Akhal-Tekes, also called Argamaks by hippologists, have been given as royal and political gifts throughout history. We now know from genetic research that they were likely brought to England either pure or as crossbreds for development of the English Thoroughbred horse–a breed that was once only for the aristocracy.

However, the first purebred Akhal-Teke gifted to and owned in England on record was the famous metallic buckskin stallion, Melekush. Born in 1953, he was sired by Mellek of the Everdy Teleke line and was ridden at the Ashgabat Hippodrome as 2-year-old. In 1956, he was brought to England and given to Queen Elizabeth as a gift at the Epson Hippodrome with national decorated tack from the Soviet Union by Chairman Bulganin and General Secretary Nikita Khrushchev.

Melekush’s coat was so extraordinary that special soap was ordered to remove suspected oils, only to find that he shone more brilliantly when clean. The Stalmeister of the yard, General Walter Sale, thought the stallion was magnificent and the Royal Equerry described the stallion as a remarkable horse. In the photos, you can see Melekush being admired and ridden by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Compiled from the following sources: Her Majesty’s Collection, @ahaltekehorses, FAATH, Bonnie L. Hendricks – International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds, Horse & Hound, Olga Vasilovskaya