There are over 300 different horse breeds in the world today. And we all know that horses are fast and powerful and good at racing. But just exactly how fast can horses run? In this guide, we’ll find out the answer to this question, and we´ll also discover which are the fastest horse breeds in the world.
Which Type of Horse is the Fastest Horse?
Sometimes, a horse breed can be known as hot, warm or cold-blooded. However, this hasn’t got anything to do with the temperature of their blood. It’s actually referring to their temperament and physical characteristics.
Hot-blooded horse breeds such as the Arabian are generally the fastest types of horses. These are flighty creatures that were used as messenger carriers and war horses. And they were bred for their intelligence, speed and quick reactions.
Cold-blooded horses are usually heavy, draft type horses such as Clydesdales or Shire horses. These horses have been bred to work so they’re steady, safe and slow to react.
And warm-blooded horse breeds are a cross between the two and include breeds such as the Hanoverian (a German horse breed) and Irish Drought. Warmbloods are the most popular type of sports horse because they’re swift yet steady. And they're used a lot for sporting events such as show jumping, making them an excellent breed for dressage.
9 of the Fastest Horse Breeds in the World
The average horse galloping speed is around 30mph but of course, some horses gallop much slower or faster than this.
And the speed of a horse will often depend on its breed. So below, we’re going to find out what the swiftest horse breeds are.
1. Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred horses are famous all over the world for their endurance, speed and stamina. And they're the leading horses in the horse racing industry.
They were first produced in the UK in the 17th and 18th centuries when local racehorses were bred with Barb, Turk and Arabian horses.
Thoroughbred breeders and the horse racing industry in general, keep a tight stud record. And we know that all of today’s thoroughbreds can be traced back to the Byerly Turk, the Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Barb.
This horse breed stands between 15 and 17 hands tall (see average horse heights). They have long legs, a lean body and lots of stamina. Which makes Thoroughbreds perfect for horse racing over a long distance.
Thoroughbreds are hot-blooded, intelligent, alert and highly strung so they’re not a beginners horse.
The top speed ever recorded for a thoroughbred is 44mph. But what gives this horse breed the edge, is that they can maintain high speeds over the distance of a mile and a quarter for horse racing. This is why they’re consider to be the fastest horses in the world.
2. Quarter Horse, American
This breed comes from the times of Colonial America. They would race over a quarter mile and this is where their name comes from.
American Quarter horse racing is still very popular today and they still run over the distance of a quarter mile.
American Quarter horses have compact powerful bodies which means that they can turn and sprint very quickly. And this is why they excel in Western events such as barrel racing. This is why it's on our list of best barrel racing horse breeds.
American Quarter horses are calm and willing to work and this is why they’re popular on the ranch.
This breed has been known to reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. Bet even though this is faster than a Thoroughbred, Quarter horses can only maintain this speed in very short bursts.
3. Standardbred
The Standardbred horse breed originated in New England, North America in the 1800s and they’re also known as a trotting horse breed. They’re a mixture of many different breeds, including the Thoroughbred. And they usually stand between 14 to 17 hands
The Standardbred is famous for harness racing where they’ve been known to reach speeds of 30mph, just in trot. And they’re not just good for harness racing, a Standardbred horse is a good all-round horse breed. They’re used in many different riding disciplines including show jumping and dressage.
And because they’re so sure-footed, the Standardbred is a great horse breed for trail riding.
Standardbred horses have long, strong legs and broad, powerful shoulders. They’re calm and strong and have a very friendly nature. As well as this, they’re easy to train and willing to learn making them a good horse for beginners.
4. Arabian
Arabian horses are one of the oldest breeds in the world. And you’ll find Arabian blood in many of our modern-day horse breeds.
These hot-blooded horses were bred as war horses and for their ability to cross long distances in the hot desert.
Arabian’s are incredible endurance horses. And they regularly compete in 100-mile long endurance races across the desert. Though the races are taken at a steady pace, an Arabian horse can reach speeds of up to 40mph. This is why Arabian flat racing is also a popular sport.
These horses are very elegant with slender, petite bodies and they usually stand between 14 and 15.2 hands. They’re swift, intelligent, friendly and very high in spirits, so they’re not always suitable for beginner riders.
Be sure to read our article for more facts about Arabian horses.
5. Appaloosa
These sturdy, spotted horses were bred by the Native American tribe Nez Perce in the north-western USA. Their bloodline is a mixture of many breeds including the Spanish horse, the Quarter horses and the thoroughbred.
Related Native American Breed: Nokota Horse
Native American’s used the Appaloosa horse for hunting and as war horses. However, despite their current popularity, the Appaloosa horse almost faced extinction in 1870 as Native American’s lost their land.
Appaloosas are very strong with a compact body and are usually between 14.2 and 16 hands. They also have a pretty decent horse years lifespan of about about 29-33 years.
Even though the Appaloosa is pretty steady, it can still run as fast as 40mph. Hence, that's why Appaloosa racing is becoming increasingly popular in the USA. And they generally race over half a mile.
The Appaloosa is one of the few gaited horse breeds making them very versatile. They're used a lot in both English riding, including show jumping, and Western riding such as barrel racing.
