100 Famous Horse Names in History (Racehorse & Celebrity)

Welcome to an exhilarating journey through the annals of horse legends!

Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, a lover of historic tales, or simply captivated by majestic creatures, this list will trot you through the captivating stories of the most renowned horses in history.

From the thundering hooves of racehorses that have shattered records to the noble steeds that have shaped battles and legends, each story is a testament to the remarkable bond between humans and horses.

Get ready to meet famous horse names that have galloped into the hearts of many, leaving a legacy of speed, grace, and unforgettable victories.

We’ll explore their origins, their triumphs, and the indelible marks they’ve left on the world. Are you ready to saddle up and ride through the legacy of these iconic steeds?

Let’s gallop ahead and embark on this epic journey through time, celebrating the famous horses that have become synonymous with courage, strength, and elegance!

20 Famous Horse Names

Secretariat – An American Thoroughbred racehorse that won the Triple Crown in 1973, known for setting records that still stand today.
Man o’ War – An American Thoroughbred racehorse considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time, dominating the early 20th century.
Seabiscuit – A champion Thoroughbred racehorse in the United States, an underdog whose success captivated the nation during the Great Depression.
War Admiral – The 1937 Triple Crown winner and a fierce competitor of Seabiscuit.
Citation – The first horse to win over a million dollars in earnings and the 1948 Triple Crown winner.
Phar Lap – An Australian racehorse regarded as one of the greatest racehorses, known for his winning streak during the Great Depression.
American Pharoah – The 2015 Triple Crown winner, who also clinched the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same year.
Zenyatta – An American Thoroughbred who won 19 of 20 starts, becoming one of the most beloved racehorses in recent history.
Ruffian – A champion filly whose tragic breakdown during a race against Foolish Pleasure captivated and saddened many fans.
Black Caviar – An Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won all 25 of her races, setting a record for consecutive wins.
Red Rum – A steeplechase horse who won the Grand National three times in the 1970s, a feat unmatched to this day.
Frankel – A British Thoroughbred racehorse who retired undefeated, earning acclaim as one of the best racehorses of the modern era.
John Henry – An American Thoroughbred who earned over $6 million in prize money, known for his remarkable career longevity.
Affirmed – The 1978 Triple Crown winner known for his rivalry with Alydar.
Kelso – An American racehorse who was the only horse to be awarded Horse of the Year five times.
Violet – A famous horse from history noted for her association with Queen Victoria.
Trigger – Roy Rogers’ Golden Palomino, a celebrity horse that appeared in numerous movies and TV shows alongside the cowboy star.
Bucephalus – The renowned horse of Alexander the Great, celebrated for his loyalty and bravery in battle.
Shadowfax – The fictional horse ridden by Gandalf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” series, known for his intelligence and speed.
Silver – The Lone Ranger’s horse, an iconic figure in American popular culture.

20 Famous Celebrity Horse Names

Trigger – Roy Rogers’ Golden Palomino, a star of movies and TV shows.
Silver – The trusty steed of the Lone Ranger, known for his valiant charges.
Bucephalus – Alexander the Great’s loyal and fearless war horse.
Flicka – The horse from the beloved book and movie “My Friend Flicka.”
Champion – Gene Autry’s horse, who appeared in many Western films.
Scout – Tonto’s loyal pinto horse from “The Lone Ranger.”
Black Beauty – The titular character from Anna Sewell’s classic novel.
Pie – James Stewart’s horse from the movie “The Man from Laramie.”
Hidalgo – The mustang ridden by Frank Hopkins in the eponymous movie.
Shadowfax – Gandalf’s majestic horse from “The Lord of the Rings.”
Topper – Hopalong Cassidy’s white and dependable companion.
Sport – Matt Dillon’s horse from the TV show “Gunsmoke.”
Cochise – The decorated mount of Michael Landon’s character, Little Joe, from “Bonanza.”
Jubilee – Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite horse, known for his elegance and poise.
Buttermilk – Dale Evans’ buckskin Quarter Horse and star in Western series.
Gypsy – Paint horse ridden by John Wayne in several of his movies.
Cisco – Kevin Costner’s loyal horse in the acclaimed film “Dances with Wolves.”
Luke – Mel Brooks’ horse in the comedy “Blazing Saddles.”
Champ – The horse of Warner Bros.’ cartoon character Yosemite Sam.
Falada – The talking horse from the fairy tale “The Goose Girl” by the Brothers Grimm.

