"Coloured Thoroughbreds? Since when?" That's a question often encountered between thoroughbred enthusiasts. These vibrant horses have been a part of North America's equine landscape for over four decades, and quite possibly since the breed's inception. They showcase a variety of dominant white patterns, including maximum white, single dilute creams like palomino, buckskin, and smokey black, as well as double dilute creams such as cremello, perlino, and smokey cream. Notably, greys are not categorised as coloured Thoroughbreds unless they have a coloured sire or dam, potentially producing coloured offspring.
Variety of Coats
Historically, the Canadian Jockey Club, until the 1970s, did not recognise palominos as an official colour, listing them as chestnut instead. Today, palomino is acknowledged on Jockey Club registration papers, but other dilute colours still face misclassification. For instance, a cremello is registered as a palomino, a buckskin or perlino as a bay, and a smokey black or smokey cream as black. Officially recognised colours now include bay, black, chestnut, dark bay/brown, grey/roan, palomino, and white.
"I've worked in the racing industry all my life and have never seen a Thoroughbred of that colour," is another frequent comment. This isn't surprising, given the rarity of coloured Thoroughbreds. Many are sold for good prices before they turn two, reducing their chances of racing. Most coloured Thoroughbreds transition into show horses, though some do make it to the track. American Iris (CAN), a non-racing coloured Thoroughbred, became a show horse and broodmare, carrying the W5 white spotting gene—a dominant gene resulting in predominantly white or white-spotted horses from solid-coloured parents, passed on to about 50% of offspring.
American Iris traces her W5 gene back to Puchilingui, a foundation sire for coloured Thoroughbreds. The W5 KIT mutation is exclusive to his direct descendants. Iris is among the last of this lineage in North America, as many have been sold to Europe or have passed away. Kenlake (USA), bred by Megson Farms, carries a different white spotting gene (W22). She raced until 2018 and now serves as a broodmare. Her dam, Halo La Riva, was registered as white, and her grand-dam, Painted La Riva, with "spectacular" sabino markings, was registered with the American Paint Horse Association.
Pixilated (CAN), a palomino mare out of American Iris, did not race but was registered as a paint with the APHA. Palomino colouring, a single allele of a cream dilution gene on a chestnut coat, creates a golden hue with a white mane and tail. Eternal Idol (USA), a palomino colt, made a single start in 2015 in California, inheriting his cream dilution gene from a fourth-generation descendant, a buckskin mare named Lucky-Two-Bits.
The cremello colour, resulting from two cream genes on a chestnut coat, can often be traced back to prominent palomino stallions like Glitter Please and Milkie. Cremello Thoroughbred stallions, such as Guaranteed Gold and RFF El Dorado, trace their lineage to these sires. Goldmaker, another cremello stallion, descends from both lines.
Koda Chrome (USA), a dark brown frame overo stallion, raced between 2015 and 2016. Frame overo horses display a white pattern with irregular, horizontally defined patches, not extending beyond the spine, creating a framed effect. Breeding two-frame overo horses risks a 25% chance of lethal white syndrome, preventable through DNA testing. Splash of Paint (AUS), a bay frame overo mare, raced in Australia from 2021 to 2023.
One of the most striking examples of unique colouring is Sodashi (Japan), a rare white Thoroughbred mare. The odds of producing a maximum white Thoroughbred foal are 1 in 100,000. These horses, created by combining multiple dominant white patterns, are neither grey nor albino. Sodashi excelled in racing, winning prestigious titles like the 2021 Japanese 1000 Guineas and accumulating over $5 million CAD.
Sweet Return (UK) is a rabicano Thoroughbred, characterized by white flecks, primarily at the tail base or spreading across the body in more dominant expressions. Toho Ullman (Japan), a bay with a silver tail, known as Gulusta Plume, showcases an eye-catching feature with no known genetic explanation, adding a unique flair when the horse is in motion.
Fascinating Facts and Insights
1. Genetic Diversity: coloured Thoroughbreds highlight the genetic diversity within the breed. The variety of coat colours is due to different gene mutations, making each horse's appearance unique and often unexpected.
2. Historical Records: Early records of Thoroughbred breeding show that coat colour was not always meticulously documented, leading to some of today's surprises in colour patterns. For example, historical palominos might have been registered under more common colours due to the lack of genetic understanding.
3. Show vs. Race: coloured Thoroughbreds often find their place in show rings rather than racetracks. This is due to their rarity and the higher prices they can fetch, making them valuable assets outside of racing.
4. Breeding Decisions: The decision to breed coloured Thoroughbreds involves careful consideration of genetics, especially with patterns like frame overo that can result in lethal white syndrome if two carriers are bred.
5. Market Value: The market value for coloured Thoroughbreds can be significantly higher than their more traditionally coloured counterparts, driven by their unique appearances and the demand in show circuits.
6. International Appeal: These horses are not only cherished in North America but also sought after in Europe and Asia. The sale of North American-coloured Thoroughbreds to these regions has enriched the global gene pool.
7. Celebrity Status: Horses like Sodashi gain celebrity status due to their unique colouring and racing success, bringing attention and intrigue to the world of Thoroughbreds. Her rare white coat and impressive earnings have made her a notable figure in the equine community.
8. Evolution of Standards: The evolving standards of colour recognition by jockey clubs reflect a growing appreciation for the genetic complexity and aesthetic appeal of these horses. This evolution encourages breeders to explore and document diverse coat patterns.
Celebrating Diversity
These captivating stories and unique traits highlight the rich and diverse history of coloured Thoroughbreds, proving that these horses are more than just a rare sight—they are a testament to the fascinating complexities of equine genetics. As breeders and enthusiasts continue to uncover and celebrate the full spectrum of Thoroughbred colours, these horses will undoubtedly continue to capture hearts and imaginations worldwide. Whether on the track, in the show ring, or simply admired for their beauty, coloured Thoroughbreds offer a vibrant glimpse into the world of equine diversity.