White Thoroughbred Grand Espoir Blanc Dead

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Grand Espoir Blanc, the fifth white Thoroughbred registered by the Jockey Club and the second male, was euthanized at age 21 in December. The gelded son of One for All had lost his coordination and was unable to rise.

A homebred for John Franks, Grand Espoir Blanc won three of 16 races and earned $35,530, making him the second-leading money-winning white Thoroughbred. After retirement, he was used for dressage for several years before a growing sensitivity to the sun made performing difficult.

Grand Espoir Blanc, who was produced from the What a Pleasure mare Erasure, lived at Franks Farms near Shreveport, La., for many years. After Franks' death, Grand Espoir Blanc was given to one of Franks' trainers, Sherry Milligan, who cared for him at her Shreveport farm. Grand Espoir Blanc was buried at Milligan's farm.

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