The 10 Most Epic Moments in Horse Racing History
Secretariat: U.S. Triple Crown winner (1973); one of the most famous horses in Thoroughbred racing Shergar: winner of the 1981 Epsom Derby by a record 10 lengths, the longest winning margin in a race run annually since 1781; kidnapped by the IRA in 1983, and was held for ransom, but the owner syndicate refused to pay, fearing that valuable. Although horse races are essentially the same format today as they were centuries ago, many studies have shown that the horses themselves have gotten faster over the years. For example, Kentucky Derby winning times today are more than 10 seconds faster than they were in the early 1900s, and modern-day Epsom Derby winners clock in nearly 40.
adminHorse racing has long history of great triumphs, fantastic feats of athleticism, and startling upsets. With every race, every jockey and horse pair has a chance to make history. The potential for eternal fame, the chance to beat records, and the possibility of becoming a true champion are just part of the thrill of the races. Throughout the many years these distinguished races have been run, there are some truly remarkable memories. From races during which the underdog beat the champion, or a special horse astounded the world, or rivals faced off in an epic showdown, horse racing has it all. Below we've compiled our list of our favorite races in horse racing history.
Santa Anita is known for being one of the famous horse racing tracks in Arcadia, the United States which was opened in 1934 and popular for famous races like the Santa Anita Handicap and Santa Anita Derby. Santa Anita Park is popular for being the most delightful race track across the globe with the Gabriel Mountains as the background. The five year old horse was trailing for most of the race before sprinting past the leaders to win in the last strides. To this day, he's famous for managing to beat out the favorite Bertrando in what is one of the greatest upsets in horseracing history. 2009 Kentucky Derby.
10. 2016 Belmont Stakes
While there was no Triple Crown on the line during the 2016 Belmont Race, the win by Creator was a huge upset for the favorites. For the duration of the race, Creator was not in the first four positions, until the very end when he sprinted past the leaders. The favorites for the race, Exaggerator and Stradivari, failed to finish in the top three. Despite his initial position at the back of the track, Creator's outstanding finish earned him the Belmont victory by a nose in an epic sprint out with Destin.
9. 2002 Belmont Stakes
The 2002 Belmont Stakes was another racing upset. Leading up to the race, War Emblem had won both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, meaning a Triple Crown victory was on the line. However, War Emblem stumbled at the start and effectively eliminated his shot at victory, ultimately finishing eighth. The greatest surprise of the race was the victorious run of Sarava, who chased down Medaglia d'Oro after trailing the main pack. At odds of 70-1, he is the biggest long shot in history to win the Belmont.
8. 1998 Belmont Stakes
Another race with a Triple Crown victory on the line, the epic finish to the 1998 Belmont Stakes is one of the closest races in history. The ultimate leader, Victory Gallop, narrowly beat out the favorite, and winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Real Quiet. It was Bob Baffert's second shot at a Triple Crown, and his horse Real Quiet lost by the smallest margin in Belmont history. The two had come head to head at the Derby and Preakness, with Victory Gallop coming in second both times. The exhilarating finish at the end solidified the loss of another potential Triple Crown victor.
7. 1971 Kentucky Derby
The 1971 Kentucky Derby winner Canonero II was a long shot. After his birth in Kentucky, he was shipped to race in Venezuela before coming back to Kentucky for the Derby. With impossible odds, he managed to surprise everyone with a three length victory at the Derby. While not considered an outstanding horse, his victory is one of a true underdog overcoming the challenges put in his way.
6. 1989 Belmont Stakes
During the 1989 Belmont Stakes, Easy Goer defeated the Horse of the Year Sunday Silence by eight lengths. Easy Goer had previously lost to Sunday Silence in the Derby and Preakness, but managed to win the Belmont and deny Sunday Silence the Triple Crown. He posted the second fastest Belmont time in history at 2:26.1, behind Secretariat's 2:24. Interestingly, Easy Goer was the son of Alydar, the only horse in history to finish in second place for all three Triple Crown races. It was thought that perhaps Easy Goer would follow in his footsteps, but his upset at the Belmont separated him from that legacy.
5. 1993 Breeder's Cup Classic
The Breeder's Cup Classic, while not a major Triple Crown race, is widely considered to be the premier horseracing event in North America. Due to the intense, competitive nature of the race, predictions are quite volatile. With odds of 133-1, the 1993 victory by Arcangue is the biggest upset by an underdog in the history of the Cup. A French horse, Arcangue had previously only raced on grass tracks in Europe, and the Classic was his debut in American racing. The five year old horse was trailing for most of the race before sprinting past the leaders to win in the last strides. To this day, he's famous for managing to beat out the favorite Bertrando in what is one of the greatest upsets in horseracing history.