And they’re sure-footed across every terrain which makes them particularly good for ranch work and trail riding.
6. Andalusian
The Andalusian horse is an ancient breed that comes from the Iberian peninsular in Spain. They’re usually gray with a distinctively long mane and tail. And the breed hasn’t changed a lot in the past 500 years, making it one of the very pure Spanish breeds.
These horses have strong legs and a deep chest and they’re very strong and agile. They were bred as military horses and they’re also associated with royalty.
Andalusians are famous for their elevated and extended leg movements, and they can reach speeds of up to 40mph.
Andalucian horses are very intelligent and have a relaxed, calm attitude. As well as this, they have lots of stamina and they’re used in different riding disciplines including show jumping and dressage.
7. Akhal Teke
The Akhal Teke is another one of the most ancient horse breeds in the world. It comes from the east and it shares many traits with the Arabian horse including speed and endurance.
Akhal Teke horses have a distinctive metallic coat that shines gold or silver and they usually stand between 14.2 and 15.2 hands.
And with only a few thousand in existence, the Akhal Teke is quite a rare breed, which means that they’re also expensive.
Hot-blooded Akhal Teke horses come from the desert religion of Turkmenistan. They have a small, delicate build, very similar to the Arabian.
These horses have huge amounts of stamina. And in short sprints, the Akhal Teke horse has been known to gallop at up to 45mph.
Teke Akhal horses are very loyal creatures and they form a deep bond with their owners. However, they’re famous for their fiery temperament which means that they’re not suitable for beginners.
8. Mustang
The Mustang is known as the wild horse breed of America. And they live freely in herds in the Western States of the USA.
Mustangs originate from Spanish horses. But over the years, they’ve been interbred with many different horse breeds.
Mustangs are quite a small horse breed, they stand between 14 to 15 hands. But they’re strong, quick and agile. And can reach a top speed of up to 54mph.
However, just like the Quarter horse, Mustangs can only sustain this speed in short bursts.
As well as being a fast horse, the Mustang is one of the hardiest horse breeds and it’s known for its good health, especially when it comes to the hooves.
They’re easy keepers and sure-footed on all terrain. Which makes them one of the best breeds for trail riding and ranch work.
Mustangs have a very healthy population in the USA and they’re widely available. However, they can be flighty, so overall they’re not a good horse for beginners.
9. American Miniature Horse
You might be surprised to find a miniature horse breed on our list of the fastest horse breeds. Standing at around 8.5 hands high, they may be small but can give literally give large horses a run for their money.
American Miniature horses have been known to gallop at up to 30mph which is the average speed of a horse. And this is why the miniature can beat some large horses and ponies in a race. Thus, it deserves a place on our list.
Miniature horses originated in Europe and have Shetland pony ancestors. However, miniature horses are a lot more slender than miniature ponies.
This is a very gentle breed that’s curious and affectionate. And as well as this, they love being in the company of humans.
Frequent Asked Questions
Which is the fastest horse breed in the world?
When it comes to the equine speed records, Thoroughbreds are considered to be the fastest horse breed in the world. This is due to a combination of their high speed, stamina and endurance.
The fastest speed of a thoroughbred ever recorded is 44 miles per hour. And Thoroughbreds can maintain their high speeds during races for up to a mile and a quarter.
However, the fastest speed ever recorded for a horse is from an American Quarter horse which reached 55mph. But these horses can only maintain high speeds for short distances. So this is why the Thoroughbred is considered to be the fastest horse breed in the world.
Are Mustangs the fastest horse breed?
Mustangs are pretty fast, especially for their size. In fact, a Mustang has been recorded reaching a speed of 54mph. so in this sense, they are one of the fastest horses in the world.
However, just like the American Quarter horse, Mustangs cant gallop for long at this speed. Therefore they’re not considered to be the fastest horse.
How fast is the fastest horse?
The fastest known horse speed is 55mph and this was by a Quarter horse. However, according to the Guinness World Records, the title for the fastest horse in the world goes to a thoroughbred horse, a mare called Winning Brew.
She won the Guinness world record in 2008 during a race at the Penn National Racecourse when she reached 43.97 mph.
And when it comes to horse racing, studies show that the average winning speed of horses racing at the Kentucky Derby is 37mph.
The distance of the racetrack for the Kentucky Derby is one and a quarter miles and generally, the horses will maintain this pace throughout the race.
Is a Quarter Horse faster than a Thoroughbred?
The Quarter horse is a very fast horse. In races over short distances, they're faster than a Thoroughbred. However, in races over long distances, the Thoroughbred is faster than a Quarter horse. This is because it can maintain its speed for up to a mile and it's why they hold the world record for speed.
Conclusion
The breeds we’ve covered here are all pretty fast. However, the award for the fastest horse in history is split between the American Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred.
The Quarter horse is the fastest breed in a sprint race. Yet the Thoroughbred would definitely take the title over a long-distance race.
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to the fastest horse breeds in the world. Now you’ll know exactly what breed to look out for if you want to ride a fast horse.
