PARIS, July 11: Gene scientists on Wednesday announced the birth of a cloned horse — son of a prize-winning show jumper — who they hope will pass down the genes of his sire to future generations of champions.

The foal, named E.T. Cryozootech-Stallion, was born on June 2 at College Station in the US state of Texas, the French laboratory Cryozootech said in a statement. He is in good health, Cryozootech founder Eric Palmer said.

As a genetically identical copy of his sire, the cloned foal will be used exclusively for breeding purposes from age three onwards, said Cryozootech.

—AFP