4. 2009 Kentucky Derby
With odds of 50-1, the nearly seven length victory of Mine That Bird was shocking to most watchers. Though he ran nearly dead last for most of the race, in the final turn shot past the leading Pioneerof the Mile for an outstanding victory. Mine That Bird set records for the longest-odds horse to win the Derby in 85 years, and the biggest lead in a Derby win in more than 60 years. It is still considered one of the most epic finishes to a Derby race, as no one predicted such a performance from the horse.
3. 2015 Belmont Stakes
After 37 years, American Pharoah broke the Triple Crown dry spell in a remarkable Belmont Stakes performance. He currently posts the second fasted Belmont time in history at 2:26.65. While his start was less than ideal, he quickly came to the first position, and ultimately won by five and a half lengths. His time is the second fastest Belmont time in Triple Crown winners' history behind Secretariat. The most remarkable aspect of his Belmont performance, however, is that American Pharoah finally achieved a Triple Crown victory in an era when most believed it could never be done again.
2. 1978 Belmont Stakes
The 1978 Belmont Stakes was the close to one of the greatest horse racing rivalries in history: Affirmed and Alydar. After coming in second at both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Alydar made a bid for the last leg of the Triple Crown races. However, Affirmed led the pack for the whole race and managed to win by a nose. The pair kicked away from the rest of the pack in a neck to neck race that's still considered one of the greatest showdowns in racing history. While Affirmed's victory meant he secured the 11th Triple Crown in history, it's quite remarkable that Alydar is the only horse in history to come in second at every Triple Crown race. We haven't seen such a pair of horses rival since this epic faceoff.
1. 1973 Belmont Stakes
Secretariat is widely regarded as the second best racehorse of all time behind Man-O-War, but his epic finish at the 1973 Belmont Stakes has remained the best Belmont time of any horse in history. He won by a remarkable 31 lengths- absolutely blowing his competition out of the water. His grand story is amazing, not just because he still hold the track record for the Belmont, but because he still has set the records for every Triple Crown race. In his epic Belmont finish, he solidifies his position as a true champion racer with an outstanding victory.
There is quite a good number of famous thoroughbred race horses. Some of these horses have appeared in records as the greatest of all time in history. Fame for most horses roots mainly from performance, that is, the number of races won, but there are others that are well known not necessary because they were great racers. Following is a list of the most popular names.
What is the most famous race horse?
Secretariat is the most famous race horse of all time in history. Secretariat, also known as big red, was an American Thoroughbred race horse was foaled March 30, 1970 and died October 4, 1989).
In 1973, big red became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. His record-breaking victory in the Belmont Stakes, which he won by 31 lengths, is widely regarded as one of the greatest races in history.
During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honors at ages two and three. He was nominated to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974.
Other famous race horse names include;
Seattle Slew
He was an underrated thoroughbred young male who later turned to be one of the most successful horses in the long history.
In 1977, seattle slew won the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Preakness). He also won his six other starts, going a perfect 9-0 for the year.
Seabuscuit
Seabiscuit was an underrated American thoroughbred racehorse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s.
Seabiscuit's career highlight was a one-on-one race with 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. Despite missing his regular jockey due to a broken leg, Seabiscuit beat his heavily favored opponent by 4 lengths in a 2-horse special at Pimlico. This has been recorded as one of the greatest upsets in horseracing history. Seabiscuit was voted American Horse of the Year for 1938.
Seabiscuit has been the subject of numerous books and films, including Seabiscuit: the Lost Documentary (1939); the Shirley Temple film The Story of Seabiscuit (1949); a book, Seabiscuit: An American Legend (2001) by Laura Hillenbrand; and a film adaptation of Hillenbrand's book, Seabiscuit (2003), that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Man o' War
Before Seabiscuit, there was Man o' War, one of the most racehorse in the 1920s. In his prime he won he won 20 of 21 races. The racehorse's only loss was at Saratoga, a track he usually dominated.
Man o' War is believed to have the longest stride(28-foot) of all time.
Frankel
The Thoroughbred of the millennium, unbeaten in 14 races of all the horses trained by the charismatic Sir Henry Cecil, by then dying of cancer, the best was unquestionably saved for last. Mind-blowing performances rolled in one after the other, none more spectacular than his victory in the 2,000 Guineas in 2011
Citation
Eddie Arcaro is one of the greatest jockeys of all time. He's also the only jockey to ever win two Triple Crowns. So, it easy accept that when it comes to racehorses, Arcaro is loaded with plenty of experience. According to the jockey, the greatest horse he ever rode was Citation. In 1948, Citation won 19 of 20 races while accomplishing the Triple Crown — the last until Secretariat's win in 1973.
