78 



TYPES AND BREEDS 



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

 Thoronghbred of note 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 his 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 stalUon, the sire of race horses. 



Desci-iption. — The Thoroughbred represents the speed type 

 in the extreme, and, having been the first breed im^proved, their 

 distinctive characters are well marked (Eig. 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 withers, mus- 

 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 



