‘Always Bet the Gray:’ The History Behind Derby Favorite Essential Quality’s Silver Coat Sponsored by:
Godolphin homebred Essential Quality, ridden by Luis Saez, wins the TVG Juvenile Presented By Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Breeders Cup Championship Friday at Keeneland on November 6, 2020: in Lexington, Kentucky. John Voorhees/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup/CSM
A gray Thoroughbred is often a head-turner, not only for its sterling coat but for its relative rarity. Comprising only a small percentage of the breed, they are outnumbered by their bay, brown and chestnut stablemates.
This year, though, you might just see a garland of roses placed around a gray colt s neck.