Shadowfax
was Gandalf's horse, played by Domero (was a 16-year-old Andalusian stallion,
used for standing scenes), and Blanco (12-year-old thoroughbred cross gelding,
used for galloping scenes). He was a gift to Gandalf from King Theoden. Shadowfax
is the chief of the Mearas horses, and he is the only horse able to stand
up to the Witch-King. He is ridden without tack, although in some scenes in
the movie you can see stirrups. The name Shadowfax means "shadowy grey coat."
It is an anglicized version of the name Sceadu-faex in the language of Rohan.
The word fax is an obsolete English word meaning "hair." Domero died in July
2003 from a melanoma cancer on his stomach. Owner Mark Kineston-Smith of Otaki,
NZ, bought Domero aware of the condition. Domero has no foals to carry his
legacy.
