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Exploring Famous Racehorse Names and Their Meanings
Scan the entries on a typical racecard and you'll see a wide assortment of ordinary nouns and phrases make up a significant portion of the names Thoroughbreds carry with them throughout their lives.
Features
Horses to follow in 2025: Senza Parole
Remember Senza Parole, the sensational debut winner at Saratoga who was sure to be the red-hot favorite in the Frizette (G1)?
Racing
Finding Kentucky Derby Horses in Hidden Places
The path to the First Saturday in May at Churchill Downs goes through the Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series.
Racing
Horse Profile: Whistlejacket
As the only Group 1 winner in the field, with high speed that hasn’t quite lasted over stiffer tracks, Whistlejacket makes a lot of sense on the cutback at Del Mar.
Horse
Horse Profile: Diego Velazquez
Before the Saratoga Derby (G1) fell victim to a weather postponement, Diego Velazquez was being mentioned as a possible candidate for Australia’s Cox Plate (G1).
Horse
Horse Profile: Ten Happy Rose
After a 207-1 shock in the “Win and You’re In” Victoria Mile (G1), Ten Happy Rose would be easy to discount.
Horse
Horse Profile: Porta Fortuna
Runner-up by a half-length in last year’s Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, Porta Fortuna returns stateside with a glittering resume.
Horse
Horse Profile: Notable Speech
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby bids for an unprecedented fourth straight Mile trophy, relying this time on Notable Speech.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Meta Max
Owned by Susumu Fujita, who sponsors the Sprint through his Cygames company, Meta Max is likely to be an anticlimax after Fujita’s Forever Young contests the Classic.
International
Horse Profile: Don Frankie
As a confirmed front runner, Don Frankie promises to add fuel to the pace fire in the Sprint.
Horse
Horse Profile: South American imports
South American imports Mufasa and Full Serrano have done enough stateside to gauge their ability.
Horse
Horse Profile: Remake
With a superabundance of early speed on tap, deep-closing Remake will get the right set-up if he can mobilize quickly enough down the Del Mar stretch.
Horse
Horse Profile: Soprano
Soprano faces an obvious distance question here. The prospect of a strenuous pace will ruthlessly expose any stamina limitations.
Racing
Horse Profile: Beach Bomb
A homebred for Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, Beach Bomb now runs in the name of its British arm, Cayton Park Stud.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Cinderella’s Dream and Beautiful Love
The Godolphin duo can be judged on their respective efforts in New York, but it might help to view them through the international lens.
Racing
Horse Profile: Content
Content returns with an enhanced profile after landing the “Win and You’re In” Yorkshire Oaks (G1).
International
Horse Profile: Ushba Tesoro
Fifth in last year’s Classic at Santa Anita, Ushba Tesoro hopes for better luck with the venue switch to Del Mar.
Horse
Horse Profile: Forever Young
Trained by international maestro Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young has the advantage of being proven in U.S. conditions.
Horse
Horse Profile: Wingspan
As a gritty front runner, Wingspan will be prominent for a long way, but her efforts might ultimately play into the hands of venerable stablemate Luxembourg.
Horse
Horse Profile: Jayarebe
Trainer Brian Meehan has won the Turf twice with relative outsiders, and Jayarebe will try to give him a third.
Horse
Horse Profile: Luxembourg
If the erstwhile glamor colt doesn’t occupy the same Ballydoyle pedestal as in former years, Luxembourg remains a threat when he lands in the right spot to do himself justice.
Horse
Horse Profile: Rousham Park
If Shahryar is the well-traveled Japanese contender with all of the requisite credentials, Rousham Park is the up-and-comer with a world of potential
Horse
Horse Profile: Rebel’s Romance
Godolphin’s 2022 Turf hero has regrouped from a star-crossed 2023 and arrives with strong claims to regain his crown
Racing
Horse Profile: Shahryar
A terrific third at 25-1 in last year’s Turf despite a last-prep hiccup, Shahryar returns off a smoother build-up to try again.
