Evolution of the English Thoroughbred

The evolution of the English Thoroughbred must in its early stages have been an experiment. As the interest in racing grew, the demand for ever-increasing speed and for a bigger horse with greater scope grew with it. It was discovered that the fastest horses were not the pure Arabians, but the larger individuals resulting from the English-bred Arabians and homebred mares of Oriental descent.

By the end of the eighteenth century, the identity of the Thoroughbred had been established. The first studbook was published in 1791 by Mr. James Weatherby and in it were entered the pedigree and stud records of those sires and dams who were the foundation of the breed.

The greatest contribution stemmed from three imported Arabian sires:

The Byerley Turk (about 1648-90)


The Darley Arabian (1700)


The Godolphin Arabian (1730)

All Thoroughbreds in the world today trace their ancestry in direct male line through about 30 generations to these three sires imported to England between 250 and 300 years ago.

There are other Arabians whose names are remembered as landmarks in the breeding and perfection of the Thoroughbred. For example, The Helmsley Turk, the Lister Turk, the Leedes Arabian, the Alcock Arabian (from which every grey Thoroughbred in the world is descended), the Darcy White Turk, and the Darley Yellow Turk. All have contributed to the making of a horse, predominantly bred for speed, of perfect conformation and noble quality for the sport of racing.