20 February 2025
Who Are The Fastest Racehorses of All Time?
Horse racing is often considered to be a sport where you can miss out on the action if you blink.
That is none more so the case than when it comes to considering the fastest racehorses that have appeared on the track. Superstar performances are what fans of the sport crave, as they love to have the opportunity to say that they saw something breath-taking.
Fortunately, there have been no shortage of legendary stars that have graced the dirt and turf throughout their careers, giving fans of racing something to remember in the process. But, which racehorses rank among the fastest of all-time?
Winning Brew
When it comes to ranking the fastest racehorses of all-time, it is hard to overlook the record-breaking Winning Brew.
The runner set the Guinness World Record for the fastest speed ever recorded by a racehorse after hitting a staggering 43.97 mph in 2008. The mare was trained by Francis Vitale, and was a prominent performer in her home state of Florida.
She may have achieved a Guinness World Record during her career, but that wasn’t reflected by her results on track, as she failed to make an impression in stakes company in the U.S. when finishing fifth in the G1 Spinaway and seventh in the G1 Frizette.
Secretariat
Secretariat is regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all-time, with only Man o’ War ranked higher in the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century by Blood-Horse magazine.
The superstar was the Triple Crown winner in 1973, and set speed records in each of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. His record in the Derby remains to this day, while no horse has every came close to matching his time at Churchill Downs. However, it was his run in the Belmont Stakes, which clocked a speed of 2.24, which is most fondly remembered.
The time remains the quickest that any horse has completed the Classic trip on the dirt, and it smashed the time of 2:26 that was set 16 years earlier by Gallant Man. Such was its impression; it would have earned a world-record high Beyer Speed rating of 139 had the calculation being developed during that time.
You can check here how he ranks among the Kentucky Derby winners: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/winners/
The Green Monkey
The Green Monkey was a record-breaker before even stepping foot onto the racetrack after he cost a staggering $16 million at auction. That price was the highest ever paid at an auction for a thoroughbred.
The Todd Pletcher runner showcased his talent during workouts, clocking a staggering speed of 55 mph when running over an eighth of a mile. Hopes were high after that staggering turn of foot was evident as a two-year-old, but it always appeared as though he needed to be a level above that to ensure that he returned the staggering investment made.
However, hopes that he would become the next superstar faded after finishing only third on his debut over six furlongs at Belmont Park. Two further poor efforts followed before he was retired in early 2008 after failing to break his maiden. Despite costing a staggering $16 million, he won just $10,000 in earnings.
Black Caviar
Black Caviar was one of the most talented thoroughbreds to ever compete in Australia.
On track, she was unbeaten in 25 starts, and won a staggering 15 Group Ones, which remains an Australian record. Black Caviar’s speed ensured that she was able to land top level victories across the world, which included a memorable success in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
However, the vast majority of her success would be achieved in Australia. On home turf, she won the Lighting Stakes on three occasions, and recorded two wins in each of the T J Smith Stakes, Australia Stakes, and Schweppes Stakes. Such was her dominance on track, Black Caviar was named World Champion Sprinter on four occasions, and the European Champion Sprinter once.
The horse passed away in 2024.
Frankel
When it comes to turf horses, few were as talented as Frankel. The runner trained by Sir Henry Cecil won on all 14 of his starts under rules, and retired from the sport as the highest-rated racehorse in the world. Frankel’s first notable win came after dismantling a field of subsequent Group One winners in the Royal Lodge Stakes.
He would later dominate a Classic field in Britain to win the 2,000 Guineas by a staggering six lengths. Frankel’s dominance would continue over a number of difference distances, winning the Sussex Stakes on two occasions, the Queen Anne Stakes, and the International Stakes.
He was named the European Horse of the Year on two occasions, and was inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame in 2021. Frankel’s legacy continues in retirement after producing notable winners, including Derby victory Adayar, and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista.