90 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Foundation stock. — According to British authors, the 

 I Thoroughbred was created by Charles II., son of Charles 

 1 1. He not only took an active interest in racing, but 

 .'imported direct from the Orient. His most notable im- 

 portation was that of two Barb mares, which, with their 

 descendants, are commonly known as the "King's mares" 

 or "Royal mares," and are regarded by some authorities 

 as the foundation dams of the breed. Others, however, 

 doubt the accuracy of thus limiting the base of the breed. 

 By far the more noted of the foundation animals are the 

 three famous foreign stallions, Godolphin Barb, Byerly 

 Turk and Darley Arabian. 



Three famous Oriental sires. — During the formation of 

 the Thoroughbred there were many horses introduced 

 into England. Three of these foreign horses exerted an 

 influence so important as to make them worthy special 

 mention. 



Byerly Turk. — Captain Byerly's charger at the battle 

 of the Boyne, during the wars of William in Ireland, at- 

 tracted such favorable comment that he was subsequently 

 placed in the stud and became famous as a sire of speed, 

 his descendants being represented by Herod. He became 

 known as Byerly Turk, is said to be of pure Arabian 

 /descent, and was probably brought to England in 1689. 

 Darley Arabian. — Mr. Darley, a merchant at Aleppo, 

 Syria, sent an Arabian horse, as a gift, to his brother, 

 Mr. John B. Darley of Aldby Park, near York. This 

 horse, a pure Arab, was bay in color with a blaze on the 

 face and white on three feet, and stood about 15 hands 

 high. He was known as Darley Arabian, and became 

 a very famous sire, his descendants being represented by 

 Flying Childers and Eclipse, the greatest racers of their 

 day. Darley Arabian was brought to England about 

 1706. 



Godolphin Barb. — The Emperor of Morocco presented 

 to Louis XIV. an Arab (or a Barb) stallion, which was so 

 little valued by the French ruler that he was placed in the 



