History UsefulNotes / HorseRacing

* '''Northern Dancer:''' A smallish Canada-bred bay out of a Native Dancer mare, he won 14 out of his 18 career races, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Queen's Plate in 1964. After an injury later that year, he was retired to stud, and became the most influential sire of the 20th century, producing nearly 150 stakes winners, with his first major success being his son Nijinsky (see immediately below). At one point in the 1980s, his stud fee was $1 million, a record to this day. His bloodlines continue to influence the breed today—of the horses specifically named in this listing (besides Nijinsky), he appears in the pedigrees of Makybe Diva, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Rachel Alexandra, Sadler's Wells, Danehill, Galileo, Wise Dan, Black Caviar, and Frankel.

* '''Justify''' is the most recent American Triple Crown winner, having done so in 2018. The chestnut colt, trained by American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert, had an unusual path to greatness, most notably not being raced as a two-year-old (he suffered an injury and was rested for that year). While he entered the Kentucky Derby unbeaten, he faced one of that race's deepest fields in living memory, and also faced the so-called “Curse of Apollo”—no horse unraced as a 2-year-old had won the Kentucky Derby since the aforementioned Apollo in ''1882''. On top of that, the field faced a horribly muddy track, with nearly 3 inches (7.5 cm) of rain falling on race day, a record for Louisville on Derby Day. It proved no problem for Justify... and neither did another muddy track in the Preakness. He then won the Belmont wire-to-wire, becoming only the second horse to win the US Triple Crown while unbeaten, the first being Seattle Slew in 1977.

* '''Justify''' is the most recent American Triple Crown winner, having done so in 2018. The chestnut colt, trained by American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert, had an unusual path to greatness, most notably not being raced as a two-year-old (he suffered an injury and was rested for that year). While he entered the Kentucky Derby unbeaten, he faced one of that race's deepest fields in living memory, and also faced the so-called “Curse of Apollo”—no horse unraced as a 2-year-old had won the Kentucky Derby since the aforementioned Apollo in ''1882''. On top of that, the field faced a horribly muddy track, with nearly 3 inches (7.5 cm) of rain falling on race day, a record for Louisville on Derby Day. It proved no problem for Justify... and neither did another muddy track in the Preakness. By winning the Belmont, he became only the second horse to win the US Triple Crown while unbeaten, the first being Seattle Slew in 1977.

Another critique is that American Thoroughbreds are excessively inbred. Several breeding lines are especially popular, particularly that of Northern Dancer, a Canadian champion who is the grandsire of the great Storm Cat, and Seattle Slew (the only horse to win the U.S. Triple Crown while undefeated), through his son A.P. Indy.

** A castrated male horse of any age is called a gelding. A male horse with one or both testicles undescended is a ridgeling. Ridgelings are often gelded before they enter training but not always: the famous stallion A.P. Indy is a ridgeling, as is the most recent U.S. Triple Crown winner American [[MyNaymeIs Pharoah]]. Ridgelings can also be known as rigs.

* '''Justify''' is the most recent American Triple Crown winner, having done so in 2018. The chestnut colt, trained by American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert, had an unusual path to greatness, most notably not being raced as a two-year-old (he suffered an injury and was rested for that year). While he entered the Kentucky Derby unbeaten, he faced one of that race's deepest fields in living memory, and also faced the so-called “Curse of Apollo”—no horse unrated as a 2-year-old had won the Kentucky Derby since the aforementioned Apollo in ''1882''. On top of that, the field faced a horribly muddy track, with nearly 3 inches (7.5 cm) of rain falling on race day, a record for Louisville on Derby Day. It proved no problem for Justify... and neither did another muddy track in the Preakness. By winning the Belmont, he became only the second horse to win the US Triple Crown while unbeaten, the first being Seattle Slew in 1977.

** These three races comprise the Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred racing. Only 12 horses have won all three — before American Pharoah swept the series in 2015 (just when people were starting to wonder if winning the Triple Crown was just something that didn't happen anymore), the last to do so was Affirmed in 1978.

