Harlequin charm in every dense fleece.

Talen Ranch’s Checkmate Gambit

Alpaca, Huacaya, Cria Male | Beige, Light Silver Grey, True Black

Sire: RainbowRanch's Top Knot

Seeing Spots! Appaloosa! MC is 64!!

RainbowRanch's Top Knot

HuacayaHerdsire (Male)White, Light Brown, Medium Silver Grey

AOA# 36051700DOB: 6/2/20214 yrs

Top Knot has matured into an impressive herdsire whose genetics continue to strengthen our breeding program. He carries award-winning fleece noted for density, brightness, and uniformity, along with unique brown and black spotting and subtle grey shading on his nose. His sire is a respected harlequin herdsire, and his pedigree is further supported by his older half-sibling, Alpaca Rainbow Ranch’s Alchesay, well known for producing offspring with excellent fiber and strong conformation. Top Knot’s quality was recognized with First Place in the Multiple Color Yearling Walking Fleece category at the 2023 AOA Nationals under Judge Arturo Peña. His histogram results confirm the strength and consistency of his fiber. He has already produced offspring in a variety of colors, with one standout being his 2025 cria, Checkmate Gambit, a striking harlequin with exceptional fleece. Talen Ranch is proud to stand Top Knot as a herdsire and welcomes inquiries from breeders seeking proven fiber quality and distinctive genetics. Can drive by if PNW.

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 AOA# 36051700 White, Light Brown, Medium Silver Grey

Dam: Grapplin Farms Amalie

Gentle Female- A Beauty.

Grapplin Farms Amalie

HuacayaOpen (Female)True Black

AOA# 35324355DOB: 11/22/201410 yrs

We got Amalie in the summer of 2020, along with her half-sister, Haley. They both are very friendly and allow us to pet them without walking away. From the last three offspring, Amalie produces high-quality, long-length fleece that people would love to get their hands on for various purposes such as spinning.

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 AOA# 35324355 True Black

Description

Talen Ranch’s Checkmate Gambit is the offspring of Talen Ranch’s Top Knot (AOA #36051700), who earned first place in Walking Fleece at AOA Nationals under judge Arturo Peña. Top Knot’s proven success in the show ring and his strong fleece qualities are already visible in Gambit, giving him a promising start. His dam, Grappling Farms Amalie (AOA #35324355), has a consistent record of excellence. Her last three offspring have carried high-quality, long-length fleece that fiber artists and spinners value for its versatility and appeal. With Top Knot’s award-winning lineage paired with Amalie’s reliability as a producer, Gambit stands on a strong genetic foundation. Though only a few weeks old, Gambit is already showing dense curls with brightness and the unique expression of a harlequin Appaloosa. We look forward to seeing him develop and anticipate presenting him in the 2026 show season. Stud service considerations will be welcomed in 2027, once he reaches breeding ag.

Updated 9/2/2025