American Standardbred Horse

Never actually racing, Messenger died at the age of 28 in 1808, and was buried on Long Island. His grandson Hambletorian, sired 1,355 offspring. Hambletorian also never raced, but his son Dexter trotted the mile in a record 2 minutes 17 seconds.

Early Standardbreds, to be included in the registry, had to complete a mile in less than 3 minutes, but today many are able to go this distance in less that 1 minute and 55 seconds.

photo courtesy of B. Langrish

American Standardbreds stand at about 15.2 to 15.9 hands in height, and are found in all shades of bay, brown, and blcak. Most of the finest are raised in Kentucky.