* Number of horses to win the U.S. Triple Crown: 12 (Sir Barton, 1919; Gallant Fox, 1930; Omaha, 1935; War Admiral, 1937; Whirlaway, 1941; Count Fleet, 1943; Assault, 1946; Citation, 1948; Secretariat[[note]]who pulverized every relevant race and track record in the process[[/note]], 1973; Seattle Slew, 1977; Affirmed, 1978; and American Pharoah, 2015)

* '''American [[MyNaymeIs Pharoah]]''' won the American Triple Crown in 2015. The 3-year-old ridgling, also notable for having only half of his tail (most likely bitten off by another horse when he was a yearling), became the first horse in 37 years to win that elusive prize, unclaimed since Affirmed in 1978. He lost his first start (finishing 5th in a Maiden Special Weight race), broke his maiden a month later in the Grade I Del Mar Futurity, and didn't lose until the Travers Stakes at the end of August. He then took a break until the Breeders' Cup Classic on Halloween, easily winning his final race (and making him the first Grand Slam winner in history). His time in the Belmont Stakes, 2:26.65, was the second-fastest Triple Crown Belmont in history, following only Secretariat's 2:24; his final quarter in 24.32 was actually ''faster'' than Secretariat's. His 5 1⁄2 victory margin is exceeded by only two Triple Crown winners (Count Fleet in 1943, who won by 25 lengths; and Secretariat again, who won by 31).

* And yes - to answer an obvious question that comes to the mind of most racing newbies - there [[http://rules.britishhorseracing.com/Orders-and-rules&staticID=126780&depth=3 are rules]] about what you can call a race horse. Incidentally in the UK some of the joke names given in various Series/AlanPartridge sports reports on ''Series/TheDayToday'' have become ''almost'' as well known as real horses.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horses of recent days to continue racing into their fourth years are California Chrome (who was retired in January 2017 as a 6-year-old) and Arrogate (currently racing as a four-year-old). California Chrome's bankroll of over $14 million was the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse before Arrogate rode 2017 wins in the world's two richest races to a new North American record of $17.4 million. Before this pair, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horses of recent days to continue racing into their fourth years are California Chrome (who was retired in January 2017 as a 6-year-old) and Arrogate (currently racing as a four-year-old). California Chrome's bankroll of over $14 million was the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse before Arrogate rode 2017 wins in the world's two richest races to a new North American record of $17 million and counting. Before this pair, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

* Racing surfaces are exposed to the effects of the weather. A dry but resilient dirt surface is called "fast" -- a damp track is "muddy" -- a very wet track with standing water over the surface is "sloppy." If a course is packed tight or excessively dry, it is "hard."
** Likewise on a turf course, the condition may be "firm," "soft," or "yielding."

* Races are often grouped by age and sex. Races restricted to 2-year-olds are called "juvenile." Races restricted to females are "distaff." A race for three-year-olds of either sex is a "derby"; a race for three-year-old females is an "oaks".

* Races are also grouped by distance: A race shorter than a mile is a sprint. One and a quarter miles (the distance of the Kentucky Derby, among others) is a "classic distance." Races longer than that are sometimes called marathons and are relatively rare in American Thoroughbred racing.

** Maiden -- Entry is restricted to horses which have never won a race; to "break his/her maiden" is racing-speak for a horse "winning his/her first race"

** The highest honor is the "Horse of the Year" award. It is generally awarded to males, but some notable females (All Along, Busher, Azeri, Lady's Secret, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and Havre de Grace) are on that roll[[note]]the ladies went an unheard of 3-for-3 beginning in 2009 with Rachel Alexandra, who was followed by Zenyatta (2010) and Havre de Grace (2011)[[/note]]. The incumbent Horse of the Year is the aforementioned California Chrome.

* '''Secretariat''': If you don't think Man O' War is the greatest racehorse of all time, chances are it's because you think the title belongs to Secretariat. By stallion Bold Ruler, out of Somethingroyal, and winner of the 1973 Triple Crown, he crushed the records of all three races, but is best known for his ''[[CurbStompBattle thirty-one length]]'' victory in the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-KvaeuIIsw 1973 Belmont Stakes]]. Most of his all-time world records still stand; in the Belmont, for instance, no other horse has come within one and a half seconds of equalling him. Coasting out from under the wire after winning the Belmont, he set a track record for the mile and five-eighths. ''As he was coasting out from under the wire''. As in, '''''he wasn't even trying.''''' Won Eclipse Horse of the Year honors in both 1972 and 1973. Is the subject of [[{{Film/Secretariat}} a 2010 movie]], starring Creator/DianeLane as his owner Penny Chenery and Creator/JohnMalkovich as trainer Lucien Laurin.

