The largest and tallest horse on record was a Shire gelding called Sampson (later renamed Mammoth), who measured 21.5 hands and nearly 3,000 pounds (1360 kg) in 1846.

Most modern-day racehorses are Thoroughbreds. The name accurately describes this breed of horse: they all have been very thoroughly bred. The first Thoroughbred to reach America, a stallion named ...