International Stallions and Studs: The Founders of Modern World Racing

Michael Seth-Smith starts his book with the statement all of Europe's thoroughbred horses have something in common. That common something's common ancestors in the Byerley Turk and the Darley and Godolphin Arabians. The offspring of these three British imports quickly took over British horse racing. Their services as breeding mares and stallions were also much in demand elsewhere in the world. For example, horse breeders in Virginia early on used a stallion who was fathered by a colt of the Darley Arabian. He was mothered by a filly of the Byerley Turk. The author begins with the story of British horse racing. But he goes on to tell specifically of the American, Canadian, French and Italian stories also. What links all five's the breeding roles of certain thoroughbreds. There's also the link of scientific theory. For it isn't just whim, but careful thought, that's behind which horse is raised for what's hoped to be racing and breeding success. For example, the Chenery family wanted a horse that'd top off short-distance speed with long-distance energy. So they bred Bold Ruler, colt of fast parents, with Somethingroyal, filly of the energetic Princequillo family. The result was Secretariat, winner of the coveted Triple Crown by 31 lengths! Seth-Smith then tells the racing and breeding stories of 11 horses. Those horses are Aureole, Bold Ruler, Fair Trial, Hyperion, Nasrullah, Nearco, Never Say Die, Northern Dancer, Ribot, Star Kingdom, and Tourbillon. Each chapter tells of the particular horse's ancestry and successes on and off the tracks. But why those 11 horses and not others? It's because those 11 set track records for other horses. But it's also because those 11 set the groundwork for horse racing on a world level nowadays. These 11 bring together all INTERNATIONAL STALLIONS AND STUDS! The book's well-written. There are clear pictures of each horse. The information's to the point and timely. For the impact's still felt today.