Photo by Wikimedia Commons
In the world of flat racing, speed is the key currency. Whether it be break neck speed from the gate or a stirring turn of foot to get over the line, speed is ultimately what defines any good race horse.
International attention and scrutiny on the flat racing world has grown exponentially over the past few years, with massive purses on offer for the quickest horses around.
From huge races in the UK and Europe, through to iconic meets in Australia and America, as well as an emerging market in Asia and the Middle East, the global pull of flat racing centres round witnessing the fastest horses on the planet.
Sportsbooks and punters have long debated the fastest racehorses ever, with ultimately each horse only ever measured against the field that they face on any given day, which is always key to any bets placed with horse betting sites.
However, the age-old fastest horses of all time discussion will always rumble on and there are plenty of incredible horses that have staked their claim over the years.
Here is a look at some legends of the track and a focus on some of the fastest horses in racing history:
Frankel
Horses that enjoy unbeaten careers are scarcely heard of, but the incomparable Frankel managed to do just that between 2010 and 2012.
With a fiercely quick turn of speed and a dogged competitive edge, the Henry Cecil trained superstar won all 14 of its races during its two-year romp as the fastest horse on the planet.
In terms of speed, Frankel was regularly clocked in and around the 40mph mark and key to its ability to win was its consistency across every race.
Notable wins in the 2000 Guineas in 2011 and the 2012 Champion Stakes are stand out moments for a horse that has gone on to be one of the most sought after studs in international horse racing.
Frankel will long be regarded as one of the fastest ever horses of all time and he looks set to leave an incredible legacy behind too.
Man O’War
Horse racing folklore dates back well over a century and few can compete with the racing CV of Man O’War.
Originating from Lexington, Kentucky, Man O’War went on to transcend the world of horse racing and was named athlete of the year alongside Babe Ruth in 1920.
With Triple Crown wins at both the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes, Man O’War’s record across American horse racing was at the time unmatched.
He set record times in both of the aforementioned Group 1 contests and won a remarkable 20 of 21 career races run.
Seattle Slew
Staying in the United States, Seattle Slew will long be known for clinching the Triple Crown of the Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby in 1977, but its speed was at the time beyond compare.
While the Triple Crown win will always etch Seattle Slew into horse racing folklore, it was a horse that was able to show an incredible turn of speed throughout its impressive career.
14 wins from 17 race outings tells half of the story for Slew, who was still able to lay down the gauntlet to some of the fastest horses around later on in its career.
Seattle Slew was certainly one of America’s most well-loved horses, who was retired to stud in 1978, before passing way in 2002.
Secretariat
Back in 1973, a horse racing phenomenon was announced, as Secretariat became only the 9th horse in history to clinch the infamous Triple Crown.
A remarkable accolade in itself, Secretariat clinched all three races at a relative canter in then record times.
What is remarkable about that is still (as of 2025), these race winning times across the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, stand intact today.
An incredible specimen, Secretariat had pace and power to burn and could sustain breakneck speed throughout all of its races, regardless of the going or the competition.
Secretariat enjoyed one of the most remarkable careers in the history of horse racing and it has left a legacy of speed, which has more than stood the test of time.
Winning Brew
Technology and innovation has reached all sports in the last few years, and the clocked speeds of horses are now firmly analysed, as jockeys, trainers and owners look to get the best out of every horse in their stable.
Back in 2008, the Francis Vitale trained Winning Brew romped to an impressive win at Penn National and not much was thought of it.
However, on closer inspection, Winning Brew roared out of the gate and reached a remarkable 43.8mph, breaking the Guinness World Record for a speed achieved by a race horse.
With a couple of further wins, Winning Brew continued to build on its early career promise but never scaled the same heady heights.
That said, Winning Brew holds the accolade of being the fastest ever recorded race horse and it is a record that still stands today.
