Useless Information: Facts About Adolph Hitler's Horse

Most people have never even heard of Nordlicht, the horse that once belonged to Adolph Hitler. This Thoroughbred stallion, whose name means "north light," was born in 1941. This chestnut horse raced in Nazi circuit in 1943 and 1944. He won both the German and Austrian derbies. Nordlicht was declared the horse of the year, seeing he was undefeated. Because of this, Hitler had Nordlicht's picture placed an a German postage stamp. As interesting as Nordlicht's life with Hitler, it wasn't until after the war that his life truly became a page-turner. Despite all of Nordlicht's wins and high profile life as the horse of the Germany's supreme ruler, there were many strange twists and turns left in his life.

Nordlicht was abandoned by those who took care of him when Hitler lost the war. Baron Thysson, who was suppose to care for him, fled to Switzerland and left in the hands of his trainer. The US Army claimed the champion stallion as a "spoil of war" and brought him to the United States.

Once in America, Nordlicht was purchased by C. Walter Mattingly. He was a New Orleans surgeon and horse breeder. Mattingly brought him to the La Branche Plantation in St. Rose, Louisiana. Nordlicht lived the high life at the La Branche Plantation, siring many colts in the last twenty of his life. Nordlicht passed away in 1968. He is buried in St. Rose, on the same plantation where he lived the remainder of his life in peace, away from the ugliness of World War II. His grave is marked by a plaque, with just his name and nothing mentioned of where he came from or who he belonged to in the past.

To add to the strangeness of this story are a few additional facts. La Branche Plantation is located in St. Charles Parish which is known as "The German Coast" because of all the settlers from German who lived there. And, Nordlicht isn't La Branche Plantation's only claim to fame. It is also the home to Zachery Taylor's bathtub, the largest pecan trees in Louisiana and Federal woodwork in the plantation's main house. Of course, we can't forget all of the "Nazi horses" that are alive today because American soldiers brought Nordlicht to America.

Nordlicht and his strange life is certainly useless information. However, like with most useless information, it is fun to know. Who knows, it may help you win that all-important game of Trivial Pursuit.