History of the Standardbred

In 1780, a grey horse called Messenger was foaled. He was exported to America where it became apparent that although Messenger himself was never a harness horse, his progeny were, and could trot long distances. This amazing horse not only sired trotters, but thoroughbreds as well. He earned the title "Father of the Trotters". His great grandson, Hambletonian 10 was to be called the greatest of all trotting sires. The modern STB has blood from the Thoroughbred, Canadian trotter, Hackney, Narrangansett Pacer, Arab, Barb and the Morgan.

The name "Standardbred" came from when the horse had to be able to trot or pace a mile in under 2 1/2mins to be allowed into the stud book. Now only progeny of registered STB's may be raced. In early trotting races, there was a jockey on the horses back. As technology advanced, the jockey shifted into a lightweight sulky called a gig. Horses of a higher racing class are not penalised by weight, but by having to start further back. There are no weight restrictions on the driver.