Horses may weigh over 1,000 pounds, yet they can still outrun most other animals on the planet. The average speed of a galloping horse is 30 miles (48.3 km) per hour; the top speed of a thoroughbred racehorse is higher still.

According to Guinness World Records, on May 14, 2008, a two year old thoroughbred named Winning Brew clocked the fastest speed ever recorded over two furlongs (0.25 miles or 402 m), winning with a speed of 43.79 miles (70.76 km) per hour in 2008 at the Penn National Race Course. The previous (1989) record was 37.82 miles (60.8 km) per hour, held by a three-year-old horse called Hawkster.

She failed to go on to have an illustrious career, but Winning Brew’s record is nevertheless significantly faster than the average speed of Kentucky Derby winners, who must run further - 10 furlongs (1.25 miles or 2.01 km) and usually average around 37 miles (59 km) per hour.

The great racehorse Secretariat never surpassed 40 miles (67.4 km) per hour. He won the 1973 Kentucky Derby with a speed of 38 miles (61.15 km) per hour, covering the distance in 1:59 minutes, and became the first horse to complete the race in under two minutes. His winning Derby time still stands. (The 2022 winner, Rich Strike, clocked a time of 2:02.61 minutes.)

Quarter horses are shorter and quicker than thoroughbreds, and have been clocked at speeds up to 55 miles (88.5 km) per hour in quarter-mile (2-furlong) races. However, Winning Brew still holds the official record for thoroughbreds.

More Info: www.guinnessworldrecords.com