The Godolphin Arabian (ca 1724 - 1754), also known as the Godolphin Barb, was one of three horses which were the founders of the modern thoroughbred horse racing broodstock. The Godolphin Arabian was foaled in Yemen. He was a gift to King Louis XV of France; he was subsequently purchased in Paris by Edward Coke of Holkham Hall, son of the Earl of Leicester and sold to Francis, Earl of Godolphin, who maintained a stud in Suffolk near the racing town of Newmarket. There the Godolphin Arabian was bred to England's finest mares.