Arabians Recorded in England, 17th Century

The earliest record of Arabians in Britain being raced in a match is in 1377, although we know nothing of their breeding or their descendants. From time to time, contemporary documents mention an "Eastern Horse" being presented to Royalty or brought into the country, but it is not until the end of the seventeenth century that we have authentic records of the Arabian stock in the country, together with their performance, pedigrees, and value. This marks the beginning of the English Thoroughbred racehorse.

The importation of Arabians into England, variously described as Barbs, Turks or Arabs, was constant throughout the Tudor period. The owners of these horses were men of wealth and influence who, having had the opportunity to travel abroad, had seen the superiority of the Eastern breeds over the heavy coursers and ambling breeds of England.

The speed, elegance, and quality of the imported Eastern sires encouraged the sport of racing, and the fame of individual horses, both as progenitors and as race winners, began to be recorded. There is no exact information of the breeding of the mares put to these foundation sires. There are records of imported "Oriental" mares and the "Royal Mares" who were presumably the finest of the collection of Arabians bred, purchased or presented to Royalty. But whatever their origin, their progeny was the best proof of their high breeding.

Queen Elizabeth I had a racing establishment at Greenwich, where it is recorded that she kept 40 Oriental horses. Her successors carried on the tradition of Royal studs for the breeding of racehorses, and under the Stuarts many more studs belonging to private individuals were founded for the breeding of "fine horses" sired by Arabians.