{"id":965,"date":"2022-06-11T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-11T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/?p=965"},"modified":"2022-06-06T17:31:07","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T17:31:07","slug":"who-are-the-best-racehorses-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehorsesguide.com\/who-are-the-best-racehorses-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Are The Best Racehorses Of ALL Time?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you wonder who the best racehorses of all time are, we have the answers. We’ll explore the history of horse racing and take a look at the greatest horses to ever compete in this ancient and revered sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the world. According to historical records, the first horse race took place in 4500 BC in central Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sport gradually spread to other parts of the world, and by the 18th century, it had become a popular pastime in England. Horse racing quickly became a popular spectator sport, and today, people enjoy the sport all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The greatest racehorses in history thrilled spectators and left a lasting legacy. Famous racehorse names like Secretariat, Man o’ War, and Citation are synonymous with greatness. These horses were not only fast, but they were also stylish and graceful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They captured the imaginations of racing fans and set a standard for excellence that has yet to be matched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, who are the most famous racehorses of all time? Let’s take a look at the greatest racehorses in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Greatest Racehorses in History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There have been many great racehorses in history, but only a few cut above the rest. These are the horses that thrilled spectators, won multiple races, and left a lasting legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most famous racehorses have won the Triple Crown, which is a series of three races that includes the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winning all three races is a rare feat. Only 13 horses have ever won the Triple Crown, and the last horse to accomplish this feat was Justify in 2018. Among the greatest horseraces of all time, Triple Crown winners stand out as the best of the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most famous triple crown winners include Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed. We’ll take a closer look at these horses later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is the Fastest Horse in History?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Racing enthusiasts will have no trouble naming the greatest racehorse of all time. That title goes to Winning Brew, who holds the record for the fastest time at the Penn National Race Course, Pennsylvania, USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2008, Winning Brew ran the two-furlong 402 meters (0.4 kilometers) course at an astonishing time of 20.57 seconds. That’s an average speed of 43.97 miles per hour (70.76 kilometers per hour)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To put that in perspective, the fastest human runners can only reach speeds of around 28 miles per hour (45 kilometers per hour). Winning Brew is truly in a class of his own. Read our article and find out How Fast Can Horses Run?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Winning Brew holds the record for the fastest horserace, Secretariat holds the record for the fastest time in the Kentucky Derby. In 1973, Secretariat ran the one and a quarter-mile (2 kilometers) race in a time of 1:59.40.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s an average speed of 37.58 miles per hour (60.40 kilometers per hour). Once again, Secretariat proved that he was in a class of his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are just some of the most famous racing horses in history. We’ll take a closer look at these horses, and others, later on.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Brown<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The Best Racehorses of All Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There have been many great racehorses in history, but only a few have truly left their mark on the sport. The table below lists the greatest racehorses of all time, based on their accomplishments and legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name of Horse<\/td>Gender<\/td>Color of the Horse<\/td>Racing Years<\/td>Record<\/td><\/tr>
Black Caviar<\/td>Filly<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>2009 to 2013<\/td>25-0<\/td><\/tr>
Citation<\/td>Stallion<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>1947 to 1951<\/td>32-10-2<\/td><\/tr>
Dr. Fager<\/td>Stallion<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>1966 to 1968<\/td>18-2-1<\/td><\/tr>
Eclipse<\/td>Stallion<\/strong><\/td>Chestnut<\/em><\/td>1769 to 1770<\/td>18-0<\/td><\/tr>
Kelso<\/td>Gelding<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>1959 to 1966<\/td>39-12-2<\/td><\/tr>
Kincsem<\/td>Filly<\/strong><\/td>Chestnut<\/em><\/td>1876 to 1880<\/td>54-0<\/td><\/tr>
Man O’ War<\/td>Stallion<\/strong><\/td>Chestnut<\/em><\/td>1919 to 1921<\/td>21-1-0<\/td><\/tr>
Ruffian<\/td>Filly<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>1974 to 1975<\/td>10-0-0 (1DNF)<\/td><\/tr>
Seattle Slew<\/td>Stallion<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>1976 to 1978<\/td>14-2-0<\/td><\/tr>
Secretariat<\/td>Stallion<\/strong><\/td>Chestnut<\/em><\/td>1972 to 1973<\/td>16-3-1<\/td><\/tr>
Zenyatta<\/td>Filly<\/strong><\/td>Bay<\/em><\/td>2007 to 2010<\/td>19-1-0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our Top 10 Greatest Racehorses of All Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a closer look at the most famous and accomplished racehorses in history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Caviar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Arguably the greatest racehorse in Australian history, Black Caviar set multiple records during her career. She retired with a perfect record of 25-0 and won 15 Group I races, an Australian record equivalent to the American stakes races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reasons Why Black Caviar is One of the Greatest Racehorses<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Some of Black Caviar’s most impressive accomplishments include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • 25-0 win-loss record<\/li>
  • 15 Group I wins, an Australian record<\/li>
  • The first horse to win the European Champion Sprinter’s title outside of Europe<\/li>
  • Won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, a premier race in Europe<\/li>
  • The majority of wins (60%) were Grade I races, the highest level of horse racing<\/li>
  • Broke the track record at the Lightning Stakes, a record that stood for 25 years<\/li>
  • Won the 2011 Newmarket Handicap, considered the toughest and most prestigious handicap race in Australia<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The Black Caviar story is one of hard work, determination, and natural talent. She was a champion on the track and captured the hearts of racing fans around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Citation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Coming in at number two on our list is Citation, one of the most successful racehorses of all time. Citation was the crown jewel of the great Calumet Farms stable and won an astonishing 32 of his 45 races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    He was the first horse to ever win one million dollars in prize money and is a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reasons Why Citation is One of the Greatest Racehorses<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Some of the reasons we believe Citation is one of the greatest racehorses of all time include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Won an astonishing 32 of his 45 races<\/li>
    • First horse to ever win one million dollars in prize money<\/li>
    • Won the Triple Crown, becoming the eighth horse in history to do so<\/li>
    • Won 19 of 20 race starts as a three-year-old, an amazing feat<\/li>
    • Won the Arlington Classic, one of the most prestigious races in America<\/li>
    • Won the first running of the Hollywood Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious races in America<\/li>
    • In 1948, he was named Horse of the Year, an honor bestowed upon the best horse in America<\/li>
    • In 1951, Citation won the Older Male Horse of the Year<\/li>
    • Male Handicap Horse champion<\/li>
    • At the age of two, Citation won his first five starts<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Dr. Fager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Dr. Fager is a bit of an enigma on our list. While he only raced for three years, he was truly a great horse. He set multiple world records and was named Horse of the Year in 1968.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Reasons Why Dr. Fager is One of the Greatest Racehorses<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

      Dr. Fager’s accomplishments include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n