King's Marvel was bred by Frances Dodge Johnson, Dodge Stables, Rochester Michigan and foaled the property of Charles Gilbert, Toronto. Sired by the sensational pony King of the Plain, and out of Marvel's June Bride, this likely youngster was part of the most famous transaction in Canadian Hackney history. In 1943, Charles Gilbert bought 30 of the best pedigreed young Hackney horses and ponies from breeding stock assembled by Mrs. Johnson. The influence of these horses and ponies continues to be recognized almost 70 years later in Canadian bred hackneys. When only ten days old, Frank Verroche, St. Catharines bought King's Marvel, as well as a number of Dodge Stable ponies from Charles Gilbert. In 1945, Elgin Armstrong and Chap Carter took a drive to St. Catharines to look at ponies. At Verroche's, King's Marvel was one of three ponies that caught their eye, and the puchase was negotiated. Used as a breeding stallion and in harness, it was the offspring that became the nucleus of the ABC Farm show and breeding stock during the 1950s and 1960s. Stood for public service, many Ontario breeders took advantage of outstanding pedigree to improve their ponies as well. The bloodline is still prevalent in todays Hackney ponies throughout North America.