Harness racing refers to a type of horse-racing where horses chase each other at a specified pace. They habitually drag two-wheeled carts that are called sulkies.

Harness racing was the most popular sport in the years before the Civil War. Since control of Thoroughbred racing was taken by the South, the Northern States tried to gain control, but a miserable reproduction market, a need for sturdy jockey clubs to adjust the sport and a deficiency of supporters who could place high-quality matches kept the sport low. By the 1850s, there were more viewers who watched racing than any other sport. Also there were seventy tracks nationally, seven of which were in the area of New York.

These harness races were limited mostly to standard bred horses. In Scandinavia or Europe cold-blooded horses, so called because they belong to a breed known for having a stable, calm temperament, are used as well as European horses which regularly have some French or even Russian ancestry. Standardbreds are so named because in the early years of the Standardbred stud book, only horses who could run or pace a mile in standard time, or whose brood could do so, were entered into the book.

Standardbreds have shorter legs than the Thoroughbreds, but they compensate with their longer bodies. Also, they are of a more obedient spirit. That suits horses whose race takes more strategy and a lot more acceleration than the Thoroughbred races.

Messenger was the name of Standardbred horse’s founding member. It was brought in 1788 to America and bought by Henry Astor, brother of John Jacob Astor. From this particular horse descended a great-grandson, Hambletonian 10. It received extraordinary appreciation for its racing ability. Nevertheless, it is his breed line for which he is most remembered. The descent of virtually any American Standardbred contest horses can be traced back to Hambletonian sons.

The races can take place by trotting or pacing, two different steps. The distinction is made by the trotter who moves its legs forward in crossways, striking the ground at the same time, whereas a pacer moves its legs sideways.

In continental Europe races are conducted entirely between trotters, whereas in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States races are also held for pacers.

Pacing races represent 80% to 90% of the Harness racing conducted in North America. The pacing horses are quicker and, most importantly to the bettor, they are less likely to break stride (a horse that starts to run needs to be slowed down and taken out in anticipation of regaining the pace). One of the reasons which make pacers less likely to break their stride is that they often wear hopples. These are straps which connect the horses legs on both sides.

The idea that hopples are used to create this gait is misconceived; the gait is natural, the hopples are simply an accessory to support the pace when gaining top speed.

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