At least two films and one book have adapted the story of Seabiscuit, a Thoroughbred who started out as a dark horse in the world of horseracing, eventually becoming one of its most prolific icons. The 2003 movie Seabiscuit, is by far the most successful, earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for best career. Seabiscuit started out with an unimpressive career, but grew to become an unlikely champion and a shining beacon of hope during the Great Depression.
Thoroughbreds have only been around for about 200 years, making them a relatively new breed, at least in the world of horses. What makes them amazing, aside from their galloping ability, is that each and every Thoroughbred in existence traces its direct lineage to three legendary Arabian stallions imported from the Middle East into England. The tree horses are the Godolhpin Arabian, the Darley Arabian, and the Byerley Turk.
With the popularity of horseracing, Thoroughbreds have emerged as highly valued animals, with each one easily fetching a five-digit price tag—and that’s just for the ordinary Thoroughbred. A horse that has won races will fetch an even higher sum.
If you’ve heard of the Kentucky Derby before, you may have wondered why the state plays a central role in horseracing. Back in the day when Thoroughbreds were imported into the Americas by settlers in the 1700s, many of them settled in Kentucky, a state known for its wide pastures of bluegrass, which the Thoroughbreds thrived on. Today, Kentucky is the undisputed Thoroughbred capital of the US.
Thoroughbreds are known for their athleticism, versatility and elegance. Not only are they born to race, they’re also excellent as dressage horses and eventers.
Thoroughbreds Video
