Famous Horses
Kincsem
Kincsem (Hungarian for “My Precious”) is the most successful thoroughbred racehorse of all time. She won an incredible 54 races out of 54 starts at various tracks across Europe. No other horse has ever broken this record. Her unbeaten streak against Europe’s best horses brought her national icon status in Hungary and huge fame in other parts of the world. The biggest horse racing venue in Budapest is named after her.
Eclipse
Eclipse was an exceptional, 18th century British thoroughbred racehorse who won all of his 18 starts, including 11 King’s Plates. His owners retired him after just 17 months due to lack of competition as nobody was betting on rival horses. He later became a very successful sire. Eclipse’s skeleton is now standing at the Royal Veterinary College in Hertfordshire. A necropsy on Eclipse revealed that he had an abnormally large heart (weighing 14 lbs/6.3 kg.).
Man o' War
Man o’ War is an historic name among thoroughbreds. He won 20 out of 21 races after World War I, setting three world records, two American records and three course records. His only defeat came when he still was circling with his back to the starting line when the barrier was raised. As a two-year old, he carried 59kg in six races; few horses ever carried that much at any age. Man o’ War was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957. He was ranked number one by the Blood-Horse Magazine, and Sports Illustrated as the greatest horse of the 20th century.
Secretariat
Secretariat was a legendary American racehorse, holder of several milestones and prestigious awards. He became the first Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting race records in all three events in the series. After his death, a necropsy showed that his heart was considerably larger than that of an ordinary horse. In 1999, ESPN ranked Secretariat 35th best athlete of the 20th century. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974.
Best Mate
Best Mate was one of the most loved horses in the history of horse racing in the UK. His sudden death made the front covers of the national newspapers. Tributes all over the country poured in after his suffered a heart attack while competing in the William Hill Haldon Gold Cup. Best-Made won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, and never felt of a fence or hurdle in his entire racing career. He came first in 14 starts out of 22 and second in 7 of them. He was made one of the elite 12 on the Cheltenham Hall of Fame in March 2007.
Red Rum
Red Rum was a champion race horse who achieved an almost unthinkable historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977. The famous steeplechase is one of the most difficult races in the world, often referred to as being “the ultimate test of a horse’s courage. Red Rum’s racing to victory from 30 lengths behind is arguably the greatest Grand National’s triumph ever. In a 2002 UK poll Red Rum’s historic third victory was voted the 24th greatest sporting moment of all time. He still remains the best-known racehorse in the UK.
