The Byerley Turk

Curator Information

Roda Ferraro, University of KentuckyFollow

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Description

Born around 1680, the Byerley Turk was the earliest of the three foundational stallions.

His exact origins are unknown, but accounts suggest he was brought to England by Colonel Robert Byerley of the Sixth Dragoon Guards after a siege in Hungary during King William’s wars.

The stallion served as Byerley’s war charger for the remainder of his service, and he is known to have carried Byerley into the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Byerley’s charger appears in public records as claiming the victory at the 1690 spring meet at Down Royal in Northern Ireland.

The Byerley Turk went to stud at the family seat at Middridge Grange, County Durham when Colonel Byerley retired from military service. He is known to have been in stud as late as 1701.

The Byerley Turk was an unmarked, dark brown stallion. His noteworthy progeny include Basto and the influential sire, Herod. He died in 1706.

Curation Date

4-2015

Photo Source

A History of the English Turf by Theodore Andrea Cook

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