"Ben" (I Was Framed x Facsimile).

"Ben" is the first foal of the US-imported stallion I Was Framed, who was the first thoroughbred to be registered as coloured with Weatherby's.

Ben is registered as a bay overo and was born on February 26. He is out of Facsimile, whose progeny are all winners, including Picot de Say who was a triple winner last year over 17 days.

Ben's owner, Shena Halliwell, said I Was Framed was sold to Ireland last year after covering nine thoroughbred mares in Britain. Halliwell has another mare due to I Was Framed in April.

Given his breeding, Halliwell is excited about the young colt's future prospects on the racetrack and in the breeding shed.

"He is a good, strong foal and very well put together. I have been breeding horses for nearly 20 years, and he is the boldest, cheekiest foal we've had! He has plenty of character," she says.

Ben's sire I Was Framed is by the black overo stallion Racey Remarque (Sonny's Solo Halo, by Halo). Halo sired Sunday Silence, the winner of the Preakness and Kentucky Derby and $US4,968,554. Racey Remarque died in 2003 after a paddock accident.

I Was Framed, sire of Britain's first coloured thoroughbred foal.

According to DNA tests, I Was Framed was found to have: 1 black gene; 1 red gene; 1 agouti gene; 1 non agouti gene; 1 frame gene; 1 non frame gene; and 1 LW gene. Nearly all of his progeny should be sabino, with half carrying the frame pattern.

I Was Framed is standing at Drumhowan Stud in County Monaghan this season.

His dam is the coloured mare Dance Spot, who was the winner of $US48,000 over a mile. Her dam Dancebell won more than $US200,000 during her race career.