Thoroughbreds are a type of horse that is renowned for their speed and stamina. The thoroughbred is a relatively new breed, having been developed in the late 17th century from a cross between Arabian and Barb stallions and English mares.
Breed origin: One of the best-known horse breeds in the world, the Thoroughbred was developed in England by crossing native English mares with Arabian, Barb and Turkoman (today's Akhal-Teke) stallions to create the Thoroughbred that we know and love today.
The Thoroughbred, as it is known today, was developed in 17th- and 18th-century England, when native mares were crossbred with imported stallions of Arabian, Barb, and Turkoman breeding.
Thoroughbred, breed of horse developed in England for racing and jumping (see photograph). The origin of the Thoroughbred may be traced back to records indicating that a stock of Arab and Barb horses was introduced into England as early as the 3rd century.
Unique Characteristics of the Thoroughbred
A thoroughbred's athleticism and refined appearance are its defining characteristics. These horses can reach speeds of around 40 miles per hour. Their hindquarters are particularly muscled, which amplifies thrust as they gallop.
The most obvious place to begin is a lip tattoo. The Jockey Club — the breed registry for Thoroughbreds racing in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico — says most state racing commission rules require horses to be lip tattooed to participate in official Thoroughbred races.
Nearly all of today's racehorses can be traced back to one of three 'foundation' stallions – The Darley Arabian, The Godolphin Arabian and The Byerley Turk.
1. : a purebred or pedigreed animal. capitalized : any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing that originated from crosses between English mares of uncertain ancestry and Arabian stallions. 3. : a thoroughly educated or skilled person.
Horses don't have to be a Thoroughbred to race. Many different horse breeds compete in sanctioned horse races, including Quarter horses, Arabians, Paints, and Standardbreds. Matching horses in a test of speed is an ancient competition that has basically remained unchanged since its inception.
What is the Triple Crown? The Kentucky Derby (first run in 1875), the Preakness Stakes (1873) and the Belmont Stakes (1867) make up the Triple Crown series for 3-year-old thoroughbreds.
horse breed cross-bred between Thoroughbred and another breed.
Thoroughbred x Quarter Horse
An Appendix horse is a first-generation cross between a registered Quarter Horse and a registered Thoroughbred. These athletic horses are the “best of two breeds,” according to the American Appendix Horse Association.
Racehorses can be either male or female. Mares (female horses) compete against their male counterparts and often win. Some of the world's best racehorses have been female. Female racehorses don't get the respect they're due.
The genetics behind the black horse are relatively simple. The color black is primarily controlled by two genes: Extension and Agouti.
White thoroughbred horses are exceedingly rare: As few as one in 100,000 are considered pure white. To qualify, the horse's entire coat must be white and cannot have any other colors.
The Appendix Quarter Horse is a first-generation cross between a Thoroughbred and an American Quarter Horse (or between registered and appendix American Quarter Horses).
Standardbreds are descended from thoroughbred racehorses and have a similar lean build, but with shorter legs and heavier bones. In the 1800s, breeders selected horses that could trot or pace a mile (1.6 kilometers) within the "standard" time of 2 minutes to develop the breed.
Popular Thoroughbred stallions may cover three mares per day, seven days a week during the season, which runs from September 1 to December 31 each year.
Additionally, a Paint must have white markings that meet the breed's standards. Offspring of two Quarter Horses, two Thoroughbreds, or a Quarter Horse and a Thoroughbred with the required markings can also be registered Paints, but they need to have submitted parentage and coat pattern DNA information.
Female racehorses are called fillies until they're four; then they are mares.
What is a female horse called? Any female horse over the age of four years old is called a mare. Between the age of one-year-old and four years old, female horses are referred to as fillies.
Male horses – known as stallions, geldings or colts depending on whether their manhood is still intact – far outnumber females – called fillies – on the track. In British flat racing, 63% of horses are male, while 37% are female.
Unlike most other horse breeds the Icelandic horse has remained pure for centuries! The horses were brought to Iceland by the Vikings who settled here in the 9th century. The horses have not been mixed with other breeds since they were brought here and that makes them amongst the purest breeds in the world.
One of the most famous race horses of all times, Eclipse was foaled in England during an eclipse of the sun in 1764. The colt, who stood 15.2 hands, was not much for looks, but he had a proud heritage.
The average life expectancy of a Thoroughbred horse is 25 to 35 years.