Horses vary in size and breed, but speed is one of the most valued traits. It’s no surprise that numerous breeds were designed for speed.
The speed of a horse may be measured across short distances, longer distances, and while pulling a carriage, not only its highest speed. Some horses are fast sprinters, and some are long-distance stamina kings.
With all this in mind, here are the 5 quickest horse breeds in various categories, in no particular order. And if betting on horse racing is not really your thing, you can activate the Stay Casino no deposit bonus today and spin horse-themed slots instead, enjoying the thrill of the race differently.
These Are the Top 5 Fastest Horses in the World
It is difficult to know the precise speeds of every horse throughout history due to the fact that they have not always been easily recorded. Moreover, horses will perform differently across varying distances. However, we do have data on a few high achievers. Below are the quickest racing horses, some based on speed and others on race wins.
Winning Brew
Winning Brew is the quickest two-furlong horse ever. The Bay Filly reached 43.97 mph in May 2008. Horses were two years old then.
The USA hosted the record-breaking race. Winning Brew was owned by Ronald Francoeur and was trained by Francis Vitale. The horse continued racing until 2009.
Secretariat
One of the finest racehorses of all time is Big Red, Secretariat. In 1973, in the running of the Belmont Stakes, the horse broke a new world record of 1.5 miles. Secretariat’s maximum velocity was 37.82 mph in this race.
In that race, the horse completed 1.5 miles in 2:24. It won by 31 lengths. Secretariat raced 21 times and won 16 of them in his career.
Spectacular Bid
Another record horse, Spectacular Bid, peaked in 1980. The horse established a new record by running 1.5 miles in 1 minute and 57.8 seconds.
During its career, Spectacular Bird earned over $2 million in prize money. Out of 30 races, it won 26, securing its place among the greatest racehorses in history. Because of this incredible record, it was later ranked among the top 100 US thoroughbred champions of the 20th century.
Dr. Fager
Dr. Fager is another legendary horse, known for both speed and strength. In 1968, it made history by holding four US titles at the same time, a rare achievement in the racing world. Although some said it did not always use its speed wisely, the results speak for themselves: 18 victories in just 22 starts.
Man o’ War
Man o’ War truly lived up to its powerful name. It raced 21 times and won every single one, creating an unbeatable legacy. Trained by Louis Feustel and owned by August Belmont Jr., Man o’ War captured some of the most prestigious titles of its era, including the 1919 Grand Hotel Union Stakes, the 1920 Kenilworth Park Gold Cup, and the 1920 Lawrence Realization Stakes.
After the second race, Man o’ War quit. Not only was it crowned American Champion Three-Year-Old Horse in 1920, but it was also awarded Leading Sire of America in 1926. It’s hardly surprising that Man o’ War is in the US Racing Hall of Fame.
What Is the Fastest Horse in the World?
It’s helpful to know which horse breeds are the quickest, but it’s even more crucial to know which racing horses are the fastest. It’s also easy to figure out their peak speeds and other things like that. That said, here is a list of the fastest horse breeds in the world.
Thoroughbred Horses
It should come as no surprise that thoroughbred horses are often ranked among the swiftest horse breeds in the world. These horses are bred specifically for racing, which makes complete sense. Winning Brew set the record for the fastest speed ever reached by a thoroughbred horse. Until another horse manages to break it, the top speed for this breed stands at 43.97 miles per hour.
No horse breed is known to race for very long periods of time, yet thoroughbreds often live quite a while. On average, a healthy thoroughbred horse can expect to live between 25 and 35 years.
- Akhal Teke: Turkmenistan’s Akhal Teke horse breed can reach 35 mph. Although slower than thoroughbred horses, it is nonetheless impressive. The Akhal Teke is a rarer breed than thoroughbred horses, which are rather prevalent
- Quarter Horses: Another form of speedy horse is the quarter horse, which is usually more effective over shorter distances than longer ones. One of the most prevalent horse breeds in the world is the quarter horse. It can go as fast as 44 miles per hour
- Arabian Horse: Arabian horses run at speeds of 34 mph, but can run faster than 40 mph. Arabians are better for endurance than short-distance running and are from the Middle East. Arabian horses can be found all over the world these days
- Mustang: You’ve almost certainly heard of mustangs before, even if only for the Ford Mustang car. On endurance rides, these horses typically attain 25 – 30 mph. On the other hand, they are also common in dressage and other equestrian disciplines. Mustangs primarily live in North America
- American Paint Horse: The American Paint Horse is one of the most beautiful horse kinds, and it is also one of the most useful. This horse is commonly used in show jumping, reining and other sports as well. Paint Horses in the United States are a cross between a quarter horse and thoroughbred horse
- Andalusian Horse: The Andalusian horse can run as fast as 45 miles per hour, making it another one of the world’s fastest horses. It is indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula and from there it gets its name. A lot of people like Andalusian horses for both dressage and show jumping. They will live for about 25 years
- Morgan Horse: The Morgan horse is another popular horse in the US, and at its fastest, it can run at up to 20 miles per hour. This doesn’t seem like much, but that’s only because it’s among some very impressive breeds on this list. Morgan horses are often crossbred with Arabian horses and saddlebreds, meaning that you won’t find a huge number of them around these days
- American Saddlebred: US-bred American saddlebreds are now worldwide. Eventers utilise saddlebreds, which can reach 20 mph. Trail, show jumping, endurance, and other disciplines are also practiced by American saddlebreds
Everything You Need to Know About the Fastest Horses in the World
So, there you have it – here’s our complete list of the fastest horse breeds and the most impressive racing horses of all time. You’ll find several breeds that have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and unsurprisingly, thoroughbred horses are close to the top of the list for top speed. However, you shouldn’t discount Arabian horses, quarter horses, or any of the others we’ve included on our list.
While the Guinness world record has been set for the fastest horse in the world, it’s very possible that this could be beaten in the future. When going to the racecourse next, it’s worth looking at several factors such as the horse’s breeding background and how it has performed in previous races. Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have a better understanding of what the world’s fastest horses are in addition to their top speeds. Moreover, you should know which ones have had the greatest impact on the racing world.
