Just like on the football pitch or basketball court, when it comes to racetrack, certain horses make such a mark on the sport that their legacies live on forever. In this article, we’re going to look at three incredible racehorses that people still talk about to this day!
Secretariat
Secretariat was incredibly speedy and powerful and looked undefeatable on the racetrack. This chestnut colt achieved legendary status by winning the Triple Crown in 1973. Secretariat set a Derby record when he covered the 1 1/4-mile distance in just 1:59 2/5, no horse has touched this record since! Secretariat then followed up his Kentucky Derby win by easily cruising to victory at the Preakness Stakes. No horse could match his acceleration down the stretch as he won by 2 1/2 lengths. Secretariat then did the unthinkable and won by 31 lengths. Secretariat set the Belmont Stakes track record at 2:24 and the record for the largest margin of victory.
Known as “Big Red,” his heart was found to be nearly twice the size of an average horse’s heart during an autopsy, a physical anomaly that many believe contributed to his extraordinary racing domination. Who knows if we will ever see another horse who could match Secretariat! The colt had such a big impact on horse racing and even beyond, inspiring games like Slingo Racing for real money. In this horse racing casino game, you select one of three horses before the game begins and collect multipliers as you roar around the track.
Horse racing and impressive equine athletes have had such an impact on the culture that books, games and TV shows continue to be made about the sport. This ensures the legacies of great horses like Secretariat live on forever.
Man o’ War: The Legend of the Turf
Man o’ War is often regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of the 20th century. Man o’ War won the Belmont Stakes in 1920 by a huge 20 lengths, a record margin that stood until Secretariat’s historic victory in 1973. At the Kenilworth Park Gold Cup in 1920, Man o’ War crushed the Canadian champion, Sir Barton and proved he could win abroad.
Man o’ War was famed for his regal appearance, and his commanding presence garnered widespread attention. Many of the top racehorses are descended from Man o’ War. He is considered one of the most successful stud horses of all time.
Phar Lap
Phar Lap from New Zealand gave the world hope during the Great Depression. Born in 1926, this Phar Lap rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most beloved and successful racehorses of all time. He became a superstar after winning the Melbourne Cup in 1930. The gelding then put a stamp on his career at the Underwood Stakes in 1931. Phar Lap finished his career with over $6 million in career earnings and showed how a horse with health problems could defy the odds and achieve greatness.
Even though horse racing has seen hundreds of thousands of impressive equine athletes throughout the years, none have made such an impact on the sport as Secretariat, Man o’ War, and Phar Lap. If you want to see horse racing at its finest, then definitely check out the Kentucky Derby 1973, boy, could Secretariat run!
