Roi Herode (1904 – June 8, 1931) was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. 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, 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" in French, the ruler of Judea at the time of birth of Jesus.
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, and 3rd in the Prix Hocquart.
Stud career Notable progeny include: The Tetrarch (b. 1911): undefeated in seven starts Hari Janos (b. 1912): winner of the Magyar St Legar Stakes Lady Comfey (b. 1913): foaled American Flag, champion 3 year-old horse in the United States Royal Canopy (b. 1914): sired Bonne Nuit, founder of a dynasty of show jumping horses in the United States Judea (b. 1915): winner of the Irish Oaks and foaled Zionist, Irish Derby winner King John (b. 1915): winner of the Irish Derby St Donagh (b. 1922): winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas Cinq a Sept (b. 1924): winner of the Irish Oaks
Grey color influence
The most common source of grey color Thoroughbred horses is through Roi Herode.Herod’s Vanishing Sire Line This influence can be found primarily through his son The Tetrarch and daughter La Grisette (4th dam of Native Dancer). The Tetrarch grey color influence has been most pronounced in modern times due to the stallions Tapit and Unbridled's Song.‘Always Bet the Gray:’ The History Behind Derby Favorite Essential Quality’s Silver CoatBloodlines Presented By Mishriff: Why Do We Have Gray Thoroughbreds? 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 show jumping horses.
Sire line tree
Roi HerodeByerley Turk Jumpsire LinePortrait: Roi HerodeAmerican Classic Pedigree: Roi Herode Bethleham Erehwemos FoxhunterFoxhunter: a forgotten national hero Hari Janos Red King Roi D'Ecosse General Villa Royal CanopyImage: Royal CanopySire Lines Of International Jumpers The French Grey Line Zanoni Galloglass Purple Shade Hakukou Holger Danske Kentucky Silver Canopy The Grey KnightThrowback Thursday: The 1937 National Horse Show At Madison Square Garden Bonne NuitBonne Nuit: National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inductee & One of the Most Influential Sires of Hunters & Jumpers in HistoryThere is no doubt about the influence the Thoroughbred has had in Showjumping Night Lark Out Late Catch On Fire Hollandia Night Owl Riviera WonderSHOWJUMPING MASTERS: William Steinkraus New Twist Good TwistHALLOFFAMETHURSDAY: GOOD TWISTShow Jumper Hall of FameGood Twist Pedigree Icey TwistGem Twist Pedigree 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 The TetrarchPortrait: The TetrarchAmerican Classic Pedigree: The Tetrarch Arch-Gift Archway Golden Oracle Double Arch Chaud Stefan the GreatAmerican Classic Pedigree: 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 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 Rolls Royce Fourth Hand Treat Royal MinstrelAmerican Classic Pedigree: Royal Minstrel 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 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 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 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