4 Of The Greatest Racehorses In Recent History

Horse racing has been around for millennia in many different forms. There was chariot racing in ancient Greece and the Roman and Byzantine empires, while mounted horse racing was also popular among the Greeks and Romans during this time. Riderless horse racing was a thing during the spring carnival in Rome from the mid-15th century up until the late 19th century. Later on, thoroughbred racing became the most popular version of horse racing and remains so to this day. Here is a list of the greatest thoroughbreds of recent times.

Secretariat (USA)

Also known as Big Red, this champion American thoroughbred racehorse was a powerhouse in the racing world. He won the Triple Crown in 1973 which consisted of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. There have been many honors bestowed upon him including being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1974. He sadly died in 1989 when a debilitating hoof condition became untreatable. However, he remains to this day one of the greatest racehorses to have ever lived.

Winx (Australia)

This Australian mare foaled in 2011 has become a recent legend among the horse racing community. She retired in 2019 after four years of racing and racked up a considerable amount of racing awards. Among the many wins she has had, she won the W.S. Cox Plate and George Ryder Stakes four times in a row and the Turnbull Stakes twice. Winx was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2017, being only one of three horses to receive this recognition while still in training. The Warwick Stakes was renamed in 2018 to the Winx Stakes to honor this champion horse.

Phar Lap (NZ)

This New Zealand bred champion is part of the Australian culture when it comes to horse racing. He was foaled in 1926 in Timaru, New Zealand but was trained in Australia. Once he got the training he needed he won nearly every event he competed in which, if he ran today, would be among the top 2021 Melbourne Cup bets without a doubt. In fact, he did win the Melbourne Cup in 1930. Among other races, he won the Cox plate in 1930 and 1931 and the Victoria Derby in 1929. He is one of only two racehorses, along with Makybe Diva, to have a statue of him at Flemington Racecourse which is partly due to his prowess and stamina during the great depression which gave people hope during those trying times.

Makybe Diva (Australia)

Another Australian champion thoroughbred mare, Makybe Diva is the only horse so far to win the Melbourne Cup three times. She has also won the Sydney Cup, the Australian Cup, the Turnbull Stakes and the W.S. Cox Plate. She was named Australian Racehorse of the year in 2005 and 2006 as well as Australian Champion Stayer in 2004, 2005 and 2006. This bay racehorse has earned over $14,500,000 in winnings over her career and was retired in 2019 and was commemorated in 2006 with a statue at Flemington Racecourse for her three-time wins at the Melbourne Cup. She was also inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2006 and has had five foals in her time, served by champion sires such as Galileo and Fusaichi Pegasus so be on the lookout for their future progress.