Roi Herode
From Le Sport universel illustré (26 October 1913)
Sire	Le Samaritain
Grandsire	Le Sancy
Dam	Roxelane
Damsire	War Dance
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1904 (1904)
Died	1931(1931-00-00) (aged 26–27)
Country	France
Colour	Grey
Breeder	Maurice Caillaut
Record	24:3-6-1

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.

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.^[1][2] Roi Herode's name means "King Herod" in French, the ruler of Judea at the time of birth of Jesus.^[3]

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.

Notable progeny include:^[2][3][4][5]

• 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 Ruit, 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

The most common source of grey color Thoroughbred horses is through Roi Herode.^[3][6] This influence can be found primarily through his son The Tetrarch and daughter La Grisette (4th dam of Native Dancer).^[2] The Tetrarch grey color influence has been most pronounced in modern times due to the stallions Tapit and Unbridled's Song.^[7][8] 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.^[4][5]

* 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.