Victoria may become the latest outpost in efforts to save a unique breed of horses from the island of Skyros.
The species is considered a descendant of the mounts Achilles took to Troy and those used by Alexander the Great (as featured in the Parthenon Frieze) but their numbers have reduced alarmingly in recent decades.
Today, the Skyrian horse is one of the rarest breeds in the world, with fewer than 100 breeding mares worldwide.
Carrying the torch for the Skyrian horse in Australia is business consultant Margaret Moore who runs a farm and holiday retreat in Mansfield on the edge of Victoria’s High Country.
Ms Moore’s plan is to bring a group of horses to the state as part of a global effort to breed the species, but transporting them to Australia may cost up to $170,000.
A similar breeding group was successfully exported to Scotland in 2005. There the herd has grown to over 20.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Ms Moore said that six animals – two stallions and four mares – were needed to have a reasonable gene pool and start a herd in Victoria.
“It costs $30,000 per horse to fly an animal from Europe. This charge includes two to three weeks quarantine at either end of the journey.
“I need to ship probably from two or three locations – Corfu and Skyros and possibly Thessaloniki – and pay the transport costs to Germany where they would go into quarantine.”
Ms Moore is currently developing a fundraising campaign and will approach long-haul airlines with a view to sponsoring the horses’ journey to the southern hemisphere.
“This is a very expensive exercise but I believe it is vitally important to Greek heritage, the breed and the maintenance of endangered species,” she said.
As part of the initial promotion of the project, Ms Moore plans to undertake a sponsored ride on another ancient equine breed – Norwegian Fjord horses – along the railway trail from Tallarook to Mansfield.
Fundraising efforts are also to be supported by Melbourne’s Hellenic Museum, with CEO John Tatoulis having expressed a personal interest in the initiative.
“I have a keen interest in horses – being a rider and having owned them in my youth. I’m also cognisant of the fact that the Skyrian breed is endangered, and measures to protect the breed should be encouraged and supported.
“The Skyrian horse is an integral part of Greek history and culture and its role as such should be appreciated and celebrated.”
Margaret Moore is keen to contact Australians of Skyrian descent who may be interested in becoming involved with the project, and who may be able to share their families’ memories of the horses on Skyros.
Enquiries about the Australian Skyrian horse project should be sent to: info@moorehouse.com.au