The Standardbred is famous for being the world's fastest harness racer and some of the world's best are bred in the paddocks of Kentucky. The head is plain, but still attractive and the limbs are strong, powerful, and hard. The hocks, these are a horse's leg joints, must be perfect in order to ensure success on the track. The body is low slung and long, but deep in its girth. The croup, this is the highest point on a horse's hindquarters, is higher than the withers, the peak of the horse's “shoulders.” This feature gives the horse massive thrust to the quarters, again contributing to its racing form.

The primary purpose of the American Standardbred is for harness racing. They are the fastest trotting horse in the world. Riders don’t sit on top of a horse during harness racing. Instead, they are driven in a bike or sulky. Though they can be ridden or kept for recreation, they are designed for the specific purpose of racing and the best specimens are reserved for sport and breeding.

The breed can trace its route back to Messenger, a prominent English Thoroughbred first brought as a sire to the United States in 1788. The term “Standardbred” was first used in 1879, and comes from the practice of requiring a speed 'standard' for entry into a breed's registry. Originally, the American Standardbreds had to prove they could trot a one-mile distance within two and a half minutes. Today, some of the best Standardbreds can complete that mile in less than two minutes.

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Standardbred - Horses for Sale