The Thoroughbred
Renowned for their speed and stamina, the thoroughbred is actually a fairly new breed having been developed in the late 17th century by crossing Arab stallions with English mares. The resulting offspring made a superb athlete and today thoroughbreds still dominate many equestrian disciplines from racing to eventint, showjumping and even dressage. Thanks to this versatility thoroughbreds are one of the most popular horse breeds in the world.
All thoroughbred horses can be traced back to the same three stallions; Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and Byerly Turk. Named after their respective owners, these three stallions were brought to England from the Mediterranean Middle East around the turn of the 17th century and bred to the stronger, but less talented, native horse. The resulting offspring was a horse that could carry weight with sustained speed over extended distances, qualities which brought a new dimension to the burgeoning sport of horse racing.
Standing between 15-17hh one of the most distinctive physical characteristics of thoroughbred horses is their long, slender legs. This gives them a unique advantage when it comes to racing, as they can cover a lot of ground with each stride. In addition to their physical prowess, thoroughbred horses are also known for their courage and determination.