Horses have been a part of human culture for centuries. From the days when they were used in battle, to their current use as recreational mounts, horses have always had an important role in society. But if you want to race them and start looking into horse trailer loans or partake in horse racing bets, what breed should you choose? There are many different breeds out there with varying strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore four of the fastest horse breeds!
The breeds that compete in races today usually belong to one of the following four categories: Thoroughbred, Standardbred, Quarter Horse and Arabian. These four breeds are some of the fastest in the world!
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred racing is a type of horse racing for thoroughbred horses. It is the most popular form of horseracing in France, Italy and to a lesser degree the United States. In England, Thoroughbred racing is governed by the Jockey Club in London. In Canada, Thoroughbred racing is governed by Horse Racing Quebec which operates under the auspices of the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The first racehorse was an Abaco Barb named Eclipse, foaled in 1764. Thoroughbreds were originally imported from England by American Founding Fathers, including Washington and Jefferson. The breeding of Thoroughbreds was once firmly established in the United States when native mares were bred with imported English best stallions to produce racehorses.
Standardbred
Standardbreds are horses that are one of the breeds recognized by the American Trotting Association (ATA) for harness racing. The breed is distinctive in how they produce fast speeds exclusively through trotting, hence the name “Standardbred”. They are not normally able to pace or perform well under the saddle. The best current stud books in North America are maintained by the U.S. Trotting Association, which has its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio; and by the Canadian Trotting Association in Woodbine, Ontario, Canada.
Quarter Horse
Quarter Horses are a type of horse that can run fast for short distances, typically at a speed of 25-35 miles per hour. They were originally bred in America to imitate the running style of a wild mustang. Originally called Narragansetts, they were developed in the 18th century when colonists brought over Spanish horses and started breeding them with their local stock. Quarter Horse racing dates back to 1921 in Dallas, Texas and was contested over distances of 440 yards (402 metres). Quarter Horse racing is also sanctioned by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and consequently has graded stakes races. The Standardbred is a horse that specializes in harness racing and they produce fast speeds exclusively through trotting.
Arabian
Arabian horses are one of the oldest breeds of horses. They are an Arabian sub-type, with their origins in the Arabian Peninsula. They are now distributed all around the world, mostly to European countries and America, but they still have feral populations in Africa. Arabian horses are sought-after for purity of bloodline, ease of training, and high spirit. They are also one of the most common breeds used in racing today. Arabian horses were originally brought into Europe by war captives, later they became popular at European courts.
Horses have always had an important role in society. But if you want to race them, what breed should you choose? There are many different breeds out there with varying strengths and weaknesses, and hopefully, now you can understand the main 4 types of breeds.
