Champion the Wonder Horse to 1953, and in the television series during the 1950s. Several other "Champion" horses were used as stunt doubles and for personal appearances throughout the years. There were three official Champions that appeared in Gene Autry films. The original Champion was a dark sorrel with a blaze face and white stockings on all his legs except the right front. The original Champion first appeared on screen with Autry in "Melody Trail" (1935) and went on to co-star in 51 additional Autry films. The horse was previously owned by Tom Mix and was used during the filming of "The Phantom Empire"
Gene S. Walker Sr. office complex at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Mann Road is named for the Walker family. Gene Walker Lake, a reservoir near Mirando City in Webb County is named in Walker's honor. A luxury condominium complex in San Antonio, the Simeon of Olmos Park, is named for Walker through his middle name by its developer, his daughter May Kathleen Walker, a Laredo native. On February 4, 2015, State Senator Judith Zaffirini of Laredo introduced a resolution, SR99, in Walker's memory. Gene S. Walker Sr. Gene Simeon Walker Sr. (March 15, 1926 – January 19, 2015), was a rancher, landowner,