The Byerley sire line persisted by producing a major sire every few generations, whose sons would create branches of their own. Most of these branches have died out over the course of time. The line of descent to the present day is as follows: • The Byerley Turk (~1680) sired
Jigg in 1705, who sired
Partner in 1718, who sired
Tartar in 1743, who sired
Herod in 1758. Herod was the
leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland from 1777 to 1784. • Herod sired
Highflyer in 1774, leading sire in Great Britain from 1785-1796. Highflyer's line persisted for many generations but died out in the first half of the 20th century. • Herod also sired
Florizel born in 1768, who sired
Diomed (1777). Diomed would become a foundation sire of the American turf. In turn, Diomed sired
Sir Archy who was the first great "sire of sires" in the United States. A few generations later through Sir Archy's line came
Lexington who became the
leading sire in North America sixteen times in the mid-19th century, but his sire line died out in the late 20th century. • Herod's line continued through
Woodpecker, foaled in 1773, who sired
Buzzard (1787). Buzzard founded several sire lines that flourished in the 19th century, most of which withered away in the 20th century. Buzzard's sire line continued through
Selim, foaled in 1802, who was leading sire of 1814. Selim produced yet another flourishing sire line, most of which died away by the mid 20th century. Selim's sire line continued through
Sultan, born in 1816. Sultan was leading sire 6 times. • Sultan in turn sired
Bay Middleton (1833), who was leading sire in 1844 and 1849. Bay Middleton sired several sire sons but most of his line died out by the middle of the 20th century. Bay Middleton's sire line continued through
The Flying Dutchman, born in 1846. The Flying Dutchman sired several sons whose lines gradually died out over the course of the 20th century. The Flying Dutchman's line continued through Dollar in 1860, who sired Androcles in 1870, who sired Cambyse in 1884, who sired Gardefeu in 1895, who sired Chouberski in 1902, who sired Bruleur in 1910. Bruleur sired
Ksar in 1918. • Ksar was a two-time winner of the Arc de Triomphe and the
leading sire in France for 1931. Ksar sired
Tourbillon in 1928. Tourbillon was three-time leading sire in France. As recently as the 1982 stallion register, four sons of Tourbillon were known to have active stallions (
Ambiorix, Coaraze,
Djebel, and Timor). • Djebel sired
My Babu, who also won the 2000 Guineas. The My Babu sire line persisted for several generations, leading to
Cirrus des Aigles, a Group 1 winner as late as 2014. Unfortunately, Cirrus des Aigles was gelded so the My Babu sire line is on the brink of extinction, though as of 2023, sire Bulleton (Australia, 2003) still serves mares in N.S.W., Australia. His sire is Rubiton, by Century, by Better Boy (Ireland, 1951). Better Boy was 4-time Champion Sire in Australia (1965-66, 1970-71, 1971-72 and 1976-77), Sired 35 stakes winners and was Champion Broodmare Sire in Australia 1978-79. alive by means of
crowdfunding, through his son Quite Fine. • Djebel also sired Clarion, born in 1944, who, though less successful than My Babu on the track, is the best hope for the survival of the Byerley Turk sire line. Clarion sired Klairon in 1952, whose son Luthier would lead the french sire list four times. Luthier's sire line continued for a few generations but seems to have died out. Klairon also sired
Lorenzaccio in 1965, who in turn sired
Ahonoora in 1975. Ahonoora proved a very successful sire, with offspring including:
Don't Forget Me (2000 Guineas),
Dr Devious (Epsom Derby), and
Indian Ridge. The Indian Ridge line has hopes primarily through the lineage of three sons:
Compton Place (1994), Indian Rocket (1994), and
Indian Haven (2000). Pearl Secret (son of Compton Place) is at stud in Japan, • A minor Byerley-descended stallion was known to be in South America as recently as 2021, but wasn’t covering many mares. Thus the continuation of the Byerley Turk Thoroughbred sire line via Herod now largely depends on the descendants of Djebel, primarily through four descendants of his son Clarion (Captain Chop, Indian Haven, Pearl Secret, and Luck Money via the Indian Ridge line), that have successfully produced offspring as recently as 2012. The clones and any offspring of them are not considered Thoroughbreds however, as the breed requires procreation by natural means. Focusing on the sire line underestimates the ongoing influence of the Byerley Turk: detailed pedigree analysis shows that he has a higher percentage of blood in the modern Thoroughbred than either of his fellow foundation sires through other lines of descent. Furthermore, the influence of the Byerley Turk has been felt through other horse breeds through his direct male descendants
Diomed (
American Quarter Horse and
Standardbred),
Denmark (
American Saddlebred), and
Justin Morgan (
Morgan horse). In fact, Denmark, Justin Morgan, and
Sir Archy (son of Diomed), are key foundation sires for their respective breeds. • Archer • Black Hearty • Grasshopper • Sprite •
Jigg • Son of Jigg •
Partner (Old) • Partner (Grisewood) • Partner (Moore) • Cato • Little John • Spectre • Sedbury • Soldier • Alfred • Tantivy • Golden Ball • Merry Andrew • Badger •
Tartar • Miner • Beaufremont •
Herod • Tartar (Wildman) • Traveller (Old) • Dainty Davy •
Squirrel • Traveller (Morton) • Ariel • Partner (Lightfoot) • Yorick • Bellair • Silverlegs • Tristram Shandy • Traveller (Lloyd) • Jigg (Heneage) • Robinson Crusoe • Shock • Shock • Bolton •
Basto • Soreheels • Grey Soreheels • Little Scar ==See also==