trial horse

American  

noun

Informal.

1. an opponent who performs against a superior foe in a workout or exhibition.

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Etymology

Origin of trial horse

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Just seven miles away, off rocky Point Judith last week, the Aussie challenger was in action too�racing against her 23-year-old trial horse, Vim.

From Time Magazine Archive

But Sydney is not Newport, and after watching Dame Pattie in U.S. waters against her trial horse, Nefertiti, most experts do not rate her quite as fast as Intrepid.

From Time Magazine Archive

Old Sceptre was there too�as a trial horse, and a mighty worrisome one at that.

From Time Magazine Archive

In a dozen tune-up races with an elderly twelve-meter trial horse, Evaine, the gleaming Sceptre had been beaten every time.

From Time Magazine Archive

And in the matter of a contest Jasper could not imagine a better trial horse than Buck Heath.

From Way of the Lawless by Brand, Max