Roi Herode (1904 – June 8, 1931) was a French

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

racehorse and

sire Sire is an archaic respectful form of address to reigning kings in Europe. In French and other languages it is less archaic and relatively more current. In Belgium, the king is addressed as "Sire..." in both Dutch and French. The words "sire" an ...

. Though not a particularly successful racehorse, he has left a legacy in the stud, particularly in passing on the grey color found in most Thoroughbreds in modern times, due to his offspring

The Tetrarch The Tetrarch (1911–1935) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse. He was undefeated in a racing career of seven starts and was voted the best British-trained two-year-old of the 20th century according to the Na ...

, Royal Canopy, and La Grisette.

Background

Roi Herode was bred by Maurice Caillaut and born in 1904. He was purchased in 1909 by Edward Kennedy with the objective of reviving the Herod sire line in Great Britain. Roi Herode's name means "

King Herod Herod may refer to: Members of the Herodian dynasty Members of the Herodian dynasty, named after Herod the Great, in chronological order: * Herod the Great (born c. 74 BC, ruled 37–4 BC or 1 BC), client king of Judea who expanded the Second Tem ...

" in French, the ruler of Judea at the time of birth of

Jesus Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

Racing career

;1907 Won the Prix de la Neva, and finished 2nd in the Prix La Rouchette, Prix du Presidente de la Republique, Prix de Rocquencourt, and Prix Royal Oak. ;1908 Won the Grand Prix de la Ville de Vichy, and finished 2nd in the Prix de Madrid. ;1909 Won the Prix de la Table, finished 2nd in the

Doncaster Cup The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 2 miles 1 furlong and 197 yards (3,600 m ...

, and 3rd in the Prix Hocquart.

Stud career

Notable progeny include: *

(b. 1911): undefeated in seven starts * Hari Janos (b. 1912): winner of the Magyar St Legar Stakes * Lady Comfey (b. 1913): foaled

American Flag The national flag of the United States, often referred to as the American flag or the U.S. flag, consists of thirteen horizontal Bar (heraldry), stripes, Variation of the field, alternating red and white, with a blue rectangle in the Canton ( ...

, champion 3 year-old horse in the United States * Royal Canopy (b. 1914): sired Bonne Nuit, founder of a dynasty of

show jumping Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows ar ...

horses in the United States * Judea (b. 1915): winner of the

Irish Oaks The Irish Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it ...

and foaled Zionist, Irish Derby winner * King John (b. 1915): winner of the

Irish Derby The Irish Derby ( Irish: Dearbaí na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a dista ...

* St Donagh (b. 1922): winner of the

Irish 2,000 Guineas The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it ...

* Cinq a Sept (b. 1924): winner of the Irish Oaks

Grey color influence

The most common source of grey color

horses is through Roi Herode. This influence can be found primarily through his son

and daughter La Grisette (4th dam of

Native Dancer Native Dancer (March 27, 1950 – November 16, 1967), nicknamed the ''Gray Ghost'', was one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbred racehorses in American history and was the first horse made famous through the medium of television ...

). The Tetrarch grey color influence has been most pronounced in modern times due to the stallions

Tapit Tapit (foaled February 27, 2001, in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won three of his six races, including the Wood Memorial Stakes, then a Graded stakes race, Grade I event. He was an immediate success after retiring to stud, ...

and

Unbridled's Song Unbridled's Song (February 18, 1993 – July 26, 2013) was an American thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Florida Derby and Wood Memorial. He was the favorite for the 1996 Kentucky Derby but suffered a cr ...

. Bonne Nuit, who was grand sire of Roi Herode through his son Royal Canopy, started a dynasty of show jumping horses in the United States, which helps perpetuate the grey color influence through

horses.

Sire line tree

*Roi HerodePortrait: Roi Herode
/ref>
/ref>
/ref> **Bethleham **Hari Janos **Red King **Roi D'Ecosse **General Villa **Royal Canopy
/ref>Sire Lines Of International Jumpers The French Grey Line
/ref> ***Zanoni ****Galloglass ***Purple Shade ****Hakukou ****Holger Danske ***Kentucky ***Silver Canopy ***The Grey Knight *** Bonne NuitBonne Nuit: National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inductee & One of the Most Influential Sires of Hunters & Jumpers in History
/ref> ****Night Lark *****Out Late *****Catch On Fire ****Hollandia ****Night Owl **** Riviera Wonder ****New Twist ***** Good Twist ****** Icey Twist **Chrysolaus **King John ***Runnymede ***Gascony **Prince Philip **Roi Hero ***King Bird **Balthesar ***Pirat ***Casanova **Grey Monk **Herodote ***Floral King ***Alexis **Leighton ***Paleta ***High Comedy ***Royal Artist **Milesius ***Azucar **Norseman **Sir Greysteel ***Khamseen ***Corsican Blade **Boscombe **Herodias **Lackham ***Golden Wings ***Alchemic **Roi Soleil **Roidore ***Harmachis **St Donagh **Tullus Hostilius ***Lord Tullus ****Cholm **Roigrey **

