Califa, the famed polo pony of 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre, has been successfully cloned.
The as-yet unnamed bay colt was born in Texas on April 22, making him the first polo pony cloned.
Aguerre intends to use him as a stallion to pass on the genes that made Califa, a gelding, such a polo sensation.
"I was actually surprised how much he looks like Califa," Aguerre said.
"I couldn't believe it. The position of his neck, hind end and even the expression in his face is so much like the original. I never saw Califa at that age, but he already looks like him."
Califa has a pedigree which includes polo-pony royalty.
"The chance to have him back as a stallion is incredible," Aguerre said.
"His mother, Luna, was one of the greatest broodmares of all time. The whole family line is very strong."
Califa was United States Polo Association Horse of the Year in 2005.
He recently landed a spot on the American Polo Horse Association's Legendary Ponies list and was 2009 APHA Horse of the Year.
Califa returned to Argentina last year to join Aguerre's string for the Argentine Open.
Aguerre plans to take his new colt to Argentina as a yearling and stand him at his Los Machitos operation when he reaches breeding age.
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