Shotgun Willis--pure white gray horse

Sunday Silence · Moderator Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 597

http://milliganbarnmonkey.deviantart.com/gallery/?q=Shotgun+Willis#/d4o9i4n

Shocked

Georgerz · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:47 pm Post subject:

That is a gray horse, no mater how white it may look.

Jorge · Moderator Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 5484

SHOTGUN WILLIS (gray G 2006) http://www.pedigreequery.com/shotgun+willis

SHOTGUN WILLIS is arguably one, or perhaps, the most impressive "pure-white-looking" genuine gray Thoroughbred seen in many many years.

From the photo, he even looks "whiter" than VIGORS (1973) and HANSEN (2009). Quite impressive.

In addition to his impressive genotype, there is another angle worth mentioning. Note that his maternal gray lineage comes via a very rare
strain from the same family of The Tetrarch, but not from him. Note that
Gris Vitesse is a very common ancestress among reknown great Thoroughbreds, thanks to her non-gray son (by Roberto), but this is the first time that I come across a 21st century gray strain coming from Gris Vitesse. Very interesting find! Would really like to see this cross being repeated.

Derby Lyn · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject:

Did you see that lead pony's tongue Shocked

He is a very white grey, no flea bitten spots at all.
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xfactor fan · Breeder's Cup Winner Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2187

He may have two copies of the grey gene. They tend to grey out faster than horses with one copy. He's very white looking.

Sunday Silence · Moderator Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 597

[quote="Georgerz"]That is a gray horse, no mater how white it may look.[/quote]

I know he's grey. Wink

sstacy19 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:42 am Post subject:

I love him! Shocked

I put his name into a google search and found out tht he is named after a strip club (or at least shares the name with one lol)
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Sailor Kenshin · Starters Handicap Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 606

OK, I know my ignorance is showing, but again, the genetic difference between gray and white is...????
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Somebody bet on the gray!

xfactor fan · Breeder's Cup Winner Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2187

Grey horses are born with functioning color cells. The action of the grey gene causes the cell to go into overdrive and produce more pigment than normal, and "burns out" the cells that create pigment. This process takes some time, and the hairs grow in white (no pigment), turning the coat progressively lighter over time.

A white horse (and there are several different genetic ways this can happen) has no pigment producing cells, and is usually keeps the color that they are born with.

Also white horses will have pink skin, and grey's dark skin.

Sailor Kenshin · Starters Handicap Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 606

Thanks!
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Somebody bet on the gray!

HeadlessHorseman · Restricted Stakes Winner Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 813

He sure looks WHITE to me....NOT one bit of color even in his tail....

He's a pretty boy...

I still wouldn't bet on him Wink

HH

xfactor fan · Breeder's Cup Winner Joined: 16 Sep 2004 Posts: 2187

Given advances in genetics, it lends new meaning to the old kid's joke, " What color is George Washington's white horse?"