Sunday, December 7, 2014

Racehorse Names

As I've written previously, with the exception of very specific events, I'm not that much into sports. One thing I do enjoy is the "Triple Crown" of horse racing: The Preakness Stakes, The Belmont Stakes, and, the most famous and popular American horse race of all--The Kentucky Derby.

I usually pick my horse by whatever name I like most. And how do they get their names?

There are actually a lot of rules and regulations for the naming of thoroughbred horses. First, the name must be registered by February of the horse's second year. There are many others, including these banned names:



  •  Names consisting of more than 18 letters (spaces and punctuation marks count as letters);
  •  Names consisting entirely of initials such as C.O.D., F.O.B., etc.;
  •  Names ending in "filly," "colt," "stud," "mare," "stallion," or any similar horse-related term;
  •  Names consisting entirely of numbers. Numbers above thirty may be used if they are spelled out;
  •  Names ending with a numerical designation such as "2nd" or "3rd," whether or not such a designation is spelled out;
  •  Names of living persons unless written permission to use their name is on file with The Jockey Club; Names of persons no longer living unless approval is granted by The Jockey Club based upon a satisfactory written explanation submitted to the Registrar

This last rule is what made it possible to have a horse named after actor Tony Danza at the 2014 Kentucky Derby. 

So, here are some horse names I've come up with. 

Inocentbystander
Friendly Fire
Dr. Doc Doctor
Ms. Smith Go To KY
Lazer Sharp Mind
High Momm
Back at the Ranch
Garfield's Lazagna
French Kiss

And of course.....

Soon B Glue


The last triple crown winner----the last time one horse won all three races----was Affirmed in 1978. That makes 36 years. Will it happen in 2015? It sure would be exciting!