78 



TYPES AND BREEDS 



timent is still strongest there, especially in Virginia. The first 

 Thoroughbred of not© to be imported was Diomed, the winner of 

 the first English Derby, the classic race in England. He was 

 brought over in 1797. In a straight line of descent from Diomed 

 came Sir Archy, the first truly American Thoroughbred ; Boston 

 his grandson, conceded to have been the greatest American race 

 horse, and liis son Lexington, a scarcely less remarkable per- 

 former than Boston and a most influential sire, figuring in 

 American Standardbred and Saddle families as well as in the 

 Thoroughbred. 



Fig. 64. — A Thoroughbred stallion, the sire of race horses. 



Descnption. — The Thoroughbred represents the speed type 

 in the extreme, and, having been the first breed improved, their 

 distinctive characters are well marked (Fig. 64). Most char- 

 acteristic are the extreme refinement; the small, well propor- 

 tioned head; clearly defined features; straight face line; neat 

 ear; fine throttle; sloping shoulders; well-made ^vithers, miis- 

 cular thighs and quarters ; straight hind legs ; usually slightly- 

 bucked knees ; oblique pasterns ; and a rather small foot of dense 

 horn. Their way of going is especially characterized by being 

 low and pointing at the walk and trot, but perfection at the 



