The Byerley Turk

The True Story of the First Thoroughbred

Jeremy James author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Merlin Unwin Books

Published:29th Sep '05

Should be back in stock very soon

The Byerley Turk cover

This is the true story of the most remarkable horse in history. In 1678, a beautiful mahogany bay Karaman colt is foaled in a stable on a feudal landholding in the Balkans. Yet this is no ordinary colt: this is a colt with a destiny. 

He is destined to become the magnificent Byerley Turk, the first Foundation Sire of the thoroughbred line. From his early days the young horse is hard-schooled in the disciplines of war. In 1683, in diamond and ruby-studded harness in the ranks of the glittering Ottoman sipahi, he 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.

After two years of bitter campaigning in Ireland he is shipped back to England, where his owner, now Colonel of his regiment, retires him to Goldsborough Hall in Yorkshire.

Here the horse is put to Stud and begins a long well-earned retirement. He died at the age of 25 in 1703.

No stone marks his grave. Until now his story has never been told. But on racecourses throughout the world today, his blood thunders on.

By the end of the first chapter I was hooked. Set in a forgotten time, the book draws you into the life of this magnificent horse, you feel yourself willing him to survive, forcing him to battle on through adversity.

-- Sue Porter * England’s Equestrian *

This is no dry academic work; it is written as a dramatic narrative that has the reader savouring the twists and turns of every page. Told form the viewpoint of Azarax’s groom, the story is not only a compelling account of the life of the horse, but a vivid exploration of a long-distant epoch. With an almost cinematic breadth of vision, we are witness to the fall of empires and the splitting of nations, to a clash of cultures whose cannon roar and sword clash can still be heard in conflicts around the world today.

* Horse Magazine *

I have read a lot of books … this is a strong contender for my favourite ever. Minutely researched and written with passion, this is a wonderful book.

* Farmers Guardian, Country Vi

ISBN: 9781873674765

Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 36mm

Weight: 750g

424 pages