20 Most Popular Racehorse Breeds

Horse racing is one of the oldest and most enduring forms of human recreation. Although the sport is unique in different parts of the world, the principle remains the same: be the first horse to cross the finish line.

Horse racing is big business. Many blockbuster movies have been made about famous horses and races, including Secretariat, Seabiscuit, Hidalgo, and Secretariat. These races can be intense and fast or long, tedious endurance races that cover hundreds of miles. There’s a horse breed for every type of racing. This list includes 20 of the most well-known horse breeds that are used in all kinds of races. While some are rarer than others, they all share one thing: speed.

Horse Racing Types

Horse racing is a very broad sport. There are many types of horse racing around the globe. Each region has its own specialty races. Although the following list does not include all types of horse racing, it covers the most popular.

Flat Racing

Flat racing is, as the name implies, on a flat surface. This type of horse racing is the most popular and is extremely popular. Although you’ve probably heard of the Kentucky Derby, the flat races are any horse race that is on a flat surface without obstacles or hurdles.

Jump Racing

Jump racing requires horses to jump over obstacles while they complete the race. Jump racing is also known as National Hunt outside the USA. Common obstacles include fences and ditches.

Endurance Racing

Speed is not the most important characteristic in endurance racing. However, horses still compete to be the first ones through the finish line. These races can be very difficult and take a long time to complete. Mongol Derby is currently the longest endurance race, covering an amazing 1,000 km.

Harness Racing

Although harness racing is less popular than the other types of racing, it’s still very popular. This is a highly specialized race in which the horses don’t compete for speed. They must travel at a certain trot or pace, and pull the rider behind them in the sulky. This is a small, two-wheeled saddle that the rider straps into.

Quarter Horse Racing

This racing style is all about speed. This type of racing is performed on short tracks, usually less than a quarter mile. These races are short but exciting due to the speed of the horses.

Maiden Racing

A maiden horse is one that has not won a race. Maiden races are for horses that are just starting to race. They will be competing against horses who haven’t won a race yet. A maiden is no longer considered a mare if they win a race and can compete in more serious events.

Stakes Racing

Only proven horses can be used for stakes racing. These races are only open to the top jockeys and horses. These races are usually flat and stakes racing is the only option. High stakes mean that there are big prizes at stake. Graded stakes racing allows only horses from a specific grade to participate in racing.

There are many races that a horse can compete in. Although we have only listed the most popular races, there are many more. Horses must have certain abilities to be able to compete in any type of race. These 20 breeds have the characteristics necessary to excel at one type of racing.

1. Akhal Teke Horse

The Akhal Teke, also known as the “Golden Horse”, is a rare Turkmenistan breed. They are the national emblem of their country and are easy to understand why. These majestic horses are not only fast and have great endurance but they are also beautiful.

2. Andalusian Horse

Andalusians, pure Spanish horses, are extremely strong and muscular. They are known for their intelligence, calm nature, and gentleness. They are calm and can be used to teach riding, but they also excel in dressage, hunting, and other tasks.

3. Appaloosa Horse

Appaloosas can be easily identified by their distinctive spots on their bodies. Appaloosas are a gray color with white spots on their faces and bodies. They are medium-sized horses and are very popular in barrel racing, fox hunting, and show jumping.

4. Arabian Horse

Arabian horses are the best in endurance races. Nearly every horse that wins an endurance race is Arabian, or a mix of Arabians. Although they are small horses, their endurance is unmatched. They rarely exceed 15 hands in height.

5. Black Forest Horse

Black Forest Horses are gentle and intelligent and were originally bred as draft horses. These horses are small and sturdy, with strong muscles and large gaits. They are popular bet favorites and are used for racing.

6. French Trotter

French Trotters are massive horses that can weigh over 1,400 pounds. They were created by crossing Thoroughbreds and Norman Horses in late 1800s. They are balanced and have a smooth gate. These horses are most often used for racing but they can also be used in hunts and other equestrian activities.