Horse
Horse Profile: Alice Verite
Having raced exclusively on the Japanese turf so far, Alice Verite had the Filly & Mare Turf as her first preference at the pre-entry stage.
Horse
Horse Profile: Che Evasora
Che Evasora’s flop in her stateside prep in the Zenyatta (G2) did nothing to answer the question marks about her Breeders’ Cup potential.
Horse
Horse Profile: Starlust
As a close third to Big Evs in last year’s Juvenile Turf Sprint at odds of 24-1, Starlust is proven in stateside conditions
Horse
Horse Profile: Star of Mystery
By Kodiac, Star of Mystery is a half-sister to two North American Grade 1 winners for Charlie Appleby, Althiqa and Mysterious Night.
Horse
Horse Profile: Awesome Result
Awesome Result captured the same prep that launched Marche Lorraine, who upset the 2021 Distaff at Del Mar for Japan.
Horse
Horse Profile: Bradsell
One year after being scratched from the Turf Sprint, Bradsell returns with an enhanced portfolio as Europe’s leading five-furlong performer.
Horse
Horse Profile: Believing
Believing is the lone international of that demographic this year, and like Glass Slippers, she has experience around a turn.
Racing
Horse Profile: Big Evs
Big Evs is trying to emulate Golden Pal’s feat as a Juvenile Turf Sprint winner who follows up versus elders in the next year’s Turf Sprint.
Horse
Horse Profile: Frost at Dawn
Although Frost at Dawn’s career highlight is a course record-setting coup in the Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3) over Star of Mystery (Turf Sprint), the William Knight sophomore has acted on dirt and all-weather as well.
Horse
Horse Profile: Pandora’s Gift
A three-year-old filly by Churchill and out of a mare by Exceed and Excel, whose progeny have taken to dirt in Dubai, Pandora’s Gift was a rapid improver over the winter on the all-weather.
Horse
Horse Profile: Isivunguvungu
South African sprinters have a history of performing up to the highest standard on the international stage.
Horse
Horse Profile: Derma Sotogake
After outperforming his 26-1 odds as the runner-up last year, Derma Sotogake is likely to be overlooked again.
International
Horse Profile: Henri Matisse
As the sole runner for O’Brien, a six-time winner of this race including the past two years in a row, Henri Matisse is eminently logical.
Horse
Horse Profile: Shareholder
By the same sire as Turf Sprint favorite Cogburn, Not This Time, Shareholder was on an accelerated course to make Royal Ascot just about a month after selling at Arqana May for roughly $495,000.
Horse
Horse Profile: Aesterius
One of two prime contenders for Wathnan Racing, along with Shareholder, Aesterius has a couple of points in common with trainer Archie Watson’s best previous hope in this race.
Horse
Horse Profile: Big Mojo
Trained by Mick Appleby for RP Racing, Big Mojo aims to give his connections a repeat win in this race, following stablemate Big Evs (Turf Sprint).
Horse
Horse Profile: Magnum Force
Third as the Flying Childers (G2) favorite, Magnum Force has to find a way to reverse form with Aesterius and Big Mojo.
Horse
Horse Profile: Arizona Blaze
After missing narrowly with Valiant Force a year ago, Kia Joorabchian’s AMO Racing and trainer Adrian Murray return with Arizona Blaze.
Horse
Horse Profile: Ecoro Sieg
Fresh off a juvenile record-smashing romp at Nakayama, unbeaten Ecoro Sieg will try to give Japan’s pioneer on the world scene, Hideyuki Mori, a first Breeders’ Cup win.
Racing
Horse Profile: American Bikini
When setting or equaling the juvenile track record in her front-running victories, American Bikini has called to mind the panache of sire American Pharoah.
Horse
Horse Profile: Otomena Shacho
Although Otomena Shacho was no match for American Bikini in an about five-furlong scramble at Kokura, she took a step forward to set a juvenile track record of her own next time out.
