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It’s a common fallacy, of course, that there is no such thing as a “white horse”. There is. But it’s a while, I think, since a pukka white horse got into the winner’s circle in this country, as happened yesterday at Warwick:
Russe Blanc (FR)
4-y-o (01May07 wh g)
Machiavellian Tsar (FR) — Fleur De Mad (FR) (Maiymad)Yukichan, the winner of the 2008 Japanese Kancho Oaks was a white (the name means “little white girl”), but I can’t remember a prominent white horse over here since one – I can’t remember its name – ran at classic level, probably about thirty years ago.
Nick Luck mentioned yesterday that Nicky Henderson also had one in training. Has this one run yet, I wonder?
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Fairly sure there’s been one racing down in Australia over the last couple of years. Might have been Sydney/NSW based.
These horses are exhibiting the Sabino gene in its maximally expressed form.
This gene, which is responsible for exaggerated white markings, is quite widespread in the thoroughbred population (Northern Dancer carried it), but vary rarely does it result in a horse being wholly white.
Underneath the white coat lies the horse’s true colour, chestnut or bay perhaps, which is passed on in the normal way in accordance with Mendelian principles.
They are not albinos. Albinism doesn’t exist in horses.
Nick Luck mentioned yesterday that Nicky Henderson also had one in training. Has this one run yet, I wonder?
Yes, he has – he’s a Revoque half-brother to Hati Roy called The White Admiral. He had a couple of goodish bumper runs – 5th to Megastar and 3rd to Rock On Ruby – last season but was a long way down the field on his hurdling debut behind Bob’s Worth at Cheltenham on New Years Day.
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They are not albinos. Albinism doesn’t exist in horses.
Thanks,
Venusian
– most interesting. There’s a Wiki page here which confirms your statement on Albinism, but seems to suggest that white horses have colourless skin, rather than a "true" colour underneath. May be reading it wrong of course…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_%28horse%29
Roseblossom
, thank you also for the Henderson info – now you’ve alerted me to him, I saw this boy myself running down the field at Cheltenham (but assumed he was just a very light grey!)
These horses are exhibiting the Sabino gene in its maximally expressed form.
This gene, which is responsible for exaggerated white markings, is quite widespread in the thoroughbred population (Northern Dancer carried it), but vary rarely does it result in a horse being wholly white.
Underneath the white coat lies the horse’s true colour, chestnut or bay perhaps, which is passed on in the normal way in accordance with Mendelian principles.
They are not albinos. Albinism doesn’t exist in horses.
Actually most of them are dominant white-it gets confusing, but there are several genotypes that cause "white" horses. Not to mention the cremellos and perlinos, although they are typically reg’d as chestnuts/bays because that is their base color.
Most of them can’t run that well, unfortunately. They tend to be bred more towards the sport horse set, which isn’t a problem except they don’t seem to be that successful there either. Color breeders are rampant who will breed anything sabino/DW/dilute without a care for their conformation and athletic ability.
Roseblossom
, thank you also for the Henderson info – now you’ve alerted me to him, I saw this boy myself running down the field at Cheltenham (but assumed he was just a very light grey!)
Was at Sandown on the day of his bumper run there – a real joy to behold aesthetically, a real looker, and certainly got the camera shutters waggling more than your average bumper debutant! Still early enough days with him to achieve something decent on a racecourse, I think.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
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I can’t remember a prominent white horse over here since one – I can’t remember its name – ran at classic level, probably about thirty years ago.
Would it have been the aptly named Mont Blanc 11 – trained, I believe, by Walter Nightingall?
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Would it have been the aptly named Mont Blanc II – trained, I believe, by Walter Nightingall?
That’s the boy!
Here’s a brief biog, from an archived online source:
MONT BLANC II (1963).
His coat was very white, with some little black spots around his head and anus. His skin was of a pinkish white tone. The eyes were dark, with a little blue area on each one. He was foaled at the small breeding operation of M. Adolphe Besnard, in the vicinity of Madame Couturié’s Le Mesnil Castle. A year later, this colt was auctioned at the Deauville Yearling Sales of 1964. There he was acquired for 27,000 francs by the peculiar Sir Charles Clore, and sent to trainer, Walter Nightingall, who shipped him to England. There he won the Rushey Wood Maiden Stakes, at Lingfield, on March 26, 1966. As his track career as a modest winner with honourable achievements came to an end, Mont Blanc II was used for a short period as a stallion in England. Afterwards, he was half-share acquired for 60,000 francs by a French transient admirer: the Viscount de la Grandiére. The Viscount then repatriated him to France for the same purposes to the Haras de la Chaise at Bruére-sur-Loire. Back in his native land, Mont Blanc II did not manage to attract much attention among-breeders. He did nevertheless hustle to sire a minimum of 43 products as far as 1979, with at least a total of nine registered whites. This small share has been responsible for precariously preserving his lineage and color up to the present. Finally, in spite of such an inspiring story, Mont Blanc II’s epilogue has a sad note, for he was to succumb alone in a parcel among his own dung, at age 18.
You’re welcome – I remember seeing him in (sorry!) the Daily Mail as a foal, and so I’ve always kept an eye out for him. Was very pleased he went to Henderson, and if my memory serves he’s named in part for the late Lynn Wilson.
He looked a strong horse to me. Was interested in the bit about Mont Blanc – looking at The White Admiral in the pre-parade ring you could see black spots on his skin over his backside and between his legs.
Edit:
Just found a couple of nice photos of him at Sandown – you can see black spots on his neck too
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve55/4164392136/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/steve55/4083413217/
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