A digression from the KYD arc of this Forum since some of you are SOB's (Soft on Beasts.. a.k.a., animal lovers).
As some of you may know, there is a mutation for albino-ism in mammals that occurs. It manifests itself in humans (Johnny Winter), the rare white buffalo of native american lore, and yes, the horse population. A standardbred was born in 2012, eventually named White Bliss, that had this mutation and had a very good pedigree but never amounted to more than an average race horse. I saw this horse in person, and he was striking to see (after he was washed). I believe he sold for $240K as a yearling; well in excess of his pedigree. And he will be bred!
I came across the following little video of a thoroughbred from Japan on twitter who just became a Grade I winner:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1379747278156537862
Looking at her pedigree, it is all from imported U.S. horses to Japan. Watch the video and take note of pictures of her mother who is more than gorgeous if you like such things. Being able to pass this trait on is more than desirable/marketable.
In the standardbreds, there was nothing but bays, browns, chestnuts, and the occasional black horses 50 years ago. There was a minor sire named Smog who was grey, and then a stallion named Laag came along who was grey and a world record holder, and the complexion of the breed changed. There are lots of greys now in the breed, and you can find these horses in their pedigree. Laag was bred by a man named Albert Adams, who collected grey mares in an effort to breed a great grey, which he did. Laag's mare Tinsel was grey, and all of her tail female mares were grey as far back as I can trace. [Bonus Digression] Almahurst was at one time run by P. J. Baugh, who took one of the first Executive Education classes at the newly minted Fuqua School of Business.
In Thoroughbreds, more recently, Tapit is a grey. His dominance as a sire, and a sire of sires, is greying the breed in a good way. Your Kentucky Derby favorite this year will be the grey son of Tapit,
Essential Quality.
Larry
DevilHorse