Mittens
$4,500
Thoroughbred Horse Breed
The Thoroughbred is the world's premier racehorse — long-striding, bold and athletic — and off the track, retrained "OTTBs" excel in eventing, jumping and fox hunting for riders who enjoy a forward horse.
Developed in 17th–18th century England from Arabian and native stock, every Thoroughbred traces to a handful of foundation sires. The Jockey Club registers the breed in North America, and racing remains its defining test: heart, stride and the will to run.
Off the track, Thoroughbreds are the backbone of eventing and show jumping, prized for stamina, scope and try. A well-restarted OTTB (off-the-track Thoroughbred) is one of the best athletic values in the horse world — often modestly priced relative to purpose-bred sport horses of similar ability.
Buying notes: for OTTBs, ask for the Jockey Club name and look up the race record; more starts usually means more soundness questions to put to your vet. Budget for letdown time — most track horses need weeks to months of transition before serious retraining — and always X-ray knees and ankles in a pre-purchase exam.
By Horse Trading Post Research · Updated Aug 29, 2026
Common questions
Are Thoroughbreds good first horses?
Usually not for true beginners — they are sensitive and forward-thinking. That said, older, well-let-down Thoroughbreds with quiet minds exist and can suit confident novices under instruction.
What does OTTB mean?
Off-the-track Thoroughbred — a horse retired from racing and available for retraining into a new career. They are popular, affordable sport-horse prospects.
How fast is a Thoroughbred?
Racehorses sustain roughly 35–40 mph over distance — the fastest breed over a mile or more (Quarter Horses are quicker over a short sprint).
