A thoroughbred bred by John Pratt, Newsmarket, Suffolk, England, Great Britain. He races there between 1783 -1785.

Henry Astor, New York buys Messenger in 1793. In 1796 he is sold to Cornelius Van Ranst. In New York, he serves at Philip Platt's farm, Long Island, Queen's country. In 1801, he was standing at service in the stable of Anthony Dobbin's Stagecoach Inn, Goshen, New York State. He was used as a sire until 1807.

We know him as a foundation sire of the Standardbred and racehorses. Mostly he was breed to good fast road mares. Therefore, one could not even speculate in the numbers of coverings done by him.

Messengers appearance gave an impression of solidity and power. He had large and always active ears. Expressive they were too. A large and bony head; its nose had a decided Roman tendency, the nostrils large and flexible. Windpipes large neck short, but not coarse or thick.

Withers low and round the shoulders heavy and upright. Superior hips and quarters. Strong and large were the bones of the limbs. He always stood prompt and upright on all four legs. As a gray, he became lighter with age. He was 1,60 m (15.3 hands) high.