Arab (horse)

Arab (1824–1841) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a brief racing career, the filly ran three times with her only success coming in the classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1827.

Background

Arab was a brown mare bred by her owner George FitzRoy, 4th Duke of Grafton at his stud at Euston Hall in Suffolk. She was the first foal of her dam Zeal who won the 1000 Guineas in 1821: Zeal was a half-sister of Zinc who won both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks in 1823. Her sire Woful was a brother of the Derby winners Whalebone and Whisker. He was also a successful stallion, siring the classic winners Zinc and Augusta (Epsom Oaks) before being exported to Prussia in 1832. Grafton sent the filly to be trained at Newmarket by Robert Robson, the so-called "Emperor of Trainers".

Racing career

1827: three-year-old season

Arab began her racing career on May 1, 1827 at Newmarket's Second Spring meeting. She ran in a Sweepstakes over the Ditch Mile course restricted to the produce of mares which had not produced a winner before 25 May 1825. The only filly in a field of four runners, Arab was not strongly supported in the betting but finished second to a colt named Pontiff, beaten two lengths. Two days later,over the same course and distance, Arab started the 8/1 (or 10/1) third favourite for the 1000 Guineas Stakes which despite its name carried a prize of 1,400 guineas.Lord Exeter's filly Marinella was made favourite ahead of Monody who was owned, like Arab, by the Duke of Grafton. The race produced a close finish between the two Grafton runners, with Arab prevailing by a head over her better fancied stable companion. Arab's win was the eighth in the race for the Duke of Grafton, a ninth for Robert Robson and a sixth for her jockey Frank Buckle.

Arabian horse

The Arabian or Arab horse (Arabic: الحصان العربي ‎ [ ħisˤaːn ʕarabiː], DMG ḥiṣān ʿarabī) is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses in the Middle East that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years. Throughout history, Arabian horses have spread around the world by both war and trade, used to improve other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance, and strong bone. Today, Arabian bloodlines are found in almost every modern breed of riding horse.

The Arabian developed in a desert climate and was prized by the nomadic Bedouin people, often being brought inside the family tent for shelter and protection from theft. Selective breeding for traits including an ability to form a cooperative relationship with humans created a horse breed that is good-natured, quick to learn, and willing to please. The Arabian also developed the high spirit and alertness needed in a horse used for raiding and war. This combination of willingness and sensitivity requires modern Arabian horse owners to handle their horses with competence and respect.