Meet the horses whose influence reaches beyond the finish line

In the world of horse racing, winners earn prize money and champions win titles, but only legends leave a lasting legacy. Race horses, together with their jockeys, set records and claim victories, which built the very foundation of the sport.

Key takeaways

• Horses became legends primarily for dominating the Grade 1 stakes in their respective countries. 
• The legends in horse racing don’t end their legacy in their racing career. Genes are passed on through long bloodlines of champions over the years. 

The racehorses are legends hailing from different eras, but their legacies are timeless. Whether they’re racing for a historic victory or making their debut, these horses are the true stars of the sport. Some of the legendary race horses are: 

Man o’ War (USA)

Man o’ War was largely regarded as one of the best race horses of all time. He’s the only racehorse to win 20 out of 21 races, including the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes (20 lengths at the time). He began racing in 1919, winning 9 out of his 10 starts, and went on to achieve a perfect record the following year, winning all 11 of his starts. 

The world witnessed two years of racing from Man o’ War as he retired after his 1920 campaign. Even though it was short, it was eventful compared to most Thoroughbreds. He became a stud soon after his three-year-old campaign and became Leading Sire in North America in 1926.

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Secretariat (USA)

Secretariat’s reign spanned between 1972 and 1973, then retiring to be a stud soon after. Just like Man o’ War, he’s had a fruitful career, winning 16 of his 21 races, all of which are among the top horse racing tournaments. Although that’s fewer wins than Man o’ War, he was a Triple Crown champion in 1973. 

The world of American Thoroughbred horse racing has already advanced far enough since Man o’ War’s time, and Secretariat still thrived with flying colours. What made him one of the most famous racehorses in history was his iconic victory at the Belmont Stakes, where he won by an astonishing 31 lengths, completing the 1.5-mile track in 2:24 flat.

Zenyatta (USA)

Zenyatta had a remarkable career, debuting as a three-year-old in 2005 and retiring as a 6-year-old in 2010. Throughout her career, she earned the nickname 'Queen of Racing' due to her dominant performances. She was named Champion Older Female Horse for three consecutive years and was awarded American Horse of the Year in 2010. 

There are 19 wins out of 20 starts in Zenyatta’s career, and her rival Black Caviar had an undefeated career with 25 wins from 25 starts. However, she is still impressive for consistently winning the Vanity Handicap, Clement L. Hirsch, and Lady’s Secret Stakes for 3 consecutive years. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Black Caviar (AUS)

Black Caviar is often mentioned alongside Zenyatta as her rival during the same era. Her greatest feat is winning 25 out of 25 starts until her retirement in 2013. Black Caviar’s most impressive finishes were in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes and William Reid Stakes, where she is recognised as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. 

The 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in the UK was also a key moment in Black Caviar’s career. It was her first major international test outside of Australia and is one of the most prestigious sprint races in the world, putting pressure on her unbeaten streak. She won with a nail-biting finish, only by a head over Restiadargent from France. 

Seabiscuit (USA)

Seabiscuit is the grandson of Man o’ War, but he didn’t start as one of the best race horses ever. His two-year-old campaign in 1935 was challenging, as he raced frequently but only won 5 of his 35 starts. 

Success only started after being handed to a new trainer, Tom Smith and jockey Red Pollard in 1936. The following year was fruitful for Seabiscuit, winning 11 out of 15 races, including the Brooklyn Handicap and Hollywood Gold Cup. 

The year 1938 was Seabiscuit’s most famous year, even though he only won 6 of his 11 starts. The highlight of the year was his victory over War Admiral at the Pimlico Race Course, dubbing it the 'Match Race of the Century'. 

Phar Lap (AUS/NZ)

Phar Lap is a huge Australian Thoroughbred, standing at 17.1 hands at the shoulders and was a national hero representing Australia in the Great Depression. He dominated the country’s top races from 1929 to 1931, winning 32 out of 35 races. This includes the Melbourne Cup 1930, a few days after someone tried to assassinate him during training. 

The poisoning incident in Phar Lap’s life made his victory even more iconic, but it was more than that. He carried 9 stones with an aggregate weight of 62.6 kilograms, a burden that would make any three-year-old struggle. He still won with a comfortable 3 lengths lead, symbolising resilience against all odds that inspired all of Australia in such a trying time. 

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American Pharoah (USA)

American Pharoah proved the regal status his name carries upon showing the United States a true legend in a time when no one expected it. Horse racing competitions in the West have been highly competitive, resulting in a drought of Triple Crown winners since 1978. American Pharoah changed that in 2015 as its first winner in 37 years. 

The most impressive feat in American Pharoah’s attempt for the Triple Crown was when he kept the lead and reached the finish line by 5 ½ lengths in the Belmont Stakes. He is also the winner of the first-ever Grand Slam of American horse racing after completing the Breeders’ Classic after the Triple Crown victory. 

Kelso (USA)

Consistency is the biggest proof that victory is not a fluke. American Thoroughbred Kelso is a prime example, having won the Horse of the Year title five times between 1960 and 1964. He was inducted into the US Racing Hall of Fame in 1967 and into the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in 1977. 

Incredible stamina is one of Kelso's most notable strengths after excelling in both shorter and longer races. He was a standout racehorse in his three-year-old campaign for beating older horses, continuing his success into his final season. Kelso retired in 1966 with a record of 39 wins, placed 12 times and finished third twice out of 63 starts. 

What makes a racehorse a legend in horse racing?

Horse racing is a fiercely competitive industry where every participant is expected to perform at a certain level. Exceeding expectations is not enough to become a legend. There are the qualities that separate the good from the truly iconic. Here’s what you should look for when choosing who to wager on when horse race betting:

Performance on the big stage

A win rate and number of wins aren’t enough to get a horse noticed. For example, Kincsem in Hungary won 54 starts and is the only unbeaten race horse with over 50 career starts. 

Kincsem is great and is recognised as one of the top race horses, but she can’t be compared to Man o’ War. He may only have a 95.24% win rate, but he dominated far more difficult races with handicaps. 

Consistency in form and grace

A horse could win the difficult Belmont Stakes with flying colours, but most people wouldn’t remember their name if that’s their only victory. Horses compete in multiple competitions as much as possible and prove their mettle to the racing industry. 

When asked, ‘Who is the greatest horse of all time?’, the popular answer will always be someone with multiple consecutive wins. Some of them could also be record setters, namely Secretariat, Black Caviar, and Zenyatta. Horse racing fans may remember one-hit wonders, but they are rarely considered to answer this question. 

Lasting legacy and continuing a strong bloodline

Breeding is a major part of the horse racing industry. Champions are favoured as studs and broodmares in hopes that their excellent race-winning genes will be passed down and create better racehorses. Therefore, a legendary racehorse is highly valued for its bloodline, and its pedigree contributes to how the world perceives its excellent physique. 

Bet on horse racing legends in the making at Gamdom 

More legends may emerge from horse racing yet and stand alongside their predecessors in the Hall of Fame. Follow their adventures and bet on their journey to superstardom right here at Gamdom, the best crypto betting website. 

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