7. Friesian Horse

Friesians are beautiful horses with black coats that sparkle in the sun. Friesians are elegant horses with athletic bodies that match their elegance. They are regularly used in competitions, sports, and races.

8. Hackney

Hackneys are a smaller breed, but they’re well-known for their quick and powerful gait. Their sleek bodies make them a speedy and agile breed. Although they are mostly used in harness racing, they can also be seen in endurance events. This breed is also capable of pulling carriages.

9. Haflinger

Haflingers are distinguished by their unique gait. Although they are small horses, this has not stopped them from pursuing many different equestrian disciplines. They are great at draft work but they can also be used for endurance and harness racing.

10. Hanoverians

Hanoverians are a warm-blooded horse breed. They were first created in 1735 A.D. They are also popular in Germany for competition and racing.

11. American Miniature Horse

Miniature horses are not what you might think of when you think about racing. Although a full-sized adult may not use such horses for racing, they are one of the most popular breeds for children’s racing. This helps prepare them to become jockeys as they grow older. American Miniature Horses can also be used in horse shows and competitions, including showmanship, jumper, trial classes, and showmanship.

12. Morgan

Justin Morgan developed the Morgan horse in the United States. It was one of the first breeds to be created in the new world. Morgan horses were used extensively by both sides during the American Civil War. They are used today in Western and English racing as well as endurance races.

13. Paint Horse

Paint horses, often associated with Native Americans are beautiful creatures that excel at a range of competitions. Although they are an official breed, paint horses can also be bred as a color breed. They are often mistaken for Pintos, as they share the same coloration. A true Paint horse must either be a Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, or a Thoroughbred.

14. Paso Fino

Paso Fino horses, which are athletic horses that have exceptional endurance and stamina, are rapidly gaining popularity. Because of their intelligence and smooth gait, they are very easy to train. They are not the fastest of breeds, but they are very fast and have exceptional endurance racing ability.

15. Quarter Horse

Quarter Horses, a breed of Muscular Horses that are used for jumping and racing in North America, are the most well-known. Although they are most commonly used as trail horses or recreational riders, they can also be racehorses and can reach speeds up to 55 miles an hour.

16. Shetland Pony

Ponies are much smaller than horses. Shetland Ponies are less than 10 hands high. They are considered one of the most intelligent breeds for horse racing. Shetland Pony Racing is a popular sport used to introduce children to horse racing. Riders must be 16 years or younger to ride these ponies. They are mostly kept as pets, and occasionally race.

17. Standardbred

Standardbred horses are the best choice for harness racing. Trotter Pacers are also known as Standardbred horses and are often used in horse shows. Although they aren’t the biggest horses at 800-1,000 lbs, they are very muscular. Standardbreds are used for more than harness racing. They can also be used to hunt, show and jump.

18. Tennessee Walker

Tennessee Walkers are gaited horses known for their remarkable movement. These horses were originally bred on American farms and plantations. These horses have such smooth gaits that they were used in various races and competitions. They are often seen on the trail and in the winner’s circle at an equestrian show.

19. Thoroughbred

A Thoroughbred is the most common type of racehorse in North America. These horses are muscular and tall and can reach up to 1,400 lbs. These horses are the most well-known racing horse breed, and they excel at all types of racing events.

20. Warmblood

Horses are unique creatures. There are some breeds that are warm-blooded while others are cold-blooded. You get the Warmblood horse when you combine them. This horse was originally built to do draft work. These horses are strong and have great stamina. They can pull wagons and carriages well, but they are also very popular for competing in horse races and other events.

Conclusion

Horse racing has been a popular pastime for thousands of years. The Kentucky Derby is a big race that is well-known all over the globe. This race regularly attracts more than 100 million dollars worth of bets. There are many types of horse races that you can compete in. These include endurance racing, harness racing, and barrel racing. Although no breed is ideal for every race, all 20 of the listed breeds have the ability to excel in one or more.