Zenyatta
Zenyatta (foaled April 1, 2004) is a retired American Thoroughbred race horse mare, winner of 19 starts in a 20-race career. Her sole defeat came in her final race, the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic where she lost by a neck to Blame in an attempt to repeat her win in the 2009 event.
Despite the loss, she was named the 2010 American Horse of the Year. She was also the American Champion Older Female Horse in 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016.
Black Caviar
Black Caviar is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse (foaled 18 August 2006). She is a retired champion undefeated in 25 races, including 15 Group One victories, eclipsing the previous mark set by Kingston Town. Black Caviar was named WTRR World Champion Sprinter in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Dr. Fagar
Dr. Fager (April 6, 1964 – August 5, 1976) was an American thoroughbred racehorse. One of the fastest horse in the world, he is best known for setting a world record for a mile that stood for 29 years, he remains the only horse to earn four official American championship titles in a single season: champion handicap male, champion sprinter, champion turf horse, and Horse of the Year
Painting the Sky
Painting the Sky is one of the most eye-catching thoroughbreds. She's a 'paint' horse, meaning she has patches of brown and white hair all over her body.
She's one of a select few paint thoroughbreds in recent racing history, and she turned plenty of heads whenever she ran.
She won two of 12 starts from 2015 to 2017 while racing on the Louisiana circuit.
Pollard's Vision
Pollard's Vision won more than $1.4 million in career earnings.
In the early-2000's, the book 'Seabiscuit' inspired a movie and gave horse racing a boost in the public eye.
Seabiscuit's longtime jockey, Red Pollard, was blind in one eye, as was this horse that came about when the book and feature film were prominent.
Pollard's Vision earned six victories, including four graded stakes wins, and banked more than $1.4 million in career earnings.
Shergar
Spawned one of the great mysteries, up there with Lord Lucan. The colt won the 1981 Derby by a record 10 lengths, but, tragically, was kidnapped in 1983, never to be seen again.
Nijinsky
Galloped into the history books under the legendary Lester Piggott in 1970 by winning the British Triple Crown, a feat that no horse has achieved since.
Brigadier Gerard
Named after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's hero, he won 13 Group 1 races in the 1970s and was beaten once in 18 starts.
Dancing Brave
The boss of his generation, he won eight of his 10 starts between 1985 and 1986, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and was a prolific sire.
Sea The Stars
‘This is one of the greats,' whispered jockey Mick Kinane to trainer John Oxx after winning the 2009 Epsom Derby. Although the colt never won by huge margins, he took six Group 1 races on the trot, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Other notable famous names include
- Rachel Alexandra
- American Pharoah
- War Admiral
- Affirmed
- Ruffian
- Preakness
- Native Dancer
- Bold Ruler
- Eclipse
- California Chrome
- Spectacular Bid
- Alydar
- Curlin
- Phar Lap
- Sunday Silence
- whirlaway
- Foolish Pleasure
Most Famous Horse Race In The World
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Horse Names Coat Color & Patterns
Horse Names By Events/Activities/Sports
Horse Names By Breeds
- Appaloosa Horse Names
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Most Famous Horse Races
8. 1998 Belmont Stakes
Another race with a Triple Crown victory on the line, the epic finish to the 1998 Belmont Stakes is one of the closest races in history. The ultimate leader, Victory Gallop, narrowly beat out the favorite, and winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Real Quiet. It was Bob Baffert's second shot at a Triple Crown, and his horse Real Quiet lost by the smallest margin in Belmont history. The two had come head to head at the Derby and Preakness, with Victory Gallop coming in second both times. The exhilarating finish at the end solidified the loss of another potential Triple Crown victor.
7. 1971 Kentucky Derby
The 1971 Kentucky Derby winner Canonero II was a long shot. After his birth in Kentucky, he was shipped to race in Venezuela before coming back to Kentucky for the Derby. With impossible odds, he managed to surprise everyone with a three length victory at the Derby. While not considered an outstanding horse, his victory is one of a true underdog overcoming the challenges put in his way.
