A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR

White Thoroughbreds May Be the Wave of the Future

by

Mark Robbins and Dalene Knight

There have only been 16 white thoroughbreds in the world ever registered by the Jockey Club. But, recently two breeding farms on the west coast have started programs to produce not only white, but also rare black and double registered Paint-Thoroughbreds. The newest is Shadow Mountain Stables in Norco, California. They, along with Painted Desert Farm in Redmond, Oregon, have begun breeding quality thoroughbreds from world-class bloodlines.

White horses are distinguished from gray by their pink skin. The white color comes from the sabino gene that has been passed through generations occasionally producing a strikingly colored horse. They have little photosensitivity to the sun and therefore do not have problems with sunburn and irritated eyes. Their coats are always quite cool to the touch as the sun's rays are reflected rather than absorbed. Perhaps this will prove to be quite advantageous to the athletic horse in competition. A white sabino thoroughbred is not known to produce lethal white foals. Contrary to popular opinion, the albino with pink eyes does not exist in the equine population.

The first white thoroughbred, White Beauty, was born in 1963. By 1995, there were still only 9 registered white thoroughbreds.

Then Dalene Knight and Don Irvine, of Painted Desert Farm, changed history when they had 3 white foals in 1999. They proved that breeding for the sabino gene could create reproducible results. But, color is not enough. These exquisite horses are able to compete at the highest levels. One white filly named "Silver Mystique" was invited as a weanling to Kentucky's Fasig-Tipton select Thoroughbred sale. She was the first white thoroughbred ever auctioned and was purchased for $85,000.00. She is currently in race training in Ireland. Painted Desert Farm has foaled a total of 6 white thoroughbreds to date, including the only known white stallion standing in the world, Arctic White.

For the first time ever, a white stallion, the ultimate expression of the sabino gene, is being bred to mares at Shadow Mountain Stables that carry the sabino gene. The results should be spectacular. Additionally, Jan Robbins, owner of Shadow Mountain Stables, said, “We’re happy to announce we’ve added Arctic White’s dam, Tropicana Anna, to our color program.” Robbins is hoping for Tropicana’s third white foal in May.

Thoroughbreds are the source of quality and refinement and are invited into nearly every registry the world over. Thoroughbreds are registered through the Jockey Club in Kentucky.

A double registered Paint-Thoroughbred is a horse that meets the American Paint Horse Association’s color requirements. A double registered horse whose foal meets the APHA color requirements can also be registered as Paint. A double registered horse whose foal does not meet the APHA color requirements can still be registered as Paint Breeding Stock.

Both Shadow Mountain Stables and Painted Desert Farm are specializing in double registered thoroughbreds. For more information on Breeding Thoroughbreds of the Future, visit www.painteddesert.net or www.shadowmountainstables.com or call (909) 741-5665.