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365 Days in Horse Country – Eclipse


Blog by Michael Stuart Webb | July 3rd, 2013


365 Days in Horse Country – Eclipse

 


One of the most famous racehorses of all times was a 16 hand chestnut Thoroughbred stallion named Eclipse.  Eclipse was foaled in England on April 1, 1764 and named after the rare solar eclipse that took place on the day of his birth.  He was a direct descendent of both the Godolphin Arabian and the Darley Arabian – two of the three Thoroughbred foundation sires, along with the Byerly Turk.

Eclipse won all eighteen of the races he entered, and finally retired in 1771 due to lack of willing competition.  He then went on to sire nearly 400 foals.  According to the Royal Veterinary College in London, 80 percent of all Thoroughbreds today show Eclipse in their pedigrees.

 

Michael