Thoroughbred Beginnings: Horse History, From Stallions to Mares

Anyone who is interested in thoroughbred horses probably can tell you that three stallions, Byerly Turk, Darley Arabian, and Godolphin Barb are the founding sires of the breed. And this is correct. But it isn't the whole story. http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/ home and http://www.tbheritage.com/ are reliable sources of information about foundation Thoroughbreds.

387 mares were listed in the first book as well as other stallions imported from Eastern countries. James Weatherby called the book he published in 1791 Introduction to a General Stud Book. It is unlikely that any orginal copies will ever be available, but this books has been reprinted a number of times and can sometimes be found at used and rare book shops.

In 1793 he published the first volume of The General Stud Book. This book was revised a number of times over the next century, but in time it was agreed that all Thoroughbreds must trace their lineage back to these three stallions through their illustrious descendants.

Herod represented the line of Byerly Turk who was imported to Ireland in 1690 by Captain Robert Byerley. http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/FamilyNumbers.htm

Eclipse represented Darley Arabian, imported in 1704, through his sire line. Ninety percent of all modern day Thoroughbreds trace their lineage to this stallion. http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/FamilyNumbers.htm

Matchem was the stallion chosen to represent Godolphin Barb who entered England in 1728. http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/FamilyNumbers.htm

Generally overlooked are the 387 mares listed in this first recording of the lineage of the Thoroughbreds. Many of these mares were descendants of mares brought from the Mediterranean area by King Charles II in the mid 1600's. These mares and their female descendants were known as the Royal Mares. http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricDams/FamilyNumbers.html

All Thoroughbreds everywhere in the world are descended from these horses. Though other eastern bred stallions and mares contributed to the early development of the English race horse they are not much known by anyone except devoted historians of the Thoroughbred. http://www.tbheritage.com/

It is from these horses the fastest horses in the world were developed. Today's Thoroughbreds can run a mile in less than two minutes. According to http://www.horsehats.com/horse-racing-records.html the current world record for the mile is held by Mr. Light ,an American Thoroughbred, that ran the mile in 1:31 2/5. These modern day Thoroughbreds would probably run off and leave their early ancestors in the dust.

We can't say for certain these early horses were slower though because of the difference in riding styles, tack, tracks and other technological advances. Eclipse, was so fast that it was said, "Eclipse first. The rest nowhere." Was he as fast as his descendents Man O' War and Secretariat? We'll never know, but it is always fun to wonder how a race between these three horses under equal conditions would turn out.

Sources:

http://www.tbheritage.com/
http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/ home
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoroughbred