How did the experts of the past understand that horse would be frisky?

How did the experts of the past understand that horse would be frisky?

It is estimated that the average speed of a horse is 44 km/h. An absolute speed record of 89 km/h. How do you know how fast a horse will be if you don't have the speed shown at the races? How did the experts of the past understand that the horse would be frisky and fast?