The Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching, and many horse racing bettors are getting ready to cash out big time. While punters prepare to bet on Cheltenham, we thought it would be a good opportunity to learn about horse racing legends. This article tells the story of the fastest horses ever recorded.
9 Fastest Horses Ever Recorded
The fastest horses to ever grace the sport of horse racing are detailed below:
Winning Brew
This Pennsylvania-bred thoroughbred holds the title of the fastest horse in the world, with a record of 43.97 mph. That’s faster than most vehicles can drive on the highway. Winning Brew’s speed comes from excellent genetics, care, and top-tier training. This gave her a slim, athletic body and long, lean legs, the perfect physique for a speed-focused racehorse.
Secretariat
Not many racehorses were known record breakers in their time, but Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973. This thoroughbred set some race records that are still unbroken today. Secretariat, or ‘Big Red,’ was known to have been born with a large heart and exceptional stride length. This allowed it to distinguish itself on the track and reach recorded speeds of 37.5mph.
Green Monkey
On February 28, 2007, the city of Miami Gardens, Florida, was set on fire when a horse was auctioned for $16 million. Green Monkey, a thoroughbred descendant of Secretariat, was valued highly because of his speed. This racehorse once ran an eighth of a mile in 9.8 seconds, approximately 55 mph. While Green Monkey didn’t eventually live up to the hype built from its auction, it was still a fast racehorse.
Seattle Slew
There are not many racehorses that can boast that they were undefeated during their era. This is what makes the Seattle Slew a legend of the 1990s. This horse earned the coveted Triple Crown in 1977 and was unbeaten even after setting that record. The Seattle Slew, or ‘The Slew’, was a famous horse for its agility, speed, and strong heart.
Frankel
In Europe, another legend went unbeaten for all of its active career. Frankel earned 14 wins in 14 races, proving that he was the fastest horse during that period. This British thoroughbred achieved this record due to a frightening combination of explosive acceleration and stamina. With these two factors in play, Frankel could accelerate to fast speeds and maintain those speeds for extended periods.
Black Caviar
Coming down to Australia, another horse earned the undefeated title after remaining unbeaten for its career. Black Caviar is an Australian thoroughbred mare that earned her stripes against powerful opposition. This racehorse was known for her explosive speed, which allowed her to quickly leave the opposition behind.
Phar Lap
This champion thoroughbred hails from Australia and still remains an icon in the country. Staying true to its name, Phar Lap, meaning ‘lightning’ in Zhuang, this horse won 37 out of 51 races. This racing horse was also called the ‘Red Terror’ due to its chestnut coat and dominance of the Great Depression.
Man O’ War
It’s an impressive speed feat for a racehorse to dominate an era, and Man O’ War dominated the early 20th century. This thoroughbred set many records in its time and won an impressive 20 out of 21 races.
Coupled with his speed, Man O’ War had a powerful stride and a robust build, which earned him the nickname, ‘The Mostest Horse.’ Although he has been retired for years, many powerful racehorses can still trace their lineage to him today.
American Pharaoh
There was a 37-year drought in the racing community that ended recently. American Pharaoh ended this drought by winning the Triple Crown in 2015, allowing this title to appear again. This racehorse proved its speed, as it was unmatched in the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby, and the Preakness Stakes.
After earning the Triple Crown, American Pharaoh went on to win the Breeders’ Club Classic that same year. This horse immortalised its name as the first to complete the ‘Grand Slam’ of the American horse racing scene.
Conclusion
All the horses that made this list were legends in America, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia. These racehorses showed outstanding sportsmanship with unparalleled speed, agility, and stamina, which allowed them to leave their name in history.