The Quarter Horse is one of America’s oldest and most beloved breeds, prized for its agility and speed. Over the years, the breed has produced some of the fastest horses in the world, and many of these horses have gone on to become legendary. But which one was the fastest of them all? In this article, we’ll take a look at the contenders for the title of the fastest Quarter Horse ever.
The Early Days of the Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse has a long and storied history in the United States, with the breed first appearing in the late 1600s. At that time, the horses were used for a variety of tasks, from ranch work to races. As the popularity of the breed grew, so did the demand for speedier horses, leading to the development of the modern Quarter Horse.
The first official Quarter Horse race took place in 1908 in Oklahoma, and since then the breed has become one of the most popular breeds in the racing world. The Quarter Horse is still the most dominant breed in the horse racing industry, with the fastest horses in the world competing in events like the All American Futurity and the Remington Park Futurity.
The Fastest Quarter Horses of All Time
While the Quarter Horse breed is known for its speed, there are some horses that stand out above the rest. Here are some of the fastest Quarter Horses of all time:
1. Easy Jet: The Fastest of All Time
Easy Jet was a Quarter Horse foaled in 1965, and is widely regarded as the fastest Quarter Horse of all time. He was bred and owned by AQHA Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Henry, and was trained by AQHA Hall of Fame trainer, Billy Smith. Easy Jet was a small horse (just 14.3 hands high) but he was incredibly fast. He won the 1968 All American Futurity in a time of 20.45 seconds, setting a new world record. He also won the 1969 All American Derby and finished second in the 1970 All American Derby.
2. Streakin Six
Streakin Six is another legendary Quarter Horse, foaled in 1974. He was a big horse (15.2 hands high) but he was incredibly fast. He won the 1977 All American Futurity in a time of 21.03 seconds, setting a new track record. He also won the 1978 All American Derby in a time of 21.60 seconds, which was another track record. Streakin Six was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1990.
3. Dash For Cash
Dash For Cash was foaled in 1973 and he quickly established himself as one of the top Quarter Horses of his era. He was a big horse (15.3 hands high) but he was incredibly fast. He won the 1976 All American Futurity in a time of 21.08 seconds, setting a new world record. He also won the 1977 All American Derby in a time of 21.75 seconds, setting another world record. Dash For Cash was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2002.
4. Go Man Go
Go Man Go was foaled in 1953 and he was widely considered to be one of the greatest Quarter Horses ever. He was a small horse (just 14.2 hands high) but he was incredibly fast. He won the 1956 All American Futurity in a time of 20.90 seconds, setting a new track record. He also won the 1957 All American Derby in a time of 21.40 seconds, setting another track record. Go Man Go was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 1983.
5. FDD Dynasty
FDD Dynasty was foaled in 2000 and he quickly established himself as one of the top Quarter Horses of his era. He was a small horse (just 14.2 hands high) but he was incredibly fast. He won the 2003 All American Futurity in a time of 20.96 seconds, setting a new track record. He also won the 2004 All American Derby in a time of 21.42 seconds, setting another track record. FDD Dynasty was inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame in 2020.
Conclusion
The Quarter Horse has been a staple of the American racing scene for centuries, and in that time the breed has produced some of the fastest horses in the world. While there are many contenders for the title of the fastest Quarter Horse of all time, it’s hard to argue against Easy Jet, who set the world record for the fastest time in the All American Futurity in 1968. He was an incredibly fast horse and his legacy will live on for years to come.
Timeline of the Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse has a long and storied history in the United States, with the breed first appearing in the late 1600s. Over the years, the breed has gone through a number of changes and developments, leading to the modern Quarter Horse we know and love today. Here is a timeline of the Quarter Horse breed:
1600s: The Quarter Horse is first developed in the United States.
1700s: The Quarter Horse gains popularity as a ranch horse, and is used to herd cattle and pull wagons.
1800s: The Quarter Horse is used in races, with the first official Quarter Horse race taking place in 1908 in Oklahoma.
1900s: The Quarter Horse becomes a popular breed in the racing world, and its agility and speed makes it a top choice for horse racing.
1950s: Go Man Go sets the world record for the fastest time in the All American Futurity.
1960s: Easy Jet sets the world record for the fastest time in the All American Futurity.
1970s: Streakin Six sets the world record for the fastest time in the All American Futurity.
1980s: Go Man Go is inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
1990s: Streakin Six is inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
2000s: FDD Dynasty sets the world record for the fastest time in the All American Futurity.
2010s: FDD Dynasty is inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
Impact of the Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse has been a staple of the American racing scene for centuries, and in that time the breed has had a major impact on the horse racing industry. Here are some of the ways the Quarter Horse has impacted the horse racing industry:
1. Popularity: The Quarter Horse has become one of the most popular breeds in the horse racing industry, with the fastest horses in the world competing in events like the All American Futurity and the Remington Park Futurity.
2. Speed: The Quarter Horse is known for its speed, and the breed has produced some of the fastest horses in the world. Easy Jet, Streakin Six, Dash For Cash, Go Man Go, and FDD Dynasty are all legendary Quarter Horses that have set world records in the All American Futurity.
3. Breeding: The Quarter Horse has become a popular breed in the breeding world, with many breeders seeking to create fast, agile horses. This has led to the development of the modern Quarter Horse, which is the most dominant breed in the horse racing industry.
4. Racing: The Quarter Horse is the most dominant breed in the horse racing industry, with the breed being used for a variety of tasks, from ranch work to races. The breed is still used in races today, with the fastest horses in the world competing in events like the All American Futurity and the Remington Park Futurity.
5. Hall of Fame: The Quarter Horse has produced some of the greatest horses of all time, with several of them being inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame. Easy Jet, Streakin Six, Dash For Cash, Go Man Go, and FDD Dynasty are all legendary Quarter Horses that have been inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
Care and Maintenance of the Quarter Horse
The Quarter Horse is a high-energy breed, and as such they require a great deal of care and maintenance to stay healthy and perform at their best. Here are some tips for caring for your Quarter Horse:
1. Diet: The Quarter Horse is an active breed and needs a diet that is high in protein and nutrients. It is important to feed your horse a balanced diet, and be sure to feed them a variety of hay, grains, and supplements to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
2. Exercise: The Quarter Horse is an active breed and needs regular exercise to stay healthy and fit. It is important to provide your horse with plenty of time to exercise and play, as this will help them stay in shape and develop their muscles.
3. Grooming: The Quarter Horse needs regular grooming to stay healthy and looking their best. It is important to brush and groom your horse regularly, and be sure to pay special attention to their mane, tail, and hooves.
4. Health: The Quarter Horse needs regular check-ups to stay healthy. It is important to have your horse checked by a veterinarian regularly, and be sure to follow any advice they give you.
5. Training: The Quarter Horse is an intelligent breed and needs to be trained and handled correctly. It is important to train your horse with positive reinforcement methods, and ensure that you are consistent with your training.
Conclusion
The Quarter Horse is one of America’s oldest and most beloved breeds, prized for its agility and speed. Over the years, the breed has produced some of the fastest horses in the world, and many of these horses have gone on to become legendary. The Quarter Horse has had a major impact on the horse racing industry, and the breed is still used in races today. Caring for your Quarter Horse is essential to keeping them healthy and performing at their best, and it is important to provide them with a balanced diet, plenty of exercise, regular grooming, and consistent training.