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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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thoroughbred
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Though used of any pure-bred animal, the term has had special significance in relation to racehorses, where it is applied to any appearing in the General Stud Book. This equine genealogy was first published in 1791 by James Weatherby and has since then been kept up to date by his descendants. Until 1948, when the rules were relaxed a little, every horse in it could trace its descent back to one of three 18C sires.
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Of these, the Darley Arabian was bought by James Darley in 1704 (the majority of modern thoroughbreds descend in his line, through *Eclipse); the Byerley Turk was owned by Robert Byerley, who rode him in a cavalry charge in 1690 at the Battle of the Boyne (descent is through Herod, foaled 1758); and the Godolphin Arabian belonged to the 2nd earl of Godolphin in about 1730 (descent is through Matchem, foaled 1748). Only horses included in the General Stud Book can race on licensed racecourses in Britain.
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