Page 62 - Demo

The Godolphin Arabianby George StubbsThe Godolphin Arabian (c.1724–1753), also known as theGodolphin Barb, was an Arabian horse who was one ofthree stallions that founded the modern Thoroughbred(the others were the Darley Arabian and the Byerley Turk). Hewas named after his best-known owner, Francis Godolphin, 2ndEarl of Godolphin.ORIGINSThe Godolphin Arabian was foaled about 1724 in Yemen andmoved several times before reaching England. At some earlyage, he was exported, probably via Syria, to the stud of the beyof Tunis. From there he was given to Louis XV of France in 1730.It is believed he was a present from monarch to monarch. Notvalued by his new French owner, it is believed he was used as acarthorse.The horse was then imported from France by Edward Cokeand sent to his stud at Longford Hall, Derbyshire, where he remained until the death of his owner in 1733.He was bequeathed to Roger Williams, \James's Coffee House,\bought by the 2nd Earl of Godolphin and placed at his stud atBabraham, Cambridgeshire, until his death on Christmas Day1753. A stone marks his grave under the archway of the stableblock of Wandlebury House.APPEARANCEThe Godolphin Arabian was a bay color with some white onthe off heel behind. He stood at 15 hands and was distinguishedby an unnaturally high crest, which is noticeable from portraitsof the horse. Most of his immediate offspring were also bay.The veterinary surgeon Osmer described the Godolphin Arabian in the following manner:There never was a horse… so well entitled to get racers as theGodolphin Arabian…his shoulders were deeper, and lay fartherinto his back, than those of any horse yet seen. Behind the shoulders, there was but a very small space where the muscles of hisloins rose exceedingly high, broad, and expanded, which wereinserted into his quarters with greater strength and power thanin any horse . . . yet seen.BREED CONTROVERSYControversy exists over the ancestry of this horse; some writers referred to him as a Barb, but Judith Blunt-Lytton, 16thBaroness Wentworth of the Crabbet Arabian Stud concludes thatit is most widely believed that he was an Arabian or had primarily Arabian lineage.\on the Barbary Coast. Whyte, in the 1840 History of the BritishTurf, refers to the horse as \been improperly called, the Godolphin Arabian\added) before further clarifying, \bian, although his points resembled more those of the highestbreed of Barbs.\high-carried tail and dished profile, features that differentiate thetwo types, lead modern experts to believe he was more likely anArabian. The confusion is understandable, but while the breedshave some characteristics in common and are distantly related,their phenotypes are quite distinct. There was also an argumentThe Godolphin Arabian62 Arizona Horse Connection February, 2026continued on page 64(928) 848-6788 Capture your story with timeless photographyinspired by love and authentic moments.