Horse racing is a popular equestrian sport known for its most famous races — the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness. The goal is to breed, train, and race the fastest horse possible. However, this type of horse racing isn’t the only sport where the goal is speed. Steeplechasing, harness racing, and endurance have a similar objective: The first one to the finish line wins. While Thoroughbreds are the best breed to use for horse racing, there are more surprising breeds used for other types of racing around the world. Let’s get into them!
1. Thoroughbred
![American Pharaoh winning the 2015 Belmont Stakes](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/05/american-pharaoh-racehorse.jpg)
Thoroughbreds are fast, which makes them a popular horse breed used for racing.
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Thoroughbreds are the most known breed used for horse racing like the type you see at the Kentucky Derby. But they don’t just run short distances on flat ground, they also compete in steeplechase races as well. Steeplechase is a long-distance race with obstacles like hedges, walls, water, or ditches for a field of 40 horses and riders to navigate as they speed around the 4 to 6-mile-long course. Thoroughbreds are not only fast, but they also have the endurance that helps them excel at these events.
2. American Quarter Horse
![American Quarter horse chestnut stallion running in the paddock.](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2022/06/American-Quarter-Horse-stallion.jpg)
Quarter Horses compete in barrel racing more than horse racing, but the objective is the same — the first one to the finish line wins.
©Jaco Wiid/Shutterstock.com
The Quarter Horse is a popular horse breed used for racing, but not the same kind as Thoroughbreds. Barrel racing is a rodeo event where you’ll see Quarter Horses dominating the competition, often running a standard barrel pattern in well under 17.5 seconds. They are quick on their feet and eager to learn, which makes them great horses for racing!
3. Arabian Horse
![Arabian horse beautiful arabian horse](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-1427594977.jpg)
Arabian Horses are a quick, athletic breed commonly used for racing and endurance events.
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Another breed that’s known to be quite the competition in a race is Arabians. There are even Arabian Horse racing events to showcase the fastest of the breed! This horse breed is also used for endurance racing due to their speed and stamina. These events test horses and riders across 600 miles, so when jockeys need a capable and athletic mount they choose an Arabian horse.
4. Mustang
![Wild Colonial Spanish Mustangs on the dunes and beach in northern Currituck Outer Banks](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/03/shutterstock_783452977.jpeg)
Mustangs are wild horses that have the spirit of a winner, which makes them a great breed to use for racing.
©BHamms/Shutterstock.com
One horse breed with a reputation for speed is the mighty Mustang. These wild horses are surefooted and quick, which makes them a great breed to use for barrel racing, specifically. Two overlooked characteristics of a successful racer are heart and spirit, which Mustangs have in abundance.
5. Appaloosa
![Appaloosa, horse](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-178764909.jpg)
A common breed to use for barrel racing is the Appaloosa because of its speed and even temperament.
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The Appaloosa has a trainable and versatile nature. This makes them an excellent horse breed to use for a variety of disciplines, but the most common is barrel racing. Their breeding includes Quarter Horse, so it makes sense that they have the speed and good nature of the breed.
6. Standardbred
![Pacer head shot](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-453992987.jpg)
If you’re looking for a horse breed to use for racing, the Standardbred is one of the best choices!
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Two more unique events where speed is the goal are harness racing and racing under saddle. And what horse breed dominates each of these events year after year? The Standardbred. This gaited horse breed is lightning-fast whether hooked to a harness or ridden by a jockey.
7. Saddlebred
![Single Saddlebred](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-177333546.jpg)
The Saddlebred’s stamina and strength make them ideal harness racing horses.
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Another horse breed commonly used for harness racing is Saddlebreds. Their stamina, strength, and trainability make them a popular choice for this type of equestrian racing event.
8. Morgan
![Morgan horse](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/2008_KY_state_Fair_Morgan_Horse_Show.jpg)
Morgans are a versatile breed used for showing and racing.
The Morgan is also a popular harness racing horse breed. For a while, they were considered the fastest horse to use for harness races! That prize goes to the Standardbred now, but the Morgan horses’ compact, muscular body continues to make them formidable competitors.
9. Hackney
![bay hackney pony extended trot](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/05/shutterstock-1534163393-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)
If you haven’t heard of Hackneys then you have now! They are stars in harness racing and endurance events because of their powerful build.
©aleigha blakley/Shutterstock.com
The Hackney is a gaited horse breed used for racing because of their swiftness and speed. A versatile performer, the Hackney’s powerful hindquarters allow them to shine in harness racing events and even endurance racing!
10. Haflinger
![running haflinger horse](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-962502694.jpg)
The Haflinger is a reliable mount used for racing, show jumping, and pleasure riding.
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The best horse breeds to use for racing need to be strong, reliable, and eager to perform. The Haflinger has it all! While they aren’t as quick as the warmblood breeds due to their sturdy build, they excel at equestrian events like harness racing and endurance.