6. 1989 Belmont Stakes
During the 1989 Belmont Stakes, Easy Goer defeated the Horse of the Year Sunday Silence by eight lengths. Easy Goer had previously lost to Sunday Silence in the Derby and Preakness, but managed to win the Belmont and deny Sunday Silence the Triple Crown. He posted the second fastest Belmont time in history at 2:26.1, behind Secretariat's 2:24. Interestingly, Easy Goer was the son of Alydar, the only horse in history to finish in second place for all three Triple Crown races. It was thought that perhaps Easy Goer would follow in his footsteps, but his upset at the Belmont separated him from that legacy.
5. 1993 Breeder's Cup Classic
The Breeder's Cup Classic, while not a major Triple Crown race, is widely considered to be the premier horseracing event in North America. Due to the intense, competitive nature of the race, predictions are quite volatile. With odds of 133-1, the 1993 victory by Arcangue is the biggest upset by an underdog in the history of the Cup. A French horse, Arcangue had previously only raced on grass tracks in Europe, and the Classic was his debut in American racing. The five year old horse was trailing for most of the race before sprinting past the leaders to win in the last strides. To this day, he's famous for managing to beat out the favorite Bertrando in what is one of the greatest upsets in horseracing history.
4. 2009 Kentucky Derby
With odds of 50-1, the nearly seven length victory of Mine That Bird was shocking to most watchers. Though he ran nearly dead last for most of the race, in the final turn shot past the leading Pioneerof the Mile for an outstanding victory. Mine That Bird set records for the longest-odds horse to win the Derby in 85 years, and the biggest lead in a Derby win in more than 60 years. It is still considered one of the most epic finishes to a Derby race, as no one predicted such a performance from the horse.
3. 2015 Belmont Stakes
After 37 years, American Pharoah broke the Triple Crown dry spell in a remarkable Belmont Stakes performance. He currently posts the second fasted Belmont time in history at 2:26.65. While his start was less than ideal, he quickly came to the first position, and ultimately won by five and a half lengths. His time is the second fastest Belmont time in Triple Crown winners' history behind Secretariat. The most remarkable aspect of his Belmont performance, however, is that American Pharoah finally achieved a Triple Crown victory in an era when most believed it could never be done again.
2. 1978 Belmont Stakes
The 1978 Belmont Stakes was the close to one of the greatest horse racing rivalries in history: Affirmed and Alydar. After coming in second at both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, Alydar made a bid for the last leg of the Triple Crown races. However, Affirmed led the pack for the whole race and managed to win by a nose. The pair kicked away from the rest of the pack in a neck to neck race that's still considered one of the greatest showdowns in racing history. While Affirmed's victory meant he secured the 11th Triple Crown in history, it's quite remarkable that Alydar is the only horse in history to come in second at every Triple Crown race. We haven't seen such a pair of horses rival since this epic faceoff.
1. 1973 Belmont Stakes
Secretariat is widely regarded as the second best racehorse of all time behind Man-O-War, but his epic finish at the 1973 Belmont Stakes has remained the best Belmont time of any horse in history. He won by a remarkable 31 lengths- absolutely blowing his competition out of the water. His grand story is amazing, not just because he still hold the track record for the Belmont, but because he still has set the records for every Triple Crown race. In his epic Belmont finish, he solidifies his position as a true champion racer with an outstanding victory.
There is quite a good number of famous thoroughbred race horses. Some of these horses have appeared in records as the greatest of all time in history. Fame for most horses roots mainly from performance, that is, the number of races won, but there are others that are well known not necessary because they were great racers. Following is a list of the most popular names.
What is the most famous race horse?
Secretariat is the most famous race horse of all time in history. Secretariat, also known as big red, was an American Thoroughbred race horse was foaled March 30, 1970 and died October 4, 1989).
In 1973, big red became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. His record-breaking victory in the Belmont Stakes, which he won by 31 lengths, is widely regarded as one of the greatest races in history.
During his racing career, he won five Eclipse Awards, including Horse of the Year honors at ages two and three. He was nominated to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974.
Other famous race horse names include;
Seattle Slew
He was an underrated thoroughbred young male who later turned to be one of the most successful horses in the long history.
In 1977, seattle slew won the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and Preakness). He also won his six other starts, going a perfect 9-0 for the year.
Seabuscuit
Seabiscuit was an underrated American thoroughbred racehorse in the United States who became the top money-winning racehorse up to the 1940s.
Seabiscuit's career highlight was a one-on-one race with 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. Despite missing his regular jockey due to a broken leg, Seabiscuit beat his heavily favored opponent by 4 lengths in a 2-horse special at Pimlico. This has been recorded as one of the greatest upsets in horseracing history. Seabiscuit was voted American Horse of the Year for 1938.