Famous White Horse Names

White Abarrio – An American Thoroughbred racehorse known for his striking white coat and impressive performances on the track.
Snowman – A celebrated show jumping horse, known for being rescued from a slaughterhouse and becoming a champion.
The Gray Ghost – The nickname for Native Dancer, an outstanding Thoroughbred racehorse, which was actually gray but notable for his lighter coat.
Milky Way – A fictional white horse from various children’s books and stories, recognized for its magical and mythical attributes.
Silver – The world-famous white horse of the Lone Ranger, celebrated for his unwavering loyalty and bravery in countless adventures.
Shadowfax – Gandalf’s noble steed from “The Lord of the Rings,” known for his intelligence, speed, and pearly white coat.
Topper – Hopalong Cassidy’s reliable white horse, known for his appearances in numerous Western movies and TV shows.
Sport – The trusted white horse of Matt Dillon in the TV series “Gunsmoke,” noted for his calm demeanor and reliability.
Traveler – The white steed of Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War, known for his endurance and grace under pressure.
Pegasus – The mythical winged white horse from Greek mythology, symbolizing wisdom, fame, and inspiration.

Famous Black Horse Names

Black Caviar – An Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved legendary status by winning all 25 of her races, becoming a national icon.
Black Beauty – The beloved and enduring equine character from Anna Sewell’s classic novel, who has been a symbol of animal welfare.
Midnight – The famous black horse of cowboy and rodeo star Monte Montana, known for his role in Western shows.
Stormy Weather – A notable American racehorse renowned for his ebony coat and incredible speed on the track.
Black Jack – The last Quartermaster-issued U.S. Army horse, who famously carried the riderless boots in the funeral processions of Presidents Kennedy, Hoover, and Johnson, as well as General MacArthur.
Thunder – The black Arabian horse who serves as the spirited mascot for the Denver Broncos, performing at home football games and events.
Jet Black Pearl – A renowned dressage horse, celebrated for his striking appearance and majestic performance in competitions.
Black Tulip – A Friesian horse known for its stunning black coat and elegance in equestrian events.
Sleddale Black Beauty – A famous Fell Pony stallion, known for his contributions to the breed and his striking jet-black appearance.
Raven – The trusted mount of Zorro in “The Legend of Zorro”, known for his sleek black coat and agility.

Famous Mare Names

Zenyatta – An American Thoroughbred racehorse known for her outstanding racing career, which included 19 wins out of 20 starts.
Ruffian – Legendary for her unbeaten streak until her fatal match race, Ruffian is remembered as one of the greatest fillies in American horse racing.
Rachel Alexandra – The first filly to win the Preakness Stakes since 1924, celebrated for her incredible speed and agility.
Goldikova – A French Thoroughbred mare who became a three-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, a feat unmatched by any other horse.
Black Caviar – An undefeated Australian Thoroughbred mare who won all 25 of her races, becoming a national treasure.
Makybe Diva – The only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times consecutively, making her a legend in Australian racing.
Man o’ War’s Lady – Known for her distinguished lineage and contribution to Thoroughbred breeding.
Sunline – A New Zealand Thoroughbred who collected numerous prestigious titles, including two Cox Plate victories.
Winning Colors – One of only three fillies to have won the Kentucky Derby, making her a notable figure in horse racing history.
Kincsem – A Hungarian Thoroughbred racehorse who retired undefeated after 54 races, marking her as one of the most successful racehorses of all time.
Lady’s Secret – The American Thoroughbred mare known as the “Iron Lady” for her consistent performance, winning 25 of her 45 races.
Fio Rito – A notable mare who made a mark in the horse racing industry with her impressive performances and contributions to breeding.
Eight Belles – Remembered for her runner-up finish in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, tragically euthanized after fracturing both front ankles.
Pepper’s Pride – Achieved national attention by winning all 19 of her career starts, setting a North American record.
Mosie – The grey mare ridden by Elizabeth Taylor in the classic film “National Velvet,” known for its significance in equestrian cinema.
Treve – A French Thoroughbred mare, celebrated for winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice consecutively.
Motel Mouse – A Michigan-bred mare renowned for her record-breaking performances on local tracks.
Miesque – Known for her success on both sides of the Atlantic, including two wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Chorwon – An elite mare known for her exceptional racing career and influence as a broodmare.
Rags to Riches – The first filly in over a century to win the Belmont Stakes, earning a place in racing history.

