Oktavian Kinsky
Encyclopedia
Count Oktavian Kinsky was a member of the Kinsky
dynasty and noted horse breeder
. He married Agnes Schaffgotsch genannt Semperfrei von und zu Kynast und Greiffenstein (1810–1888). Recorded in the Almanach de Gotha
, the couple were amongst the grandest elite of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They had no children.
Kinsky was Bohemia
's and Europe
's most successful horse breeder. In 1834 he expanded the already renowned family stud farm
in Eastern Bohemia. The gold-coloured horses he bred there were some of the finest in the world, and remained so until the mid 20th century.
The breeding programme of the Kinsky horse
placed huge importance upon temperament, stamina and agility.
Later in his life Kinsky introduced Europe
an style fox hunting
to Bohemia, and in 1846 he introduced English
style point-to-point racing. Finally in 1874 he created a Grand National
style race, known today as the Pardubice
Grand National, Europe's most strenuous test of equine stamina.
Kinsky
The Kinsky family of the Counts and later Princes was one of the oldest and most illustrious families originating from Bohemia...
dynasty and noted horse breeder
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
. He married Agnes Schaffgotsch genannt Semperfrei von und zu Kynast und Greiffenstein (1810–1888). Recorded in the Almanach de Gotha
Almanach de Gotha
The Almanach de Gotha was a respected directory of Europe's highest nobility and royalty. First published in 1763 by C.W. Ettinger in Gotha at the ducal court of Frederick III, Duke of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, it was regarded as an authority in the classification of monarchies, princely and ducal...
, the couple were amongst the grandest elite of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They had no children.
Kinsky was Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
's and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
's most successful horse breeder. In 1834 he expanded the already renowned family stud farm
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
in Eastern Bohemia. The gold-coloured horses he bred there were some of the finest in the world, and remained so until the mid 20th century.
The breeding programme of the Kinsky horse
Kinsky horse
The Kinsky horse or Equus Kinsky was Europe's original sport horse. It was bred until the middle of the 20th century in Bohemia, a part of the modern-day Czech Republic. At one time it was the most prominent breed in that part of the world....
placed huge importance upon temperament, stamina and agility.
Later in his life Kinsky introduced Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an style fox hunting
Fox hunting
Fox hunting is an activity involving the tracking, chase, and sometimes killing of a fox, traditionally a red fox, by trained foxhounds or other scent hounds, and a group of followers led by a master of foxhounds, who follow the hounds on foot or on horseback.Fox hunting originated in its current...
to Bohemia, and in 1846 he introduced English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
style point-to-point racing. Finally in 1874 he created a Grand National
Grand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
style race, known today as the Pardubice
Pardubice
Pardubice is the capital city of the Pardubice Region and lies on the river Elbe, 65 miles east of Prague. Pardubice has an antique centre square and old town, with many restaurants that stay open until late in the evening. There is an old Tower and a recently renovated Castle...
Grand National, Europe's most strenuous test of equine stamina.
External links
- http://www.kinsky.de/
- http://www.equus-kinsky.com/