Seabiscuit has been the subject of numerous books and films, including Seabiscuit: the Lost Documentary (1939); the Shirley Temple film The Story of Seabiscuit (1949); a book, Seabiscuit: An American Legend (2001) by Laura Hillenbrand; and a film adaptation of Hillenbrand's book, Seabiscuit (2003), that was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Man o' War
Before Seabiscuit, there was Man o' War, one of the most racehorse in the 1920s. In his prime he won he won 20 of 21 races. The racehorse's only loss was at Saratoga, a track he usually dominated.
Man o' War is believed to have the longest stride(28-foot) of all time.
Frankel
The Thoroughbred of the millennium, unbeaten in 14 races of all the horses trained by the charismatic Sir Henry Cecil, by then dying of cancer, the best was unquestionably saved for last. Mind-blowing performances rolled in one after the other, none more spectacular than his victory in the 2,000 Guineas in 2011
Citation
Eddie Arcaro is one of the greatest jockeys of all time. He's also the only jockey to ever win two Triple Crowns. So, it easy accept that when it comes to racehorses, Arcaro is loaded with plenty of experience. According to the jockey, the greatest horse he ever rode was Citation. In 1948, Citation won 19 of 20 races while accomplishing the Triple Crown — the last until Secretariat's win in 1973.
Zenyatta
Zenyatta (foaled April 1, 2004) is a retired American Thoroughbred race horse mare, winner of 19 starts in a 20-race career. Her sole defeat came in her final race, the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic where she lost by a neck to Blame in an attempt to repeat her win in the 2009 event.
Despite the loss, she was named the 2010 American Horse of the Year. She was also the American Champion Older Female Horse in 2008, 2009 and 2010. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016.
Black Caviar
Black Caviar is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse (foaled 18 August 2006). She is a retired champion undefeated in 25 races, including 15 Group One victories, eclipsing the previous mark set by Kingston Town. Black Caviar was named WTRR World Champion Sprinter in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Dr. Fagar
Dr. Fager (April 6, 1964 – August 5, 1976) was an American thoroughbred racehorse. One of the fastest horse in the world, he is best known for setting a world record for a mile that stood for 29 years, he remains the only horse to earn four official American championship titles in a single season: champion handicap male, champion sprinter, champion turf horse, and Horse of the Year
Painting the Sky
Painting the Sky is one of the most eye-catching thoroughbreds. She's a 'paint' horse, meaning she has patches of brown and white hair all over her body.
She's one of a select few paint thoroughbreds in recent racing history, and she turned plenty of heads whenever she ran.
She won two of 12 starts from 2015 to 2017 while racing on the Louisiana circuit.
Pollard's Vision
Pollard's Vision won more than $1.4 million in career earnings.
In the early-2000's, the book 'Seabiscuit' inspired a movie and gave horse racing a boost in the public eye.
Seabiscuit's longtime jockey, Red Pollard, was blind in one eye, as was this horse that came about when the book and feature film were prominent.
Pollard's Vision earned six victories, including four graded stakes wins, and banked more than $1.4 million in career earnings.
Shergar
Spawned one of the great mysteries, up there with Lord Lucan. The colt won the 1981 Derby by a record 10 lengths, but, tragically, was kidnapped in 1983, never to be seen again.
Nijinsky
Galloped into the history books under the legendary Lester Piggott in 1970 by winning the British Triple Crown, a feat that no horse has achieved since.
Brigadier Gerard
Named after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's hero, he won 13 Group 1 races in the 1970s and was beaten once in 18 starts.
Dancing Brave
The boss of his generation, he won eight of his 10 starts between 1985 and 1986, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and was a prolific sire.
Sea The Stars
‘This is one of the greats,' whispered jockey Mick Kinane to trainer John Oxx after winning the 2009 Epsom Derby. Although the colt never won by huge margins, he took six Group 1 races on the trot, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Other notable famous names include
- Rachel Alexandra
- American Pharoah
- War Admiral
- Affirmed
- Ruffian
- Preakness
- Native Dancer
- Bold Ruler
- Eclipse
- California Chrome
- Spectacular Bid
- Alydar
- Curlin
- Phar Lap
- Sunday Silence
- whirlaway
- Foolish Pleasure
Most Famous Horse Race In The World
More Horse Names & Naming Ideas
A | B | C | D | E |F | G | H | I |J| K | L| M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Horse Names Coat Color & Patterns
Horse Names By Events/Activities/Sports
Horse Names By Breeds
- Appaloosa Horse Names
- Mustang Horse Names
Most Famous Horse Races
Horse Naming Ideas