Scientists and veterinarians today (March 30) announced the birth of the first commercially cloned mare, created from the cells of champion cutting horse Royal Blue Boon. The filly, Royal Blue Boon Too, was carried to term by a recipient mare and was born on Feb. 19 at Royal Vista Southwest Farms in Purcell, Okla.

Royal Blue Boon and her clone, Royal Blue Boon Too, pictured with Dr. Jim Bailey of Royal Vista Southwest in Purcell, Okla., and Royal Blue Boon’s owner, Elaine Hall of Weatherford, Texas.

Royal Blue Boon Too is one of several cloned foals that have been born in 2006–cloned foals have been born at Texas A&M University this spring. The first equine clones were born in 2003; mules in Idaho came first, followed by a filly in Italy. In 2005, the first commercially cloned horse was born, created from the genetic material of a champion endurance gelding