In the current study, blood–DNA samples were collected from horses (n= 147) reared in Dakahlia province, Egypt to conduct an epidemiological survey of Theileria equi. Microscopic examination of Giema stained blood smears was used for initial detection of the infected animals. T. equi was detected in nine (6%) blood smears. Using a species-specific PCR reaction targeting the T. equi merozoite antigen-1. T. equi was found in 14 (9.52%) of the examined horse samples. Subsequently, five horses were carrier for `the infection without any apparent clinical signs or detection of the parasite in the examined blood smears. To summarize, the results demonstrated the occurrence of T. equi in horses in Egypt, either as acute infection or carriers. These findings have economic implications and highlight the urgency of implementing effective prophylactic and control strategies across Egypt to reduce incidence of equine piroplasmosis.