Messenger (1780 – January 28, 1808) was an English Thoroughbred stallion imported into the newly formed United States of America just after the American Revolution.

He had a large windpipe and short neck, but not coarse or thick, low withers and around the shoulders, heavy and upright.

[8] Messenger was a highly virile stud, once serving 126 mares by natural cover in one season.

[1] Like the other three English stallions, and as was the custom of the day, Messenger was bred throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.

[11] Other notable descendants of Messenger include Whirlaway, Equipoise, Man O War, and Gallant Fox.

[9] He also provided genetics for the high cost "Joe Young" brand of horses that were sought after in the greater Kansas area at the turn of the 20th century.

[12] Messenger died on January 8, 1808, at the age of 28[11] at Townsend Cock's farm near Oyster Bay, New York.

He was buried with military honors under a boulder memorialized with an inscribed plaque at Piping Rock Club on Duck Pond Road in Matinecock, New York.

[6] Along with three other stallions, (Medley, Sharp, and Diomed), Messenger provided the type of foal that was needed for the era of long-distance (stamina and speed) racing popular in the early days of the American sport.

His dam was Turf; grand-dam was Regulus, who was closely related to Leviathan, a racing horse.