Standardbred

The Standardbred is a North American horse breed developed primarily for harness racing. It is valued for its ability to trot or pace at speed over a mile and for its steady, accommodate temperament. In harness racing, Standardbreds pull a sulky with a driver, delivering a consistent gait and reliable performance.

Standardbreds are medium-sized horses, typically standing about 14.3 to 16 hands tall and weighing roughly 850 to 1,150 pounds. They tend to have solid bone, smooth transitions between gaits, and calm dispositions, traits that suit training for racing as well as driving and riding.

Two gaits define the breed: the trot, a diagonal two-beat gait, and the pace, a lateral two-beat gait. In competition, horses are categorized as trotters or pacers, with pacing often favored in harness racing in North America. The breed’s efficiency, endurance, and trainability contribute to its prominence in racing and driving disciplines.

History and origin trace to the United States and Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries, with crosses of Thoroughbreds, Morgans, Saddlebreds, and other stock to improve speed and reliability. The name Standardbred derives from the standard time records used in early races, which horses had to meet to qualify for competition.

Registries and use: the United States Trotting Association (USTA) maintains breed records in the U.S., with Canadian registries supporting Standardbreds in Canada. Outside North America, Standardbreds are kept for riding and driving as well as in some racing circuits.

Notable lineage includes Hambletonian 10, a foundation sire associated with the Hambletonian Stakes, a premier trotting race. The breed remains central to modern harness racing and is recognized for versatility beyond the track.