Cross Breeds

I was wondering how fast thoroughbred race horses can run on open land when spooked?

I was thrown from a thoroughbred race horse when I was a child. Mom says the horse was running at approximately 70 mph. I have just read that racehorses can only run about 40 mph. Can anyone help me get my facts straight?

Public Comments

1. NO horse can run 70 mph.
2. . Quarter horses can run the fastest for a short sprint, at approx 42 -50 miles per hour. For a sustained length of time, a thoroughbred will average 38 - 40 miles per hour
3. quarter horse 55 mph, thoroughbred 40mph
4. 40 mph
5. Well for one thing they dont run at 70 mph! Top speed for a good race horse is about 45 to 50 maybe, it has a lot to do with condtion tranning, but when spooked its very different kine of speed! Not like a run on a track!
6. Quarter horses are the fastest for a sprint, about 50 mph. The fastest thorughbred ever recorded was 43 mph. So the average would be about 40 mph.