IRL:Darley Arabian
| Main | IRL |
| Darley Arabian | |
|---|---|
| ダーレーアラビアン | |
 |
|
| A painting of the Darley Arabian, by John N. Sartorius | |
| Romaji | Daaree Arabian |
| Foaled | 1700 |
| Died | 1730 |
| Sire | Unknown |
| Dam | Unknown |
| Sex | Horse |
| Color | Bay |
"...he was immediately striking owing to his handsome appearance and exceedingly elegant carriage..."
― Thomas Darley
The Darley Arabian is one of the three dominant foundation sires of the modern thoroughbred horse. The bay Arabian horse was bought in 1704 by Thomas Darley in Aleppo, Syria and was shipped to Aldby Park, England as a gift for his brother Richard Darley. The horse would not be raced and was stood as a sire on the Darley Farm at Aldby Park.
Breeding career
Very little information is known of the Darley Arabian's stud career at Aldby Park. He had covered mares from 1706 to 1719, and was given very few mares, mostly from Thomas Darley's privately bred mares.
The Darley Arabian would sire Flying Childers, consider the first truly great racehorse in history. He would also sire Bartlett's Childers, who would be the great-grandsire of Eclipse.
Darley Arabian would pass away at an advanced age of 30, his cause of death is unknown. Unlike the Godolphin Barb and Byerley Turk, the location of where the Darley Arabian was buried is unknown.
It is estimated that 95% of all modern thoroughbreds can be traced to the Darley Arabian. This is mainly due to Eclipse being a direct ancestor of most thoroughbreds in the world.
Relationships
- Byerley Turk - the eldest of the three foundation sires
- Godolphin Barb - the youngest of the three foundation sires