* '''Arrogate''': Speaking of which, the horse that ran down Chrome in the Breeders' Cup Classic came out of nowhere into prominence in 2016. Unraced as a two-year-old, the gray colt first ran in a maiden race in April 2016, finishing third. He then won a longer maiden race in June, and soon won two allowance races. He was then entered in the Travers Stakes, a famous Grade I race, where he broke a track record that had stood since 1979. Arrogate's next race was the aforementioned Breeders' Cup Classic. While he finished behind Chrome for Horse of the Year honors, he claimed the consolation prize of the Eclipse Award for three-year-old males. In his next two outings, he scored wins in the world's two richest races, the Pegasus World Cup and Dubai World Cup, putting him atop the all-time money list for North American horses.

* And yes - to answer an obvious question that comes to the mind of most racing newbies - there [[http://rules.britishhorseracing.com/Orders-and-rules&staticID=126780&depth=3 are rules]] about what you can call a race horse. Incidentally in the UK some of the joke names given in various AlanPartridge sports reports on ''TheDayToday'' have become ''almost'' as well known as real horses.

* Among horse breeders, "brother", "sister", and "sibling" have somewhat different definitions than in the human frame of reference. These terms are only used when two horses have the same "dam", i.e. mother. Full siblings have the same sire (father) and dam; half-siblings are out of the same mare but from different sires. Horses with the same sire but from different mares are simply said to be "from the same sire", with no sibling relationship implied.[[note]]Most likely because stallions will impregnate several dozen mares each season. A few top stallions even shuttle between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to cover mares in both regions; those have been known to service over 200 mares in a year.[[/note]]

* '''Makybe Diva''': 3-time Melbourne Cup winner, one of Australia's biggest local celebrities as a result. Her name is a combination of "'''Ma'''ureen, '''Ky'''lie, '''Be'''linda, '''Di'''ane, and '''Va'''nessa", five women employed by her owner, Tony Šantić. Also the biggest money-winner in history who wasn't based in Japan (A$14.5 million, or US$15.5 million using conversion rates during her career).

* '''California Chrome''': One of the more recent Triple Crown prospects, and the biggest money-winner ever among US-based horses. Not incredibly exceptional as a racer (winning the 2014 Derby and Preakness by 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 lengths, respectively), he nevertheless attracted attention because of his peculiar story, which is so "little-guy-makes-it" Hollywood couldn't have written a better piece of Americana. His owners are, in their own description, "a couple of working stiffs" who put up $10,000 to buy a modestly pedigreed mare and pay a stud fee in the hopes of getting a decent horse; by pedigree alone, he shouldn't even have been in the Kentucky Derby. But there he was, winning the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and then with a serious shot at being the first California-bred horse to with the Triple Crown... until the Belmont, when he couldn't find his top gear and finished fourth. It also helped that he has a kind of charm about him (he loves a particular kind of horse cookie and seems to like cameras). After the Preakness, went on a dry spell for much of the rest of the year, but came back to win the Grade I Hollywood Derby, giving him enough of a résumé to seal Horse of the Year honors. "Chrome" continued racing as a 4-year-old, but missed most of that year due to injury. He came back as a 5-year-old in 2016 and won the world's then-richest race, the Dubai World Cup, giving him the all-time money lead among American horses. Chrome then went unbeaten that season before being beaten by Arrogate in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It was originally planned to be his finale, but when the inaugural Pegasus World Cup was announced, Chrome's interests entered him for one last race. He finished injured and badly beaten, but (thankfully) the injury didn't threaten his breeding future.

* '''Secretariat''': If you don't think Man O' War is the greatest racehorse of all time, chances are it's because you think the title belongs to Secretariat. By stallion Bold Ruler, out of Somethingroyal, and winner of the 1973 Triple Crown, he crushed the records of all three races, but is best known for his ''[[CurbStompBattle thirty-one length]]'' victory in the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-KvaeuIIsw 1973 Belmont Stakes]]. Most of his all-time world records still stand; in the Belmont, for instance, no other horse has come within one and a half seconds of equalling him. Coasting out from under the wire after winning the Belmont, he set a track record for the mile and five-eighths. ''As he was coasting out from under the wire''. As in, '''''he wasn't even trying.''''' Won Eclipse Horse of the Year honors in both 1972 and 1973. Is the subject of [[{{Film/Secretariat}} a 2010 movie]], starring Diane Lane as his owner Penny Chenery and John Malkovich as trainer Lucien Laurin.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (who was retired in January 2017 as a 6-year-old), whose bankroll at the track (over $14 million) is the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

