Thoroughbred horses are the undisputed royalty of the racing world. Their sleek frames, powerful strides, and undeniable spirit have captivated horse enthusiasts for centuries.
We explore their rich history, from their 18th-century origins in England to their global influence today.
What is a thoroughbred?
The thoroughbred is the fastest breed of horse, which although was developed in Britain a few hundred years ago, is now bred for racing all over the world.
Horse racing is a multimillion-pound - if not billion-pound - industry and is the UK's second largest spectator sport with over five million people visiting British racecourses every year.
When were thoroughbreds first bred?
The thoroughbred dates back to 17th and 18th centuries, when Britain's stockier horses were crossed with imported Arab horses in a bid to breed faster horses for racing.
According to The Jockey Cub 'nearly all of today’s racehorses can be traced back to one of three ‘foundation’ Arabian stallions – The Darley Arabian, The Godolphin Arabian and The Byerley Turk'
What do thoroughbreds look like?
A thoroughbred is a beautiful, fine lean speed-machine built for speed. Long, fine powerful legs act as levers, propelling the horse forward with explosive acceleration and effortless cruising speed.
The influence of Arabian ancestry is evident in the refined head. Some even display a hint of the characteristic "dish face" – a concave profile seen in many Arabian horses.
While Thoroughbreds come in classic colors like bay, chestnut, black, and grey, unique coat patterns like skewbald or piebald are not found in purebred lines.
How big are thoroughbreds?
Thoroughbreds usually range from 15 hands high (a hand is four inches) to 17hh but the average is 16-16.2hh
How fast are thoroughbreds?
Thoroughbreds usually have a top speed of around 40-44mph
Why are thoroughbreds called hot-blooded?
The term hot-blooded horses refer to highly-strung, nervous horses - like the Arab and thoroughbred - which are famed for their speed and stamina.
Is the thoroughbred the fastest horse breed?
Wondering which is faster, the quarter horse or the thoroughbred? The more muscular quarter horse has a faster acceleration and is probably the faster over shorter distance, whereas the throughbred has more stamina and is faster over longer distance.
How old are racehorses when they start racing?
Thoroughbreds can start racing on the flat at two years old, while jump or National hunt race horses start at four years old.
Did you know all thoroughbred foals are assigned a birth date of January 1st, so the birth of a foal is usually planned as close to this date as possible to give it the maximum time to develop, mature and be ready for training and racing
Today thoroughbreds are not only make great racehorses but also event horses and even showjumping. For more information check out our guide to equestrian sport .
What are the most famous horse races in the UK
The most famous horse races in the UK are the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup for National Hunt horses and the Derby and 1, 000 Guineas.
What is the Triple Crown?
The Triple Crown makes up three of the most prestigious flat races in the UK for three year olds. The three races are the 2000 Guineas Stakes (at 1 mile), The Derby (at 1½ miles), and the St Leger Stakes (at 1 mile 6 furlongs and 127 yards)
How long is a furlong?
A furlong is one eighth of a mile, approximately 201 metres. It is called a furlong because the word dates back Anglo-Saxon times when it referred to the length of the furrow.
Find out more
Discover all about the equestrian world, from how much it costs to own a horse and what to wear horse riding to how to pass horses while out in the countryside
And, if you're looking for present ideas, don't miss our handpicked selection of best gifts for horse lovers.
