Marengo (horse)
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Marengo was the famous war mount of Napoleon. Named after the Marengi Battle, through which he carried his rider safely, Marengo was imported to France in 1799 as a 6-year-old. The gray Arabian was probably bred at the famous El Naseri Stud. Although small (only 14.1 hh, fitting his diminuative rider well and probably making Napoleon seem taller than he was) he was a reliable, steady, and courageous mount.
Marengo was wounded eight times in his career, and carried the Emperor in the battles of Austerlitz, Jena, Wagram, and Waterloo. He also was frequently used in the 80 mile gallops from Balladolid to Burgos, which he often completed in 5 hours. As one 52 horses in Napoleon's personal stud, Marengo fled with these horses when it was raided by Russians in 1812, surviving the retreat from Moscow. However, the stallion was captured in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo by Lord Petre.
Petre brought the horse back to England and sold him on to General J.J. Angerstein of the Grenadier Guards. Marengo stood at stud (unsuccessfully) at New Barnesl, near Ely, at the age of 27. He eventually died at the old age of 38, and his skeleton (minus a hoof) was placed on display at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, London. The hoof was given to the officers of the Brigade of Guards by General Angerstein as a snuff box.
