<<< back to article list

365 Days in Horse Country – Idaho Gem


Blog by Michael Stuart Webb | August 4th, 2013


365 Days in Horse Country – Idaho Gem
 


The very first member of the equine family to ever be cloned was a mule named Idaho Gem.  Produced as part of a joint effort between the University of Idaho and Utah State University, the mule was born to a horse mother and was the clone of the full brother to a successful racing mule named Taz.  It took many attempts before a successful cloned mule foal was delivered to term.  Since then, several other mule clones have been born.

Don Jacklin, an Idaho businessman and former president of the American Mule Racing Association, funded the project.  In 2006, Idaho Gem ran his first race and won.  Since then, he set the record for a 350-yard (320,) course by running the fastest time by a three year old mule.  In his racing career thus far, Idaho Gem won two first, two seconds, a third, and fourth out of six total races.
 

Michael