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Known as the fastest distance-running horse in the world,
the Thoroughbred is a popular attraction at racetracks throughout the world.
In addition it has exerted a large influence on many horse breeds, especially
competitive Warmbloods. The Thoroughbred is descended from 3 hotblooded
desert stallions, the Godolfin Arabian, the Darley Arabian, and the Byerly
Turk. The stallions' breedings are in dispute, however. Generally it is
believed that the Godolfin was a purebred Arabian horse, but some say that
the Darley Arabian was from the Muniqi strain of Arabians, which contained
a good deal of Turkoman horse (now known as the Akhal Teke horse) blood,
and that the Byerly Turk was either an Arabian horse, an Akhal Teke, or
a Barb horse. The founding mares were of English stock, and even less is
known of their bloodlines. Whatever the Thoroughbred's exact origins, today
it is a high-quality breed with a great deal of scope and versatility, used
not just for racing, but also in Dressage, Hunter/Jumper, Endurance, pleasure
riding, and as a cross breed to improve the quality of other horse breeds. |
