Godolphin Arabian

Godolphin Arabian
The Godolphin Arabian, by George Stubbs
Foaled	c. 1724
Owner	Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin
Honours
Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland (1738, 1745, 1747)

The Godolphin Arabian (c. 1724–1753), also known as the Godolphin Barb, was an Arabian horse and was one of three stallions that founded the modern Thoroughbred race horse bloodstock (the others were the Darley Arabian and the Byerley Turk). He was named for his best-known owner, Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin.

The Godolphin Arabian was foaled about 1724 in Yemen and moved several times before reaching England. At some early age he was exported, probably via Syria, to the stud of the Bey of Tunis. From there he was given to Louis XV of France in 1730. It is believed he was a present from monarch to monarch. Even so, he was not valued by his new French owner, and it is believed he was used as a carthorse.

The horse was then imported from France by Edward Coke and sent to his stud at Longford Hall, Derbyshire where he remained until the death of his owner in 1733.

He was bequeathed to Roger Williams, "proprietor of the St. James's Coffee House", who inherited Coke's stallions. He was bought by the 2nd Earl of Godolphin, and placed at his stud at Babraham, Cambridgeshire, until his death on Christmas Day 1753.

The Godolphin Arabian was a brown bay colour with some white on the off heel behind. He stood at 15 hands (60 inches, 152 cm) and was distinguished by an unnaturally high crest which is noticeable from portraits of the horse. Most of his immediate offspring were also bay.