The Godolphin Arabian: The Best Horse Ever

Ranked #3,164 in Pets & Animals, #81,619 overall

The Godolphin Arabian - one of the three original fathers of all race horses...

The Godolphin Arabian, also known as the Godolphin Barb, was a stallion named for one of his owners, Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin.

The Godolphin Arabian is one of three Arabian race horses that sired all other American Thoroughbred Arabian race horses. He was born in North Africa - probably Tunisia, and imported to England.

The Godolphin Arabian lived from 1724 to 1754 - only thirty years - but made a huge impact on horse racing that continues to this day.

The Godolphin Arabian:


"There never was a horse (at least, that I have seen) so well entitled to get racers as the Godolphin Arabian; for, whoever has seen this horse must remember that his shoulders were deeper, and lay farther into his back, than those of any horse ever yet seen."

-- Osmer, a veterinary surgeon (quoted by Prior)

Painting of the Godolphin Arabian

...shown with his cat, Grimalkin.

The Godolphin Arabian

Painted originally from life by Morier; this was a copy by famed horse artist, George Stubbs. This was one of the very few horses he didn't paint from life.

A children's novel about the Godolphin Arabian

...the best horse ever!

Loading

Do you agree?

...can you name another horse you think is better?

Is The Godolphin Arabian the Best Horse Ever?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Yes, I agree with you.

Trisha says:

Secretariat the biggest the fastest the bestest although I will admit that shams blood is probably in secretariat

june says:

the godolphin arabian is the father of all the best racehorses today!

christine peniaranda says:

the daddy of 'em all

Lizzy says:

I think the Godolphin Arabian is the best horse who ever lived

No way! Let me tell you what horse I believe is best!

jennie says:

he is the king of the wind.

 

Names for Arabian horses

...the best horse ever!

Best horse movies

...some of my favorite horse movies!

What the web says about Arabian horses

...some believe Arabians are the best horse ever!

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Powerful Arabian Beauty

...this is what I imagine the Godolphin Arabian looked like as he raced across the English countryside!

Best horse videos

...they aren't all Arabians, but they are horses people thought were the best horses ever.

Patches the Coolest Horse
by jdowell | video info

4,940 ratings | 3,330,152 views
curated content from YouTube

The Godolphin Arabian

...books about him!

The Godolphin Arabian (The Derrydale Press Foxhunters' Library)

Amazon Price: $19.05 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

Loading

Another beautiful Arabian horse

...this could be one of the descendants of the Godolphin Arabian, the best horse ever!

The Godolphin Arabian:


"Behind the shoulders, there was but a very small space ere the muscles of his loins rose exceedingly high, broad, and expanded, which were inserted into his hindquarters with greater strength and power than in any horse I believe ever yet seen of his dimensions, viz fifteen hands high."

-- Osmer, a veterinary surgeon (quoted by Prior)

The Godolphin Arabian - or The Godolphin Barb?

...what should it be?

Many horse researchers believe the Godolphin Arabian came from Tunisia and should be referred to as the Godolphin BARB as Tunisia is on the Barbary Coast of North Africa.

Portraits of this gorgeous horse show a dished profile and high-carried tail; these are features that differentiate an Arabian from a Barb.

The two breeds have a lot in common, but different phenotypes.

Others have called the Godolphin Arabian a Turkoman horse, saying he was called an Arabian just to raise the stud fee!

The Earl of Godolphin called this horse an Arabian, even though he had other horses he said were Barbs. Also the horse painter, George Stubbs (1724-1806) called him an Arabian.



Which should it be?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

The Godolphin Arabian

Something Else...

Felicia says:

Barb or Turk. David Morier did the only portrait "known to have been done from life." Stubbs' was a copy of it, but differs significantly in the conformation. Morier's shows a heavier horse, with less crest and a larger head, more consistent with Barb conformation.

"Turk" probably referred to Akhal Teke types rather than Arabian. Today's racing thoroughbreds look much more like Akhal Tekes than like Arabians, so "Turk" would be reasonable as well. However, the Godolphin doesn't look like an Akhal Teke.

 

Best horse ever!

...24 amazing Arabian stallions and mares!

Arabian Legends: Outstanding Arabian Stallions and Mares

Amazon Price: $12.45 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

Hidalgo - a movie with some beautiful Arabian horses in it

...a man goes to Arabia to race his American Paint against a lot of gorgeous Arabian horses.

Loading

Horse toys, books, collectibles, stamp, even a bell!

...beautiful horses!

Melissa & Doug Pasture Pals

Amazon Price: $10.23 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

Loading

Arabian horses - after a storm

...aren't they magnificent? Can you see why I believe the Godolphin Arabian is the best horse ever?

Best horse ever - horse things for sale on eBay!

...you never know what you might find there!

Loading

Godolphin Arabian links

...what others say about the best horse ever!

Godolphin Arabian
Wikipedia page
Godolphin Arabian
"Few horses have as much legend associated with them as does the Godolpin Arabian..."
Godolphin Arabian Line
His descendants.
Godolphin Arabian
Godolphin Arabian pedigree and portrait.
Godolphin - The Godolphin Arabian
"The Godolphin Arabian (also known as the Godolphin Barb), was foaled in Yemen in 1724 (from Jilfan blood). A brown colt, with a little white on his off-hind heel, he stood 14.3 hands high...."
The Godolphin Arabian -- Messenger and The Standardbred
"The Godolphin Arabian became a foundation stallion in the Earl of Godolphin's 18th Century stud book. He added to the line of Messenger and Hambletonian..."
Godolphin Arabian Timeline
Very cool Google timeline for the Godolphin Arabian!

Best horse ever ... Guestbook!

...so - what do you think of my choice for Best Horse Ever!?

Godolphin Arabian - artist: George Stubbs - The Best Horse Ever!

submit

More books about the best horse ever!

...you can vote for your favorite book, or add one!

King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian by Marguerite Henry

King of the Wind: The Story of the Godolphin Arabian by Marguerite Henry

He was named "Sham" for the sun, this golden-red more...0 points

Observations on breeding for the turf by Nicholas Hanckey Smith

Observations on breeding for the turf by Nicholas Hanckey Smith

This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published more...0 points

The Godolphin Arabian by Eugene Sue

The Godolphin Arabian by Eugene Sue

A dandy story for all horse lovers and a worthy ri more...0 points

American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine by J S Skinner

American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine by J S Skinner

This book an EXACT reproduction of the original bo more...0 points

About Me

Loading

More about horses:

Loading

by

LindaJM

Gifts for Children Who Love Horses more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Arabian horses 

Arabians

Amazon Price: $124.72 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

More gorgeous Arabian horses 

Arabians From the Camera of Johnny Johnston

Amazon Price: $33.19 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now

Flight Without Wings 

...the Arabian horse and the show world.

Flight without Wings: The Arabian Horse and the Show World

Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 02/22/2012)Buy Now