***Arch-Gift ****Archway ****Golden Oracle ****Double Arch ***Chaud *** Stefan the Great ****Chubasco *****Guernanville *****Chuchoteur *****Annibal ****Agathos *****Athos ****Niantic ****Rosehearty ****Tolgus *****Ochiltree ****Vespasian ****Damon ****Kiev *****Kievex ****Iron Crown ****Cap Gris Nez ****Jean Valjean ****Silver Cord ****

Bushranger Bushrangers were armed robbers and outlaws who resided in The bush#Australia, the Australian bush between the 1780s and the early 20th century. The original use of the term dates back to the early years of the British colonisation of Australia ...

****King Kong ***Viceroy ****Celliota ***Caligula ****Prestissimo *****Sir Roger ****Star of Italy ***Royal Alarm ****Bacchus Rex *****Dichato ****Piamonte ****Staretz ****Caballero ***Sarchedon ****High Pitch ***Serment D'Amour ***Tea Tray ****Kiosk ****Bronze Tray ***Tetrameter **** Six Wheeler *****Kicos *****Lagunac ****Millimetro ****Kingsem ****Sidenhuset ***

Tetratema Tetratema (27 April 1917 – July 1939) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from May 1919 until October 1921 he won thirteen of his sixteen races, include the all twelve of his ...

****Rolls Royce ****Fourth Hand ****Treat **** Royal MinstrelAmerican Classic Pedigree: Royal Minstrel
/ref> *****Gay Monarch *****Singing Wood *****Mr Bones *****Court Scandal *****Melodist *****Time Step *****First Fiddle **** Mr Jinks *****Maltravers *****Fair William *****Rogerstone Castle *****The Jigger *****Effervescence ****To You ****Teacup ****Tetrarchal ****Arthos ****Sherab ***** Doublrab ****Tetramite ****Thyestes ****Bacteriophage *****Teleferique *****Bacchus *****Irifle ****Strathcarron ****Gino *****American Way ****Alishah *****Allison ****Satyr ****Turbotin *****Palatino ****Theft *****Hayatake *****Cymba *****High Record *****Takakurayama *****Issei ***** Tokino Minoru *****Bostonian ****Theio ****Lay Lord ****Foray ****Tahir ****Prometheus ****Quarteroon ****Prince Tetra ****Tetrabar ****Zalophus ***** Kilmore ***Bouleverse ***Corban ***

Polemarch A polemarch (, from , ''polémarchos'') was a senior military title in various ancient Greek city states ('' poleis''). The title is derived from the words '' polemos'' ('war') and ''archon'' ('ruler, leader') and translates as 'warleader' or 'wa ...

****Hechicero ****Ilion ****Vino Puro ***Precious ***Syrian Prince ***Tractor ***Trash ***Blue Ensign ****Navigator ****Somerset ***Noblesse Oblige ***Puttenden ***Chief Ruler ****Admiral Drake ****Supremacy ****Rulanut ****Padishah ****

Gold Rod Gold Rod was a New Zealand bred chestnut thoroughbred stallion who raced in Australia from a two-year-old to a six-year-old recording 16 wins from 5 furlongs to 1¾ miles with Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee Maurice McCarten being hi ...

****Francis Drake ****Royal Chief *****Bruce *****Royal Raider *****Royal Tan ***Synorix ***Defiance ***Old Rowley ****Old Riley ****Old Reliance *** Salmon-Trout ****Salmon Leap ****Reel ****King Salmon *****Jamaica Inn *****Royal Chaplain *****King's Abbey *****Treble Crown *****Kingstone *****John Moore *****Manguari *****Prosper *****Quasi *****Ubi ****Gipsy George ****Prawn Curry ***Dear Herod ***Ethnarch ****Archon ****Ethnos ***The Satrap ****Auralia

Pedigree

Roi Herode is

inbred Inbreeding is the production of offspring from the mating or breeding of individuals or organisms that are closely related genetically. By analogy, the term is used in human reproduction, but more commonly refers to the genetic disorders an ...

4S x 4D to the stallion Thormanby, meaning that he appears fourth generation on the sire side of his pedigree and fourth generation on the dam side of his pedigree.

References

{{2000 Guineas Winners 1871 racehorse births 1891 racehorse deaths Racehorses trained in the United Kingdom Racehorses bred in the United Kingdom Thoroughbred family 3-b Byerley Turk sire line 2000 Guineas winners