In past postings, we’ve covered the importance of Iranian horses since antiquity prized for their size and strength as well as contribution to other breeds… 

In his 2014 book on Australian horses, Nicolas Brasch wrote that the First Fleet destined for Australia left Portsmouth, England, on May 13, 1787… the 11-ship fleet stopped at the Cape of Good Hope to replenish supplies… among goods put on board were horses—the first to eventually land on Australian soil… even for South Africa, horses had only been introduced in mid-17^th century…at first they were small in size but with some Persian breed influence they had become larger by the time they boarded the First Fleet on their way to Australia…

[pic pinterest:  According to the National Museum Australia, “the Waler [pictured here] emerged in Australia from selective breeding of Thoroughbred, Persian and South African Cape horses”… for educational purposes only]