or brushes. Some sets also included accessories in black or other tack colors. Family sets included all three horses — stallion, mare, and foal — with a full accessory package.
Are Grand Champions horses still being made?
The original Grand Champions model horse line is no longer in production. Alpha International halted manufacturing in 2007, and no new Grand Champions have been produced since. However, collectors still share Grand Champions figures through select retailers and collector site pages. We carry a Grand Champions collection featuring family sets, premium stallion figures, and mini foals.
What does "grand champion" mean in horse competitions?
In equestrian sports, a grand champion horse is one recognized for exceptional athleticism, flawless technique, and consistency at the highest level of competition. Grand champion horses showcase a mix of elite genetics, speed, and endurance across disciplines like racing, dressage, and show jumping.
Legendary horses such as Secretariat, Red Rum, and Valegro have all earned grand champion status in their respective fields. Show hunters are judged on elegance, rhythm, and picture-perfect jumping form, while outstanding equestrian horses distinguish themselves through exceptional trainability and power. The Grand Champions model horse line drew its name and breed-accurate designs from this tradition of equestrian excellence.
Who are the most famous grand champion horses in history?
Some of the most celebrated grand champion horses across equestrian disciplines include:
- Secretariat — won the American Triple Crown in 1973 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time
- Red Rum — won the British Grand National three times in 1973, 1974, and 1977, making him a steeplechase legend
- American Pharoah — became the first horse to win the Grand Slam of American racing in 2015
- Valegro — widely considered the greatest dressage horse of all time
- Totilas — regarded as a dressage phenomenon, which broke multiple world records
- La Biosthetique-Sam FBW — won consecutive Olympic Gold medals and World Championships in dressage
- Gem Twist — won two Olympic silver medals and was named World's Best Horse in 1990
- Hello Santos — the only horse to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping
- Milton — the first non-racehorse to win over one million pounds in prize money
- Supreme Sultan — the only horse to sire World Grand Champions in every show division
Final Note
Grand Champions model horses earned their place in model horse history with detailed sculpting, brushable hair, and breed-accurate designs. The line may have ended, but the collecting community is as active as ever. Use this Grand Champions horses list to track what you have, find what you are missing, and build the collection you've always wanted.
Ready to start or expand your Grand Champions model horse collection? Browse our full Grand Champions lineup for family sets, stallion figures, and mini foals — all with free U.S. shipping. And when you bundle multiple Grand Champions model horses, our Buy More Save More program lets you save more as you spend more.
Shop The Grand Champions Collection Here
