The use of the term “thoroughbred” is highly specific in the world of horse racing. Generally speaking, a thoroughbred is a horse that has been specifically bred as a competitive race horse. However, the term is often incorrectly applied to any purebred horse. Furthermore, the term is sometimes used colloquially outside of horse racing to describe any well-bred animal, or even a well-educated person.
In fact, thoroughbreds are a distinct breed of horse. The breed’s lineage can be traced back to the 17th and 18th centuries, when English mares were bred with horses of Arabian, Barb, and Turkish descent. The results were a very fast and agile animal. Today, approximately 20,000 thoroughbred foals are registered in the United States each year. While the thoroughbred is a popular choice for competitive breeders, American quarter horses, Arabians, and several other breeds are also commonly seen on the racetrack.
