Fascinating Facts About Thoroughbreds
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Whether running on the track or ambling down the trail, the Thoroughbred horse has many fans. Thoroughbreds have a long and interesting history. Here are a few fast facts about the Thoroughbred horse.
1. The history of the Thoroughbred breed starts in England in the 1700s with the race-loving aristocracy. All Thoroughbreds trace their pedigrees back to one of three stallions who were bred to heavier boned native horses. All three stallions are identified by the last names of their owners.
Byerly Turk - The Byerly Turk was a horse captured by Captain Byerly during a battle in Turkey. The horse is thought to have been an Arabian. The horse carried Captain Byerley into battle, and later sired several foals that became important sires in the Thoroughbred stud book.
Darley Arabian - The Darley Arabian was imported from Syria by Thomas Darley of Aldby Park as a gift for a his brother. Paintings depict him as an elegant dark bay with three white socks. He was tall for an Arabian of his day at 15HH. The famous racehorse Eclipse was the Darley Arabian’s grandson, and today, most Thoroughbreds carry the Darley Arabian’s genetics.
Godolphin Arabian - after the horse had been bought and sold several times, Lord Godolphin of Cambridgeshire bought the Godolphin Arabian in 1728. It is thought the Goldophin Arabian was at one time a gift to Louis XV of France, but because the monarch did not value the horse, he may have been used to pull a water cart through the streets of Paris. His offspring is known for its even temperament. Early historians speculate that the Godolphin may have been a Barb Horse. From a lowly cart horse, to the sire of famous racehorses, the Godolphin Arabian’s grave site can still be visited in the Gog Magog Downs, England.
2. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the highest race speed was run by Winning Brew in 2008 at the Penn National Race Course, in Pennsylvania. Usually colts run faster than fillies, but this filly ran at a maximum speed of 43.97 mph (70.76 kmh). One of the most famous racehorses, Secretariat won the Belmont Stakes with a speed of 40.18mph (64.66kmh). The highest speed record in a short, however, is held by the American Quarter Horse, many of which have Thoroughbreds in their pedigrees.
3. The stride length of a Thoroughbred at top speed is over 20 feet. Secrectariat had a stride length of 24.8 feet (7.6 m), slightly over the average length of stride.
4. Thoroughbreds also hold the record for being the highest jumping horses. Huaso was Thoroughbred who set the high-jump world record on February 5, 1949, by jumping 8 ft. 1 in. (2.47 m).
5. All Thoroughbred’s birthdays are recorded as January 1. To give the young horses as much growing time as possible before their race careers begin, breeders aim to have mares foal as close to January 1 as possible.
6. Thoroughbreds have contributed to the athleticism of many types and breeds of horses, including Warmbloods, Quater Horses, Draft Crosses, Anglo Arabians and others.
7. While Thoroughbreds may be the hard running, high jumping athletes of the horse world, they also make great mounts, often content to stroll down the trail despite a successful race career. |
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GoodMorning
Just gonna say, that is a terrible picture. His leg slipped way back and his heels flew up, he's ducking to the side, and the horse has very loose, floppy legs. I wonder if they made it over...
I do like the breed though. I've met some sane ones, and some not so sane ones, just like any breed, but I would own one if he didn't need grain, since our horses are just pastured 24/7/365 with no grain/blankets.
Just gonna say, that is a terrible picture. His leg slipped way back and his heels flew up, he's ducking to the side, and the horse has very loose, floppy legs. I wonder if they made it over...
I do like the breed though. I've met some sane ones, and some not so sane ones, just like any breed, but I would own one if he didn't need grain, since our horses are just pastured 24/7/365 with no grain/blankets.
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Jun 18, 2013
• 23,868 views
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Polo the Weirdo
MOD
Great article, very interesting. :) I love my Thoroughbreds.
Great article, very interesting. :) I love my Thoroughbreds.
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Jun 18, 2013
• 23,871 views
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Eire
Thoroughbreds registered with the Jockey Club have their birthday every January 1, yes, and even so many people still record their foal date, most prominently Equibase
Thoroughbreds registered with the Jockey Club have their birthday every January 1, yes, and even so many people still record their foal date, most prominently Equibase
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Jun 18, 2013
• 23,621 views
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Copper711
Thoroughbreds are the BEST breed ever!!!!! I love them!!!!!!!!!
In australia all Thoroughbreds celebrate thier birthdays on the 1st of August, a guy who was named Thomas Austan worked for the Monee Vally racing commitee and they decided it would be easier to have thier b'days all on the same day, I dont know how they came up with the first of August (a fay before my B'day though so whats there to complain about, lol)
Thoroughbreds are the BEST breed ever!!!!! I love them!!!!!!!!!
In australia all Thoroughbreds celebrate thier birthdays on the 1st of August, a guy who was named Thomas Austan worked for the Monee Vally racing commitee and they decided it would be easier to have thier b'days all on the same day, I dont know how they came up with the first of August (a fay before my B'day though so whats there to complain about, lol)
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Jun 19, 2013
• 23,643 views
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