• In many countries, harness racing is more popular than flat racing. In America, the sport has a following of over 30 million people

• The Standardbred is the supreme harness racer - it can cover 1 mile in 1 minute 55 seconds!

• The breed took its name in 1879 when a speed standard was set for entry into the register

• The horse was based on the English Thoroughbred named Messenger (with Norfolk Trotter blood). THe foundation sire was Messenger's descendant, Hambletonian 10

• Between 1851 and 1875, this horse sired over 1,300 offspring!!

• Harness racing has two "categories" - trotting and pacing. In both, horses pull a light two wheeled vehicle called a sulky, while guided by a driver. Pacers are faster and move laterally (legs on the same side move together), they are less likely to break the gait. Trotters move diagonally - a conventional trot

• The breeds stands at around 15.2 hands high

• It is coloured either bay, brown or chestnut and is warm blooded

• A robust horse with strong hindquarters •and a short back

• The legs are also short

• The croup is long and the shoulders are powerful