** Graded stakes - The highest level of competition. Stakes may be Grade I, II, or III (Group 1, 2, or 3 in English racing) with a corresponding increase in the amount 'staked' (and a corresponding increase in the prestige of winning or placing, as well as in the size of the purse)

** Restricted - This race is open only to certain horses, generally those bred in a state other than Kentucky. Differ from allowance races in that restricted races may also be stakes.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (who is set to be retired in January 2017 as a 6-year-old), whose bankroll at the track (over $14 million) is the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

* UsefulNotes/{{Dubai}} World Cup – With a current purse of US$10 million, it was the world's richest horse race until the announcement of the Pegasus World Cup, a $12 million race that will hold its first edition in 2017.

** The highest honor is the "Horse of the Year" award. It is generally awarded to males, but some notable females (All Along, Busher, Azeri, Lady's Secret, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and Havre de Grace) are on that roll[[note]]the ladies went an unheard of 3-for-3 beginning in 2009 with Rachel Alexandra, who was followed by Zenyatta (2010) and Havre de Grace (2011)[[/note]]. The incumbent Horse of the Year is American Pharoah, a four-year-old colt (using U.S. terminology; in Australia and some other countries, he would be a "horse").

* '''California Chrome''': One of the more recent Triple Crown prospects, and the biggest money-winner ever among US-based horses. Not incredibly exceptional as a racer (winning the 2014 Derby and Preakness by 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 lengths, respectively), he nevertheless attracted attention because of his peculiar story, which is so "little-guy-makes-it" Hollywood couldn't have written a better piece of Americana. His owners are, in their own description, "a couple of working stiffs" who put up $10,000 to buy a modestly pedigreed mare and pay a stud fee in the hopes of getting a decent horse; by pedigree alone, he shouldn't even have been in the Kentucky Derby. But there he was, winning the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and then with a serious shot at being the first California-bred horse to with the Triple Crown... until the Belmont, when he couldn't find his top gear and finished fourth. It also helped that he has a kind of charm about him (he loves a particular kind of horse cookie and seems to like cameras). After the Preakness, went on a dry spell for much of the rest of the year, but came back to win the Grade I Hollywood Derby, giving him enough of a résumé to seal Horse of the Year honors. "Chrome" continued racing as a 4-year-old, but missed most of that year due to injury. He came back as a 5-year-old in 2016 and won the world's then-richest race, the Dubai World Cup, giving him the all-time money lead among American horses. Chrome then went unbeaten that season before being beaten by Arrogate in the Breeders' Cup Classic. It was originally planned to be his last race, but when the inaugural Pegasus World Cup was announced, Chrome's interests entered him in what will now be his finale.

* '''Kelso:''' The most successful horse that the general public has probably never heard of, given that he never competed in any of the Triple Crown races. This dark bay gelding competed in 63 races over eight years, winning 39 of them, and was racing's all-time leading money winner at the time of his retirement in 1966. He is one of only four horses to win all three races of the New York Handicap Triple (the Metropolitan Handicap, Brooklyn Handicap, and Suburban Handicap), and still holds the world record for the fastest two-mile race on dirt. He won the Horse of the Year award a record '''five''' times from 1960-1964, and was recently rated as the fourth-greatest American racehorse of the 20th Century by Blood-Horse magazine.

-->--'''Commentator Trevor Denman''', ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (who is set to be retired in January 2016 as a 6-year-old), whose bankroll at the track (over $14 million) is the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

* '''Cigar:''' Another late bloomer who, in the [[TheNineties mid-90s]], became arguably the first horse to capture the imagination of the general American sporting public since (at least) John Henry. He didn't win a stakes race until the final race of his 4-year-old season in 1994—which started a streak of 16 straight wins against top-level competition, tying the American record of Citation (below)[[note]] a record that in turn fell to the aforementioned Zenyatta[[/note]]. Cigar's record also included a win in the inaugural Dubai World Cup, now the world's richest horse race. Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996, he ended his career just shy of $10 million in earnings, an American record that eventually fell to Curlin. He proved to be infertile as a stallion, and lived at the aforementioned Hall of Champions until his death in 2014.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (who kept running through his 5-year-old season), whose bankroll at the track (over $14 million) is the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

* The Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 miles) - Belmont Park, Elmont, New York (Long Island just outside UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity) – three weeks after the Preakness

* The Kentucky Oaks (1 1/8 miles) - Churchill Downs - the Friday before the Derby. Restricted to 3-year-old fillies.

