Turkoman horse
The Turkoman horse, or Turkmene, was an Oriental horse breed from the steppes of Central Asia, now extinct. They influenced many other horse breeds, including the Thoroughbred horse. Some horses bred in Iran and Turkmenistan today are still referred to as Turkoman, and have similar characteristics.
Modern descendants include the Akhal-Teke, the Iomud (also called Yamud or Yomud), the Goklan and Nokhorli.
Characteristics
The Turkoman horse was noted for its endurance. It had a slender body, similar to a greyhound. Although refined in appearance, the breed was actually one of the toughest in the world. They had a straight profile, long neck, and sloping shoulders. Their back was long, with sloping quarters and tucked-up abdomen. They had long and muscular legs. The horses ranged from 15–16 hands.
The coat of a Turkomen horse could have been of any color, and usually possessed a metallic glow. This was due to a change in the structure of the individual hair. Many theories have been formulated to explain why hair of the Turkomen and its descendants shines, but none explain why the Turkoman horses in particular benefitted from this genetic difference and why other horses would not.
Turkoman (horse)
Turkoman (foaled April 11, 1982 in Kentucky) is an American Thoroughbred racehorse and sire.
Background
Owned and bred by Corbin J. Robertson, he was sired by 1989 United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee Alydar out of the Table Play mare, Taba, who was the Champion 2 year old Filly in Argentina.
Raced under Corbin J. Robertson's Saron Stable banner, Turkoman was trained by Gary Jones.
Racing career
Turkoman was lightly raced at two, winning only a six-furlong maiden race at Hollywood Park.
At three, he won the Grade III Affirmed Handicap, placed second in the Grade I Travers Stakes, was second in the Grade I Swaps Stakes, finished second in the California Derby, and was second in the Breeders' Cup Classic behind winner Skywalker.
At four, he beat Preakness Stakes winner Gate Dancer in both the Widener Handicap and the Oaklawn Handicap and outdueled Precisionist down the stretch for a win in the Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap to clinch the 1986 U.S. Champion Older Male Horse.
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