There are three stallions that founded the first breeding programs of the Thoroughbred breed. They are the Godolphin Arabian (or the Godolphin Barb), the Byerly Turk, and the Darley Arabian. There is dispute among historians as to the actual breed of the Byerly Turk and the Godolphin Arabian, but the most influential stallion on the Thoroughbred breed is the Darley Arabian.
Together with around 35 mares from England, these imported stallions created the first bloodstock that would be named Thoroughbreds.
Novels have been written about these three stallions, including one called the King of the Wind, a fiction novel by beloved novelist Marguerite Henry, the same woman that wrote the novel series Misty of Chincoteague. In this novel, the life and struggles of the stallion that would become known as the Godolphin Arabian are told through the eyes of his closest companion, a young boy named Agba, who is reportedly real according to historians.
The Darley Arabian is the one stallion that can be traced back from 95% of stallions today. This feat alone gives him more than enough credit for the breed. The Byerly Turk was a war horse used in several battles by his owner, Captain Byerly. These three stallions combined to produce what we know as the Thoroughbred breed today.
Together with around 35 mares from England, these imported stallions created the first bloodstock that would be named Thoroughbreds.
Novels have been written about these three stallions, including one called the King of the Wind, a fiction novel by beloved novelist Marguerite Henry, the same woman that wrote the novel series Misty of Chincoteague. In this novel, the life and struggles of the stallion that would become known as the Godolphin Arabian are told through the eyes of his closest companion, a young boy named Agba, who is reportedly real according to historians.
The Darley Arabian is the one stallion that can be traced back from 95% of stallions today. This feat alone gives him more than enough credit for the breed. The Byerly Turk was a war horse used in several battles by his owner, Captain Byerly. These three stallions combined to produce what we know as the Thoroughbred breed today.
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