* UsefulNotes/{{Dubai}} World Cup

** Each of the three races is contested at the same distance as its US counterpart (in the same order)—but unlike the US Triple Crown races, all held on dirt, the Canadian races are held on three separate surfaces (Queen's Plate, artificial; Prince of Wales Stakes, dirt; Breeders' Stakes, turf). Also unlike their US counterparts, these are "restricted" races open only to Canadian-breds.

* The Eclipse Awards, given in late January, honor American horses which have excelled in particular categories. A horse which wins an Eclipse is a "champion."

* '''California Chrome''': One of the more recent Triple Crown prospects, and the biggest money-winner ever among US-based horses. Not incredibly exceptional as a racer (winning the 2014 Derby and Preakness by 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 lengths, respectively), he nevertheless attracted attention because of his peculiar story, which is so "little-guy-makes-it" Hollywood couldn't have written a better piece of Americana. His owners are, in their own description, "a couple of working stiffs" who put up $10,000 to buy a modestly pedigreed mare and pay a stud fee in the hopes of getting a decent horse; by pedigree alone, he shouldn't even have been in the Kentucky Derby. But there he was, winning the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and then with a serious shot at being the first California-bred horse to with the Triple Crown... until the Belmont, when he couldn't find his top gear and finished fourth. It also helped that he has a kind of charm about him (he loves a particular kind of horse cookie and seems to like cameras). After the Preakness, went on a dry spell for much of the rest of the year, but came back to win the Grade I Hollywood Derby, giving him enough of a résumé to seal Horse of the Year honors. "Chrome" continued racing as a 4-year-old, but missed most of that year due to injury. He came back as a 5-year-old in 2016 and won the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, giving him the all-time money lead among American horses, and went unbeaten that season before being beaten by Arrogate in the Breeders' Cup Classic, his final race.

In which men (mostly) wear multi-coloured outfits and see how fast they can ride equines. (Very fast, it turns out.) Historically, the three Grade I stakes races which comprise the Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred racing (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes) are the totality of public knowledge about the sport in the U.S. [[TransAtlanticEquivalent In the UK]], substitute the three races which comprise the Triple Crown of British Thoroughbred racing (the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom Derby[[note]]officially known as [[SpellMyNameWithAThe The Derby Stakes]][[/note]], and the St. Leger Stakes) plus the Grand National steeplechase race.

* '''John Henry:''' An undersized, sometimes ill-tempered gelding of modest breeding and questionable conformation, he (like Kelso before him) didn't run in any of the Triple Crown races in his 3-year-old year (1978, the year that Affirmed won the last US Triple Crown for nearly 40 years). When he was shipped off to California and trainer Ron [=McAnally=], he developed into one of the best "closers" (stretch runners) of recent decades. In 1981, he became the first (and so far only) horse ever to be unanimously selected as US Horse of the Year. Then, as ''[[BadassGrandpa a 9-year-old]]'' in 1984, he won Horse of the Year honors again. He ended his career with 39 wins out of 83 races, a North American record of 16 Grade I wins, and over $6.5 million in earnings. Also, soon after he was retired, he became the first resident of what would become the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, living there until his death in 2007.

In which men (mostly) wear multi-coloured outfits and see how fast they can ride equines. (Very fast, it turns out.) Historically, the three Grade I stakes races which comprise the Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred racing (the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes) are the totality of public knowledge about the sport.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (now racing at 5), whose bankroll at the track (over $12 million) is the greatest ever earned by a North America-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

* The Breeders' Cup World Championships - late October/early November - location rotates
** Breeders' Cup Classic (1 1/4 miles) - 3-years-old and up
** Breeders' Cup Distaff (1 1/8 miles) - 3-year-old females and up

** Breeders' Cup Juvenile - 2-year-old males
** Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies - 2-year-old females
** Breeders' Cup Sprint
** Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

** Breeders' Cup Marathon (1 1/2 miles, dirt)

** The above three races make up the British (or English) Triple Crown. The last horse to sweep the three races was Nijinsky[[note]]known in the States as Nijinsky II; when he was retired to stud in the U.S., there was already a Thoroughbred registered there under that name[[/note]] in 1970. The only horse in recent decades to even attempt a Triple Crown was Camelot in 2012, who finished second in the St. Leger after winning the 2,000 Guineas and Derby.