Racing
Horse Profile: Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria brings a stellar 4-for-4 record, including the “Win and You’re In” Moyglare Stud (G1) and the Cheveley Park (G1) that showcased vastly different running styles.
Horse
Horse Profile: Heavens Gate
Ballydoyle’s second contender fulfills a lot of criteria with her tactical speed from the gate and rock-solid consistency. The question is that Heavens Gate appears to have plateaued, and it’s uncertain if she has much scope to progress beyond what she’s shown so far.
Horse
Horse Profile: Fiery Lucy
An unlucky second to Heavens Gate last time out, Fiery Lucy could be underestimated here.
Racing
Horse Profile: Anshoda
Later acquired privately by Team Valor and Gary Barber, Anshoda earned her way in via the “Win and You’re In” Prestige (G3).
Horse
Horse Profile: Hill Road
Hill Road comes off a subpar effort, and one recent report had suggested that he might not run again this season.
Racing
Horse Profile: Shin Believe
Fifth with Full Flat in 2019 and 10th with Jasper Great in 2021, he’s double-handed this year with a pair of Kentucky-breds sourced at OBS March – Shin Believe and Ecoro Azel.
Horse
Horse Profile: Ecoro Azel
Most recently a slow-starting fifth to American Bikini (Juvenile Fillies), the Mori-trained Ecoro Azel hopes to get a form boost going into the Juvenile.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Satono Carnaval
The first Japanese-based juvenile to attempt this race, undefeated Satono Carnaval has telegraphed serious potential.
Racing
Horse Profile: Aomori City
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby, who has won this race three times, is hard pressed to split Aomori City and Al Qudra.
Racing
Horse Profile: New Century
Four years after Qatar Racing, trainer Andrew Balding, and jockey Oisin Murphy teamed up with Kameko, who finished seventh as the Mile favorite, they’re back hopeful of a better result with his son New Century
Horse
Horse Profile: Al Qudra
Appleby’s other contender, Al Qudra, is a hardened veteran with a six-race campaign that began back in mid-April. Considering that he’d beaten New Century twice before the checkered passage in the Summer (G1), Al Qudra could claim the chance to rebound – unless New Century has progressed beyond him at this point. That’s the main question about the otherwise solid Godolphin entrant.
Racing
Horse Profile: Seagulls Eleven
An aggrieved third in the Vincent O’Brien National (G1), where he was mugged by Henri Matisse, Seagulls Eleven has a stealthy look in this spot. He also exits a loss in the Dewhurst (G1), which in the past has been a useful angle. Juvenile Turf winners George Vancouver (2012), Outstrip (2013), and Mendelssohn (at Del Mar in 2017) had placed in the Dewhurst, while Seagulls Eleven was only fourth, but the larger point remains of interest.
Horse
Horse Profile: Ides of March
O’Brien’s other runner, Ides of March, has yet to race at stablemate Whistlejacket’s level, as short as five furlongs, or away from the Curragh.
Horse
Horse Profile: Emily Upjohn
If Emily Upjohn has been more frustrating to follow than not, she’s capable of firing a devastating broadside when the circumstances align.
