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The 7 Greatest Racehorses in History... And How They Changed the Sport Forever

Last updated July 16, 2025 by Brad Heath

Horse racing has thrilled fans for centuries, but only a handful of horses reach true legendary status. These equine athletes weren’t just fast, they were unforgettable, each one reshaping the sport in their own way. In this updated ranking of the greatest racehorses of all time, we’ll discover what made them icons… and how their legacy still shapes the care and transport of elite horses today.

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#7: Kelso — The Underdog Who Ruled the Track

Kelso Racehorse

Fast Facts:

Born: April 4, 1957
Sex: Gelding
Color: Dark Bay
Trainer: Dr. John Lee
Pedigree: Your Host x Maid of Flight (Man O’ War damsire)

Career Highlights:

39 wins out of 63 starts
11 consecutive wins in 1960–61
5-time Horse of the Year
Set 9 track records
Set world record for 2 miles

Iconic Win: Jockey Club Gold Cup (5 consecutive years)

Did You Know? Kelso retired as the highest money earner in U.S. history—without ever running in the Triple Crown.

Modern Transport Insight: A horse like Kelso, compact, consistent, and high-earning, would require a smooth-riding trailer with vibration-dampening flooring and SafeTack® walk-off access for frequent hauls.

#6: Black Caviar — The Undefeated Australian Queen

Fast Facts:

Born: August 18, 2006
Sex: Mare
Color: Dark Bay
Trainer: Peter Moody
Pedigree: Bel Esprit x Helsinge

Career Highlights:

Perfect 25-0 record
Won 15 Group I races
3-time Australian Horse of the Year
First non-European to win European Champion Sprinter

Iconic Win: 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (GBR)

Did You Know? Black Caviar was so dominant that some international races had few challengers willing to enter.

Modern Transport Insight: Traveling internationally would demand premium insulation, a feature found in our SafeBump®-roofed trailers

#5: Zenyatta — The Dancing Queen of American Racing

Fast Facts:

Born: April 1, 2004
Sex: Mare
Color: Dark Bay/Brown
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Pedigree: Street Cry x Vertigineux

Career Highlights:

First mare to win the Breeders Cup Classic
American Horse of the Year
Won 19 of 20 races
3x Champion Older Female Horse

Iconic Win: 2009 Breeders Cup Classic

Did You Know? Zenyatta was known for her signature pre-race prance—a calm, dancing warm-up that thrilled fans.

Modern Transport Insight: Standing over 17 hands and weighing over 1,200 lbs, Zenyatta would require a custom-fit trailer with extended height and wide stall spacing—our specialty.

#4: Dr. Fager — The Club-Footed Speed Demon

Fast Facts:

Born: April 6, 1964
Sex: Stallion
Color: Bay
Trainer: John A. Nerud
Pedigree: Rough'n Tumble x Aspidistra

Career Highlights:

Set American and world records in 1968
Only horse to win 4 titles in a single year
Inducted into Racing Hall of Fame in 1971

Iconic Win: 1968 Washington Park Handicap

Did You Know? Dr. Fager overcame a club foot to become one of the fastest horses in U.S. racing history.

Legacy Impact: His raw speed and pedigree shaped modern American sprinting bloodlines.

#3: Citation — The Reluctant Rival

Fast Facts:

Born: April 11, 1945
Sex: Stallion
Color: Bay
Trainer: Ben A. Jones
Pedigree: Bull Lea x Hydroplane II

Career Highlights:

1948 Triple Crown winner
First U.S. racehorse to earn over $1 million
Won 16 consecutive races
Named Champion 2-year-old, 3-year-old, and Older Male Horse

Iconic Win: 1948 Triple Crown

Did You Know? Citation was so dominant, horses often scratched to avoid racing against him.

Legacy Impact: Citation’s bloodline helped shape hardier, late-maturing Thoroughbreds still respected in today’s breeding programs.

#2: Secretariat — The Icon with the Giant Heart

Fast Facts:

Born: March 30, 1970
Sex: Stallion
Color: Chestnut
Trainer: Lucien Laurin
Pedigree: Bold Ruler x Somethingroyal

Career Highlights:

1973 Triple Crown winner
Holds fastest times for all three Triple Crown races
Named Horse of the Year (1972, 1973)
Still holds the Belmont Stakes speed record (2:24)

Iconic Win: 1973 Belmont Stakes (won by 31 lengths)

Did You Know? Secretariat’s heart weighed 2.5x the average—a literal giant heart.

Modern Transport Insight: A horse like Secretariat would benefit from safety features such as Rumber flooring, low-rattle partitions, and climate-controlled airflow to support cardiac health and leg recovery during long hauls.

#1: Man O' War — The Greatest of Them All

Fast Facts:

Born: March 29, 1917
Sex: Stallion
Color: Chestnut
Trainer: Louis Feustel
Pedigree: Fair Play x Mahubah

Career Highlights:

Won 20 of 21 races
16 stakes victories
Set 3 world records
American Horse of the Year

Iconic Win: 1920 Belmont Stakes (carried 138 lbs and won)

Did You Know? Man O’ War’s influence shaped generations of American racehorse pedigrees.

Legacy Impact: Man O’ War sired War Admiral and is present in many elite pedigrees, including Secretariat.

Man O' War vs Secretariat: Who Was Better?

Secretariat may be the most famous, but Man O’ War faced harsher conditions such as steel shoes, heavier loads, rougher tracks; and still dominated. Many historians consider Man O’ War the true GOAT.

Famous Racehorses in Pop Culture

These horses didn’t just break records, they became icons:

Secretariat starred in a Disney film and graced magazine covers.
Seabiscuit (honorable mention) was featured in an Oscar-nominated movie.
Zenyatta was honored with a Breyer model and appeared in national ads.
Man O’ War is immortalized in statues across the U.S.

Their legacy continues to inspire both fans and horse owners alike.

What Does It Cost to Own a Racehorse?

Breed: Thoroughbreds dominate elite racing
Price Range: $10,000 to $300,000+, with some champions valued at millions
Secretariat Syndication: $6.08M (a record in his time)

Want help transporting a six-figure investment?
Explore our SafeTack® trailers built for elite horses.

Transporting Champions: How Racehorses Travel Safely

From climate control to emergency exits, transporting elite horses isn’t just about the trailer — it’s about peace of mind. That’s why Double D Trailers are trusted by pros who haul million-dollar horses.

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