Whether it’s the UK, America, the Middle East, Asia, or Australia, horse racing is popular in almost every country. The significant events can be grand affairs attended by royalty, while regular races are attended by thousands every week.

Betting is a big part of horse racing’s appeal, and the availability of online bookmakers has only widened this. Now, it's easy to become an armchair expert on everything from horses’ race form to Grand National odds. But what do we know about the horses themselves? Which breed of horse makes a good racer is still a mystery to most casual racing fans.

A surprising source of information on this subject comes from a computer game: Red Dead Redemption 2. For years, computer games have been teaching us real-life skills as we play, even when we do not realize it. Flight simulators and motor racing games all use real-world physics, controls, and tactics that players can absorb. Similarly, games like Assassin's Creed can bring real-world geography and history to life in incredible detail.

Now, as technology improves to let us better recreate the nuances of nature, games can also help us understand animals. Red Dead Redemption 2 includes various horse breeds whose characteristics are reflected incredibly accurately in their real-life counterparts.

In the game, as in horse racing, it is essential to find a quick, agile, and reliable steed. In learning the best breeds for success in the game, players also know the best breeds for success in racing.

Here is our guide to the best horses that can be found or bought in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Arthur riding a horse

Arabian

The best choice breed in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the fiery and fiercely loyal Arabian. Tough to tame but easy to train, Arabians are smart, fast, healthy, and strong.

They’re also expensive, with Black and Rose Gray Bay Arabian’s found in stables selling for more than $1000. The beautiful White Arabians can be found for free in the wild if you have the skills to tame them.

In modern times, Arabian horses are also considered one of the best breeds for real-life horse racing. Whether it's long or short racing or even dressage, Arabians are one of the most desirable breeds for all competitions.

Turkoman

A horse no longer bred in the real world but still available digitally in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the Turkoman. At $950 each for Dark Bay, Gold, or Silver Turkoman, these are the next best choice for the Arabian.

Turkoman’s health, speed, and stamina make them excellent for long distances or carriage pulling, though they can suffer from impatience. A slender build by comparison to other breeds, Turkomans are also quick, agile, and handle well.

In racing today, Turkomans are closely associated with the English Thoroughbred, which has been a dominant breed for many years.

The Missouri Fox Trotter

Many players of Red Dead Redemption 2 prefer the Missouri Fox Trotter for its smooth ride and reliability. These horses, which come in Amber Champagne and Silver Dapple Pinto, are known for their stamina and speed.

A Missouri Fox Trotter is an excellent choice to cover long distances quickly. This applies in real life, too, where trail riders and the US Forest Service often use the breed.

Ardennes

Ardennes are less suited for racing due to their slow speed but vital for certain activities in Red Dead Redemption 2. These horses are big, strong, healthy, and calm, making them perfect as work or war horses.

Available in Bay Roan or Strawberry Roan, Ardennes can be bought from many stables throughout the game. They are bold, patient, and sturdy, making them one of the most reliable horses in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Andalusian

Dark Bay or Rose Gray Andalusian are another breed historically used as war horses. Their aggressive and confident nature, combined with stamina and easy handling, make them ideal for combat situations or hunting.

While they can be quick, Andalusians do not have some other breeds' acceleration or top speed. For this reason, they are rarely used in modern racing but are popular for dressage and long-distance events.

Dutch Warmblood

While real-life Warmbloods are known to sprint well, they are not the quickest breed available to racing stables. They have the agility and excellent stamina, making them a great choice as workhorses.

Long legs and sturdy bodies make Dutch Warmblood a reliable horse for handling tricky terrain with a heavy burden. These horses also come with a wide choice of coats: Seal Brown, Sooty Buckskin, Chocolate Roan, and, most rarely, Cremello.

So, next time you play Red Dead Redemption 2, make sure you choose the best horse for the task ahead.

And, next time you place a bet on real-life horse racing, don’t forget the lessons from Red Dead Redemption 2.

About the Author

Jamie Gilchrist
Jamie graduated from university in 2018, he left with a 2:1 in English Language. Since then he's been a freelance journalist, publishing on some of the biggest sports news websites in the US & the UK. Unsuprisingly, in his spare time, Jamie is a keen fan of sports, he plays for his local rugby team.