11. Orlov Trotter
![Famous Russian horse trio "troika"](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-139996775.jpg)
The famous Russian horse trio “troika” that dominated harness racing was Orlov Trotters.
©Sergey Petrov/iStock via Getty Images
This Russian-bred gaited breed has the speed and stamina that make it popular to use for harness racing. Bred with an inherently fast trot and a champion spirit, this breed is a fun racing mount bound to bring you into the winner’s circle.
12. French Trotter
![French Trotter horses harness racing](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/Course_trotteurs_Saint-Jean-des-Pres_2.jpg)
French Trotters are a popular harness racing horse breed because of their gaited trot.
A surprising horse breed bred specifically for racing is the French Trotter. You don’t often hear about this breed in traditional horse racing because where they truly shine is in harness or under-saddle trotting races. Their “fast trot” allows them to cover ground quickly, making them a popular gaited breed if you want a speedy horse.
13. Missouri Fox Trotter
![Missouri Fox Trotter horse](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/06/Missouri_Fox_Trotter_2.jpg)
It might surprise you to know that Missouri Fox Trotters are an excellent breed for long-distance races!
The Missouri Fox Trotter is a beloved breed for their kind disposition, willingness to please, and ground-covering gait. In addition to their ability to race across long distances, this makes them a great endurance mount for riders who want to test themselves in the unforgiving 100-mile race.
14. Akhal-Teke
![Portrat of akhal-teke horse.](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-1530982206.jpg)
The Akhal-Teke is an ancient breed well-known for their athleticism and endurance.
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If we’re going to mention endurance racing, we have the mention a breed well-known for this demanding equestrian sport: the Akhal-Teke. This breed is from the desert climate of Turkmenistan where they are bred for speed, stamina, and athleticism. This makes them a popular endurance racing horse, even today!
15. Paso Fino
![Paso Fino horse galloping in stud farm](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-944260156.jpg)
The Paso Fino is a versatile horse breed used for racing, which might surprise you!
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Most known for being an excellent dressage horse, the Paso Fino is also surprisingly great to use for endurance racing. Their smooth gait means a comfortable ride for long-distance events and their intelligence helps them navigate challenging terrain with a rider on their back.
16. Anglo-Arabian
![Side view portrait of a beautiful purebred anglo-arabian stallio](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-544972136.jpg)
Speed and stamina are two traits the Anglo-Arabian horse inherited from their Arabian and Thoroughbred breeding.
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Alongside the Arabian Horse, Anglo-Arabians are popularly used for racing events. That’s because they carry a mix of Arabian and Thoroughbred genes, getting the best of both traits from each. If you want to show off what your Anglo-Arabian is truly capable of, enter into an endurance race and watch them take you to the finish line.
17. Mongolian Horse
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Rugged and compact, Mongolian Horses have the stamina that helps them excel at endurance racing events.
©Maxim Petrichuk/Shutterstock.com
The last breed popularly used for endurance racing is the Mongolian Horse. A sturdy, fearless, and undeniably tough breed, they excel at long-distance treks. In fact, the Mongol Derby is a famous endurance racing event where this breed is ridden across 1,000 kilometers (roughly 620 miles) over 10 grueling days. Even today, it’s considered the world’s longest horse race!
18. Shetland Pony
![Portrait of young Shetland pony in summer, mushroom color](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/10/shutterstock_2134076483.jpg)
Shetlands are a popular horse breed used for racing, just not the kind you’re thinking about.
©Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com
One of the more surprising breeds on our list is the Shetland Pony. However, this breed is incredibly popular for junior riders who want to experience the thrill of a horse race without the same level of danger. That’s where Shetland Pony racing comes in! This hardy, spirited breed brings young riders around a track and the first pony to cross the finish line wins.
19. Welsh Pony
![Portrait of a young sooty-buckskin horse of the Welsh pony breed](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/10/shutterstock_2210078961.jpg)
Welsh Ponies are a versatile breed used for a variety of disciplines including dressage, show jumping, and even racing.
©Ashur_Ro/Shutterstock.com
Another breed you might not know is used for racing is the Welsh Pony. This breed commonly wins at pony racing events because of their trainability and stamina.
20. British Riding Pony
![Exuberance](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2023/11/GettyImages-175411286.jpg)
An often-forgotten horse breed used for racing is the British Riding Pony.
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The British Riding Pony is an overlooked breed to use for racing. But it shouldn’t be! This horse has Thoroughbred and Arabian genes, which makes it an excellent breed to use for timed events like pony racing where the most desirable traits are speed and the will to win.
21. Miniature Horse
![Falabella miniature horse standing on a path.](https://a-z-animals.com/media/2022/06/Falabella-on-path.jpg)
Don’t let their small size fool you! Miniature Horses are quick with intelligence to boot.
©horsemen/Shutterstock.com
While a full-sized adult might not use a Miniature Horse for traditional racing, they’re a common breed used for children’s racing. This pony’s small stature, intelligence, and surprising speed help young riders prepare to become jockeys when they get older.
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