Pure race espagnole
The Sarcidano appears to have ancient Spanish ancestry in common with the Andalusian horse. Studies by Valiati (1997) and by Bell (1999) of transferrins are reported to confirm common ancestry with the Iberian horse of the sixteenth century. A 1996 study of polymorphism in protease inhibitors concluded that "a genetic correlation could be present between Sarcidano Horses and ancient Spanish horses as reported by historical documents about horse breeding in Sardinia". The "constant" presence of the seventh molar in the upper jaw is cited as evidence of ancient origin by Baccino, who notes that this characteristic is shared by only a few ancient breeds such as the Exmoor Pony and the Caspian Horse; he also notes the presence in the Sarcidano of an allele otherwise seen only in Przewalski's Horse.