Thoroughbred

Any horse whos ancestry traces back to the three foundation sires named Byerly Turk, Godolphin Arabian and the Darley Arabian is described as a Thoroughbred.  The foundation stallions were named after their owners and were brought from the Mediterranean Middle East to england at the start of the 17th century in order to breed a stronger native horse.

The result of the breeding was a horse that could carry heavy weight at quick speeds and for long distances.  The sport of horse racing became aristrocratically supported once Thoroughbred's became involved.

In order to ensure the selective breeding process for Thoroughbred horses; the records must be kept accurately.  In 1791, the first stud book was published and it contained pedigress of 387 mares.  Years later, a pedigree registry for American-bred Thoroughbreds was developed in 1873.

The Jockey Club is responsible of guarding and maintaining the stud book.

Thoroughbred racing developed along with the development of the country, and spread from one coast to the next until America had more volume of racing than any other country in the world.