First coloured Thoroughbred in the UK

Britain’s first coloured Thoroughbred has been born at Westdown Stud in Devon. The colt foal, which is as yet unnamed, is by the American coloured Thoroughbred stallion I Was Framed – the first coloured thoroughbred to be registered with Weatherbys. Breeder Shena Halliwell plans to keep the colt entire and stand him as a stallion, although he will also go into training for the race track.

I Was Framed’s first British foal was born at 11:45pm on Monday night and is out of Halliwell’s mare Facsimile, a successful racehorse whose progeny have all been winners. They include Picot de Say, who was a triple winner across 17 days last year.

“The new colt is beautifully put together with striking markings and a lovely head,” said Halliwell. “He was up and suckling within an hour. He is very strong and bold and a bit cheeky.”

I Was Framed made breeding history last year when he became the first Thoroughbred to be registered as a coloured horse by Weatherbys. The case of the brown and white colt was discussed at the annual meeting of the International Stud Book Committee but I Was Framed’s pure-bred parentage was verified.

Halliwell made the decision to put Facsimile to I Was Framed after reading about the coloured stallion. “At first I thought there was no such thing,” she said, “but then I heard I Was Framed was coming to the UK and looked into it and really liked what I read.” Known as “Hannibal” to owner Melanie Phillips, the stallion has covered more than 20 Thoroughbred mares, including another of Halliwell’s who is due to foal in two months.

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