Ferghana Valley, in the Pamir mountains, was reknowned throughout old China
for the highly prized 'Celestial' or 'Fire Horses' which were bred there.
During the 2nd Century B.C. the first excursions outside of China were made
to this valley in search of these horses. The mountains surrounding the
Ferghana valley are home to ethnic Khirgiz, Nomads who originated in Siberia
and who moved to the Pamirs. The horse is still an essential part of their
everyday life. An important part of the project will be to look for a possible
link between The Byerley Turk and these Nomadic herders. The Byerley
Turk was taken as a spoil of war from a Turkish Cavalier at Buda in 1682
by an Englishman, Captain Byerley. Captain Byerley rode him at the battle
of the Boyne and them introduced him to Stud where he was a prodigious
Sire. The Byerley Turk is one of the three Stallions who must be traced
into the bloodline of any Thoroughbred horse raced anywhere in the world.
THE WEB SITE This journey will be the first phase of the web site. The
site will be uploaded from 'the field' and e-mail facilities will enable
viewers to respond to the story and present ideas, contacts and input
which will enrich the story and give the viewers the option of interactivity
with the journey.
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