Author(s): Jeremy James

Horses | 2022 June New Releases

The incredible story of the most remarkable horse in history. In 1678, a beautiful mahogany bay Karaman colt is foaled in the Balkans. Yet this is no ordinary colt: he is destined to become the magnificent Byerley Turk, the first Foundation Sire of the thoroughbred line.

In 1683, in diamond-and ruby-studded harness of the glittering Ottoman sipahi, the young horse fights as a charger at the Siege of Vienna. Seized as an exotic prize from the Siege of Buda three years later, he is ridden across Europe to the Royal Barracks of King James II in Hounslow, England, where he is acquired in 1687 by Captain Robert Byerley. In 1690, as a charger in the ranks of King William's army, he faces sabre and cannon at the Battle of the Boyne, but not before romping past the winning post at Downroyal and snatching the King's Plate. The stallion died at the age of 25 in 1703.

Until now his story has never been told. Yet on every racecourse in the world today, his bloodline thunders on.