* '''California Chrome''': One of the more recent Triple Crown prospects, and the biggest money-winner ever among US-based horses. Not incredibly exceptional as a racer (winning the 2014 Derby and Preakness by 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 lengths, respectively), he nevertheless attracted attention because of his peculiar story, which is so "little-guy-makes-it" Hollywood couldn't have written a better piece of Americana. His owners are, in their own description, "a couple of working stiffs" who put up $10,000 to buy a modestly pedigreed mare and pay a stud fee in the hopes of getting a decent horse; by pedigree alone, he shouldn't even have been in the Kentucky Derby. But there he was, winning the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and then with a serious shot at being the first California-bred horse to with the Triple Crown... until the Belmont, when he couldn't find his top gear and finished fourth. It also helped that he has a kind of charm about him (he loves a particular kind of horse cookie and seems to like cameras). After the Preakness, went on a dry spell for much of the rest of the year, but came back to win the Grade I Hollywood Derby, giving him enough of a résumé to seal Horse of the Year honors. "Chrome" continued racing as a 4-year-old, but missed most of that year due to injury. He came back as a 5-year-old in 2016 and won the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, giving him the all-time money lead among American horses. His owners plan to retire him after the 2016 season.

* '''Forego:''' A big bay gelding who was largely an afterthought in the 1973 US Triple Crown races—yes, the same year Secretariat was blowing the field away—he came into his own after "Big Red" was retired to stud, winning Horse of the Year honors the next three years (1974–1976). Won 34 of his 57 races, including 14 Grade I races, winning at distances from 7 furlongs to 2 miles, and frequently carrying over 130 pounds.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (now racing at 5), whose bankroll at the track (over $12 million) is the greatest ever earned by any horse based outside Japan. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

Other types of horse racing include the steeplechase (racing on a turf course with regularly-spaced jumps), Quarter Horse racing (very short sprints for horses who maintain their best speed at distances of a quarter of a mile), and harness racing (Standardbred horses trotting or pacing while attached to sulkies: light vehicles in which the driver rides, and arguably the modern form of the ancient sport of chariot racing).

* Highest earnings on the track: $17.0 million (Buena Vista, a Japanese horse)

* '''Makybe Diva''': 3-time Melbourne Cup winner, one of Australia's biggest local celebrities as a result. Her name is a combination of "'''Ma'''ureen, '''Ky'''lie, '''Be'''linda, '''Di'''ane, and '''Va'''nessa", five women employed by her owner, Tony Šantić.

* '''California Chrome''': One of the more recent Triple Crown prospects, and the biggest money-winner ever among US-based horses. Not incredibly exceptional as a racer (winning the 2014 Derby and Preakness by 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 lengths, respectively), he nevertheless attracted attention because of his peculiar story, which is so "little-guy-makes-it" Hollywood couldn't have written a better piece of Americana. His owners are, in their own description, "a couple of working stiffs" who put up $10,000 to buy a modestly pedigreed mare and pay a stud fee in the hopes of getting a decent horse; by pedigree alone, he shouldn't even have been in the Kentucky Derby. But there he was, winning the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and then with a serious shot at being the first California-bred horse to with the Triple Crown... until the Belmont, when he couldn't find his top gear and finished fourth. It also helped that he has a kind of charm about him (he loves a particular kind of horse cookie and seems to like cameras). After the Preakness, went on a dry spell for much of the rest of the year, but came back to win the Grade I Hollywood Derby, giving him enough of a résumé to seal Horse of the Year honors. "Chrome" continued racing as a 4-year-old, but missed most of that year due to injury. He came back as a 5-year-old in 2016 and won the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup, giving him the all-time money lead among American horses. His connections plan to retire him after the 2016 season.

* '''Nijinsky''': A large Canada-bred bay from Northern Dancer's second crop of foals, he was trained in Ireland and won all five of his starts as a 2-year-old in 1969. The next year, he etched himself into racing history by becoming the first horse in 35 years, and the last to date, to win the British Triple Crown. During his Triple Crown run, he also won the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He then lost his last two races and was retired to stud in the U.S. at the end of that season. Nijinsky was largely responsible for establishing the international reputation of his father at stud, and became a champion sire in his own right. (Note that in the U.S., he is generally called "Nijinsky II"; he was registered in that country with the "II" because there was already an American Thoroughbred registered under that name.)

