The 21 Surprising Horse Breeds Used For Racing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.