Horse
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mage
It’s safe to say Mage hails from a family of Kentucky Derby veterans. His sire, grandsire, and dam sire all started in the Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby
2023 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Christophe Lemaire
The career of globetrotting jockey Christophe Lemaire can be divided into two halves, both stacked with success in major races.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mandarin Hero
Does Mandarin Hero have the breeding to shine racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone Mischief
Can Cyclone Mischief become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Skinner
If Skinner's pedigree is any indication, racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1) may bring about a career-best performance from the bay colt.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Disarm
The cross of Gun Runner with Tapit mares has already produced several high-level racehorses, including 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Disarm.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sun Thunder
By picking up Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points in a quartet of prep races, Sun Thunder earned his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Verifying
There are many well-bred horses slated to start in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), but few—if any—can boast as blueblood a pedigree as Blue Grass (G1) runner-up Verifying.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: First Mission
The Road to the Kentucky Derby wrapped up with the 1 1/16-mile Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, in which the beautifully bred First Mission battled up the inside to score a tenacious victory.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lord Miles
Few bettors expected Lord Miles to win the Wood Memorial (G2), but the pace-tracking colt defied expectations to prevail by a nose at 59-1, stamping his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Continuar
A victory in the Cattleya S. and a third-place finish in the UAE Derby (G2) earned Continuar enough Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points to secure a berth in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wild On Ice
An upset victory in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby propelled Wild On Ice into the spotlight. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Two Phil's
Although Two Phil’s has shown talent on dirt, he elevated his game to a new level when tackling a synthetic Tapeta track in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Kingsbarns
A gate-to-wire victory in the Louisiana Derby has launched Kingsbarns into the Kentucky Derby picture, and his pedigree suggests he’s well-suited to racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Derma Sotogake
It isn’t surprising to see UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake display both speed and stamina.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Talk of the Nation another one for Zenyatta's family
Recent Rebel (G2) winner Confidence Game put Zenyatta’s family back in the spotlight, since his dam is a half-sister to the Hall of Famer. Not to be outdone, another Zenyatta relative has produced a high-profile three-year-old who’s turning heads, but on turf – Talk of the Nation.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tapit Trice
Victories in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass (G1) vaulted Tapit Trice into the Kentucky Derby picture.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Raise Cain
Violence picked up another possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when his son Raise Cain unleashed a giant rally from behind a fast pace to dominate Aqueduct’s Gotham (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Congruent
Don’t assume John Battaglia Memorial S. winner Congruent is a synthetic specialist; to the contrary, he’s a versatile young runner capable of performing well over any surface.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Practical Move
Practical Move joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an upset victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos, but does he have the pedigree to thrive in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
One of the most accomplished horses on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is Forte.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Confidence Game
A well-timed rally from midfield carried Confidence Game to victory in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn Park, stamping the improving colt as a viable contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire
Stretch-running victories in the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) have propelled Angel of Empire into the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Run for the Roses?
Kentucky Derby
Chase the Chaos winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chase the Chaos
What do we make of Chase the Chaos, who unleashed a giant homestretch rally to win the El Camino Real Derby over the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields? Can he successfully switch to dirt?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hit Show
When Hit Show stormed down the Aqueduct homestretch to dominate the 1 1/8-mile Withers (G3), he fulfilled the promise of a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree profile: Newgate
Does Newgate have the pedigree to succeed over classic distances? It’s not necessarily a clear-cut answer, because there are mixed signals to interpret.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rocket Can
It isn’t surprising to see Rocket Can enjoying success on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The gray colt boasts a pedigree combining speed with stamina, often a recipe for success in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree profile: Arabian Knight
An impressive victory from Arabian Knight in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park has launched the $2.3 million auction acquisition thoroughly into the Triple Crown picture.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dubyuhnell
Unwavering tenacity carried Dubyuhnell to a hard-fought victory in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, but can he stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee has always had the pedigree to shine as an early-maturing Road to the Kentucky Derby contender.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree profile: Cave Rock
Speed is the greatest weapon a racehorse can possess. Stamina is equally dangerous as distances get longer. Combine speed with stamina, and you have the makings of an elite racehorse.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Blazing Sevens
It’s no wonder why Blazing Sevens has enjoyed success running long on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The stretch-running Champagne S. (G1) winner has a strong pedigree for handling classic distances.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Curly Jack
In 2018, reigning champion two-year-old male Good Magic ran a gallant second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Perhaps Good Magic’s son Curly Jack can go one better in 2023.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rich Strike
Once in a while, a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender comes along with a pedigree seemingly perfect for racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Such is the case with Rich Strike.
Kentucky Derby