* '''Galileo''': An Irish-bred bay by Sadler's Wells out of Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea, Galileo had a short but spectacular racing career, winning the Epsom and Irish Derbies plus the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001. He became his father's successor as Coolmore's star stallion, producing over 50 individual Group 1/Grade I winners, and has been the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland every year but one since 2008. His most notable product is the undefeated Frankel (see below). Currently has the world's highest stud fee.

* '''John Henry:''' An undersized, sometimes ill-tempered gelding of modest breeding and questionable conformation, he (like Kelso before him) didn't run in any of the Triple Crown races in his 3-year-old year (1978, the year that Affirmed won the last US Triple Crown for nearly 40 years). When he was shipped off to California and trainer Ron [=McAnally=], he developed into one of the best "closers" (stretch runners) of recent decades. In 1981, he became the first (and so far only) horse ever to be unanimously selected as US Horse of the Year. Then, as ''[[BadassGrandpa a 9-year-old]]'' in 1984, he won Horse of the Year honors again. He ended his career with 39 wins out of 83 races and over $6.5 million in earnings. Also, soon after he was retired, he became the first resident of what would become the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, living there until his death in 2007.

* '''Frankel''', a British stallion who went unbeaten in his 14-race career from 2010 to 2012, including nine Group 1 wins in consecutive starts. The latter record is unsurpassed worldwide, and equaled only by Zenyatta. Equally notable for receiving the highest rating ever awarded by two separate rating organizations—the British publication ''Timeform'' (operating since 1948) and the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings Committee (which began rating horses in 1977).

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (now racing at 5), whose bankroll at the track (over $12 million) is the greatest ever earned by an American-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses in recent years to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome (now racing at 5), whose bankroll at the track (over $12 million) is the greatest ever earned by an American-based horse. Before him, the most notable US-based horses to race beyond three were two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan (justified in his case, being a gelding), Zenyatta (filly/mare tied for the longest streak of consecutive Grade I/Group 1 wins worldwide), and Curlin (whose money record "Chrome" broke).

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year is California Chrome, whose bankroll at the track (over $12 million) is the greatest ever earned by an American-based horse. Before him, Curlin (whose earnings record Chrome broke) was the most notable US-based horse to race at that age.

A frequent complaint against American Thoroughbred racing is that accomplished horses are generally retired from racing early (usually after their third year) to breed with other horses that raced well, in hopes of creating even better racehorses. The reasons are complex but generally involve a bit of financial calculus, comparing the all-but-guaranteed profits to be had on a horse (especially a stallion) in the breeding shed versus the honor and glory to be gained (at risk) on the racetrack. The most famous US-based horse of recent days to continue racing into his fourth year was Curlin, whose bankroll at the track (over ten million dollars) is the greatest ever earned by an American-based horse.

* '''California Chrome''': One of the more recent Triple Crown prospects. Not incredibly exceptional as a racer (winning the 2014 Derby and Preakness by 1-3/4 and 1-1/2 lengths, respectively), he nevertheless attracted attention because of his peculiar story, which is so "little-guy-makes-it" Hollywood couldn't have written a better piece of Americana. His owners are, in their own description, "a couple of working stiffs" who put up $10,000 to buy a modestly pedigreed mare and pay a stud fee in the hopes of getting a decent horse; by pedigree alone, he shouldn't even have been in the Kentucky Derby. But there he was, winning the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and then with a serious shot at being the first California-bred horse to with the Triple Crown... until the Belmont, when he couldn't find his top gear and finished fourth. It also helped that he has a kind of charm about him (he loves a particular kind of horse cookie and seems to like cameras). After the Preakness, went on a dry spell for much of the rest of the year, but came back to win the Grade I Hollywood Derby, giving him enough of a résumé to seal Horse of the Year honors.

** The highest honor is the "Horse of the Year" award. It is generally awarded to males, but some notable females (All Along, Busher, Azeri, Lady's Secret, Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and Havre de Grace) are on that roll[[note]]the ladies went an unheard of 3-for-3 beginning in 2009 with Rachel Alexandra, who was followed by Zenyatta (2010) and Havre de Grace (2011)[[/note]]. The incumbent Horse of the Year is California Chrome, a four-year-old colt (using U.S. terminology; in Australia and some other countries, he would be a "horse").