Arabian horses are among the most recognizable breeds, thanks to their beautiful dished faces, elegant bodies, and high tail carriage. Their iconic look has long made them a popular horse in film and among the rich and famous.
Eight of the most famous Arabian horses include Thunder, Flicka, Marwan Al Shaqab, Cass Ole, Godolphin, Darley, Byerly Turk, and Marengo. Each of these famous horses has shined in the spotlight. From movie stars to mascots and even trusty warhorses, they’ve all had their claim to fame.
Here are the most famous Arabian horses in history.
1. Marwan Al Shaqab
Marwan Al Shaqab is a bay Arabian stallion born in 2000 to breeder and owner Al Shaqab Stud. Many consider him the most famous and influential Arabian horse of his generation.
The striking bay stallion has won numerous world and national championships. Born in Qatar, Spanish breeder Marieta Salas of Ses Planes farm leased him as a colt. Then, in 2017 he moved to Houston, Texas, where he resides with trainer Michael Byatt.
Marwan Al Shaqab’s owners were once offered a whopping $20 million for the impressive stallion. However, they didn’t accept the offer as they considered him to be too valuable to sell. His stud fee is an incredible $20,000, and he sires around 50 foals a year.
2. Cass Ole
Cass Ole was the star of one of the most beloved horse movies, The Black Stallion. The beautiful black stallion was born on March 6, 1969, in Texas.
Before his career as a movie star, Cass Ole was a successful show horse. During the seven years he showed, he won over 50 championships and over 20 reserve championships.
His biggest honors include being the National Champion in Arabian Western Pleasure in 1975 and Reserve National Champion Arabian Ladies Side Saddle in 1976. In addition, he was also Top Ten in Arabian English Pleasure in 1975 and 1976.
After his fantastic show career, Cass Ole was chosen to be the star of The Black Stallion and The Black Stallion Returns. To fit the part, Cass Ole had white markings on his legs, and head painted black.
After his first movie’s release, Cass Ole became a celebrity and won the 1980 Humane Society Award for The Prevention of Cruelty To Animals at the International Horse Show in Washington, D.C. He even visited the White House, attended President Reagan’s inauguration, and performed at many prestigious events worldwide.
Cass Ole was also a successful breeding stallion who sired 130 foals.
3. Godolphin Arabian
Born in 1724, Godolphin Arabian is famous for being one of three Arabian stallions to found the Thoroughbred breed. Foaled in Yemen, the bay stallion moved several times before arriving in England.
At an early age, he was gifted to King Louis XV of France. However, the king did not find him valuable, so he put Godolphin to work as a carthorse. After not impressing royalty, he was imported to Longford Hall, Derbyshire.
In England, Godolphin was soon put to stud. Not only did his foals inherit his color and conformation, but they were also famous for their incredible speed. His offspring found much success on the racetrack, contributing to the foundation of the Thoroughbred breed.
4. Darley Arabian
Darley Arabian was born in 1700 and was also one of three Arabians that founded the Thoroughbred breed. The bay stallion was bought by Thomas Darley in 1704 in Syria and was sent to Aldby Park, England, as a gift to Darley’s brother.
In England, Darley stood at stud, and his offspring were noted for being fast and talented. With beauty and refinement, he was the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1722. One of his most famous offspring, Flying Childers, was undefeated in his racing career.
During his life, he sired many successful racehorses. His son, Bulle Rock, was the first Thoroughbred to arrive in America. Today, nearly all Thoroughbreds trace back to Darley.
5. Byerly Turk
Image by John Wootton
Born in 1680, Byerly Turk was the first of the three Arabians that founded the Thoroughbred breed. In 1688, captain Robert Byerley took the dark brown stallion from a Turkish officer in Hungry.
Byerly was then dispatched to Ireland and where Byerly Turk served as his warhorse. The stallion was later brought to England, where he stood at stud.
Byerly Turk’s offspring were fast and elegant like their father. Many of his sons and daughters became famous and successful horses.
6. Marengo
Marengo was Napoleon’s favorite steed and trusty companion. The gray Arabian stallion was small but reliable and courageous in battle.
Imported from Egypt in 1799, Napoleon gave his beloved stallion the name Marengo after winning the Battle of Marengo. During his 15 years of service to his owner, Marengo was wounded eight times without throwing Napoleon off. He was fearless and obedient on the battlefield.
Napoleon and Marengo’s last battle together was the Battle of Waterloo. During this battle, William Petre captured Marengo. Petre brought the stallion back to England and sold him to Lieutenant-Colonel Angerstein. Marengo then stood at stud in New Barnes, England.
7. Thunder
Photo by Jeffrey Beall
If you are a fan of the Denver Broncos football team, you’ve likely seen Thunder before. Thunder is a gray Arabian gelding that serves as the live mascot at home games for the Broncos.
Since 1993, three different Arabians have held the role of Thunder. All three of them have been owned by Sharon Magness-Blake, and since 1998 Ann Judge has trained and ridden them.
Thunder Sr., the original Thunder, was the mascot from 1993-2004. His registered name was JB Kobask, and he was a show horse before joining the team. In addition to attending games, he also made many appearances in the community.
After retiring in 2004, Thunder II took over as the mascot. Registered as Winter Solstyce, the gray gelding was the team’s mascot until 2014. After Thunder II’s retirement, Me N Myshadow stepped up as Thunder III, the current mascot. Every Denver Broncos Thunder horse has held the responsibility of charging the field after every home game touchdown.
Thunder Sr performed in Super Bowl XXXII and Super Bowl XXXIII. Thunder III made an appearance at Super Bowl XLVIII as well as Super Bowl 50. In addition, Thunder III also made appearances in Times Square and on TV morning news shows for pre-game promotion for Super Bowl XLVIII. In addition, Breyer made a model horse of the beloved Thunder.
8. Flicka
In the classic horse TV series, My Friend Flicka, Flicka is played by a chestnut Arabian mare. Flicka, whose real name was Wahana, starred in all 39 episodes from 1955-1956.
The show was remarkable in many ways, as it was the first series ever filmed in color and the first TV series produced by 20th Century Fox. The well-loved series featured a young boy named Ken and his adventures with his faithful horse named Flicka. Flicka is a Swedish name meaning “little girl.”
Wahana was born on June 13, 1950, in Newhall, California. Flicka was 15 hands tall mare, had excellent bloodlines as her sire (father) was the renowned chestnut Arabian stallion, Abu Farwa from Kellogg Arabian Ranch in Pomona, California.
Source: horseyhooves.com
