“In the period between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Turkish argamak (thoroughbred) emerged from the nexus of nomadic horse trade and empire to become an expression of the equine ideal. Under Suleiman the Magnificent (1494-1566), the Argamak became the horse of royalty in the Ottoman Empire. Turkoman horses circulated as prestigious diplomatic gifts between Ottoman and European courts, and were also sought after for breeding and racing programs, first in Italy and later in England.”

The role of Turkoman horses, precursors to the Akhal-Teke, during the Ottoman Empire as described in extensive research by Donna Landry of University of Kent and Kristen Guest of University of Northern British Columbia.