DIOMED 1777-1808
Imported to Virginia 1798, "His success in America was overwhelming. Admired for his looks and presence, mare owners sent him their best. He gave them a dynasty." "Diomed, a horse of strong 15.3, of high quality but rugged and well-thewed, bred often larger than himself. ... With their size they had rangy frames, heavy bone and sound, strong constitutions..... they lived long and begot progeny innumerable. In modern phrase we may say that they had everything...in superlative degree."
EAGLE 1796-1826
Imported to Virginia 1811, "in regard to size, grandeur and justness of foundation [he] is allowed by all judges to be without exception the finest horse in this or perhaps any other kingdom; and I believe in the essential quality of speed he never has been surpassed by any horse since the time of his grandsire Eclipse; he also enjoys a most excellent constitution, having been eight years in constant training and never unsound or indisposed during the whole time."
GOHANNA 1790-1815
Described as a "plain, powerful, hunter-like style of horse," sired c. 15 hand offspring "with great power, on short legs" and "broad foreheads, small noses, prominent eyes, and were generally very speedy and staying."
PARTISAN 1811-1835
15.2 hands, was said to be "very muscular in form, without heaviness". "A beautiful short-legged horse, with a lovely head, straight hocks."
MULEY foaled 1810
Said to have "larger bone and greater muscular power than any thoroughbred stallion in England." Sire of the 16 hand LEVIATHAN, successful U.S. sire
RUBENS 1805-1829
Described as a "heavy-topped, fleshy horse, standing quite sixteen hands high, and with a flash of speed like lightning."
SIR HERCULES foaled 1826
"He was noted for the silver hairs on his flanks and quarters and at the root of his tail, which he often passed on to his descendants. Without a doubt his best son was Birdcatcher."
SOOTHSAYER foaled 1808
said to be a "large, plain horse whose offspring were often large and good looking, although of uncertain temper."
SORCERER foaled 1796
he was described as a "horse of superior breed, good temper, good feeder, and able to stand work, which qualities he was said to impart to his stock. It was speculated that he derived his 16.1 hand size and considerable substance from Babraham."
SHARK 1771-c.1796
Imported to Virginia 1786, "A highly respected stallion, said to stand about sixteen hands, he was often bred to daughters of Diomed* and produced numerous valuable daughters."
HIGHFLYER 1774-1793
"He was easily the best horse of his day, winning... distances from two to above four miles"- Undefeated.
ORVILLE foaled 1799
described as "slightly over 16 hands... a horse of great power, and fine symmetry and quality."
CITIZEN 1785-c.1810
Imported to NC 1803, Described as "standing 15 hands 1 inch and of great grandeur he was said to be perfectly sound with remarkably good action." "He had more accurate proportions and higher finish - a more game, Arabian look and carriage than any native or imported that I ever had the pleasure to look upon."
MONKEY 1725-1754
Imported to VA c.1737 It was said that he imparted "something magical to his filly foals which made of them the foundation stock for the successful quarter racers which it was the privilege of Janus ultimately to galvanize."
SALTRAM 1780-c.1802
Imported to Virginia 1799, 15.3 hands, described as 'elegant, highly formed'
PRECIPITATE 1787-1805
Imported to Virginia 1803, stood 15.2 hands and was described as "a horse of great beauty and substance," "handsomely marked, of big bone and great muscular strength and powers". 'large and full of fire, bold as a lyon, active as a greyhound and in all his movements ether : he rushes forward like a thunderbolt and hesitates at nothing'." Almost certainly palomino in color.
DUROC 1806-1825
Bred in Virginia, described as "a substantial chestnut colt, and grew to be a muscular, heavily-boned animal standing 15.3 hands. He was also a temperamental horse." Sire of the famous American Eclipse.
SIR ARCHY 1805-1833
Bred and foaled in VA, earned the title "Goldolphin of America because of his influence as a sire. "as a three year old measured over just 16 hands high." He was "A horse of commanding size, with great power and substance. He is eminently superior in all those points indispensable to the turf horse, and mainly contributory to strength and action. His shoulder, the most material part of the horse, is strikingly distinguished, being very deep, fairly mounting up to the top of the withers, and obliquely inclined to the hips. His girth is full and deep, back short and strong, thighs and arms long and muscular, his bone good. His front appearance is fine and commanding-his head and neck are well formed, the latter rising well out of his withers. Take Sir Archy upon the whole, and he has more size, power and substance than we often see combined in the full bred horse."
FINE ENGLISH COARSERS
Lewis and Clark compared the horses of the Nez Perce and related tribes to "Fine English Coarsers", and the finest horses of Virginia. They would have been familiar with fine English Thoroughbreds that were being imported into, bred and raced in Virginia and surrounding states. Here are artists' images and breeder, owner, and studbook descriptions of Thoroughbreds in England and the USA in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
For references and more information onearly Thoroughbreds, please visit tbheritage.com and bloodlines.net/TB