Famous War Horse Names

Bucephalus – The legendary steed of Alexander the Great, known for his courage and loyalty in battle.
Marengo – The famous war horse of Napoleon Bonaparte, celebrated for his endurance and role in many of Napoleon’s significant campaigns.
Copenhagen – The Duke of Wellington’s trusty horse, who carried him during the Battle of Waterloo and became renowned for his stamina.
Traveller – The esteemed mount of Confederate General Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War, admired for his resilience and calm demeanor.
Chetak – The heroic horse of Maharana Pratap, a Rajput king of Mewar, who is remembered for his bravery in the Battle of Haldighati.
Comanche – The horse who survived the Battle of the Little Bighorn, famously associated with the 7th Cavalry Regiment and known for his incredible resilience.
Sirr Launcelot – The horse of Scottish knight Sir William Wallace, renowned for his role in the battles against English forces.
Warrior – Often referred to as “The horse the Germans couldn’t kill,” he was the loyal companion of General Jack Seely in World War I and became an icon of survival and bravery.
Kasztanka – The favored horse of Poland’s Marshal Józef Piłsudski during World War I, noted for her loyalty and significance in Polish history.
Reckless – A Korean War horse who served with the U.S. Marine Corps, renowned for her fearless service during battle and awarded several military honors for her bravery.
Sergeant York – Another notable war horse from World War I, famed for his contributions to the war efforts and named after the famed American hero Alvin C. York.
Nelson – One of General George Washington’s favorite horses, known for carrying him during the American Revolutionary War.
Sampson – The horse of Lord Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War; remembered for his stamina and strength.
Baldy – Major General George Meade’s horse noted for his role in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
Little Texas – The steed of General Ulysses S. Grant during the Civil War, remembered for his role in pivotal battles.

Famous Rare Horse Names

Eclipse – An 18th-century British Thoroughbred who remained undefeated in 18 races, considered to have laid the foundation for modern racing bloodlines.
Seabiscuit – A small, seemingly underdog racehorse who became an American icon during the Great Depression, known for his inspiring comeback story.
Secretariat – Often dubbed the greatest racehorse of all time, Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973 with record-breaking times that still stand.
Phar Lap – An Australian racehorse who became a symbol of hope during the Great Depression, winning numerous prestigious races.
Frankel – A British Thoroughbred considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time, retiring undefeated after 14 races.
Arkle – A famous Irish steeplechase horse celebrated for his incredible performances in major National Hunt races during the 1960s.
Northern Dancer – A Canadian-bred Thoroughbred who not only won the Kentucky Derby but also became one of the most successful sires in horse racing history.
Desert Orchid – Affectionately known as ‘Dessie,’ this grey steeplechase horse became a national hero in the UK, winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup among other high-profile races.
Black Beauty – While a fictional character from Anna Sewell’s novel, Black Beauty has become an enduring symbol of the bond between horses and humans.
Trigger – The reliable palomino ridden by cowboy star Roy Rogers, Trigger became one of the most famous celebrity horses of the mid-20th century.
Silver – Known as the Lone Ranger’s majestic white horse, Silver became a cultural icon in the American Old West genre.
Bamboo Harvester – Known for playing the title character in the television series “Mister Ed,” this horse became a television celebrity in the 1960s.
Champion the Wonder Horse – The horse of western star Gene Autry, Champion appeared in numerous films and television shows.
Pegasus – While mythological, the winged horse Pegasus has had a lasting legacy in literature and art, symbolizing freedom and inspiration.
Sunshine – The horse used by Queen Elizabeth II for parades and ceremonies, Sunshine held a special place in British royal traditions.

Conclusion

From legendary war horses to renowned race champions, these celebrated equines have left indelible marks on history and culture.

Their tales of courage, endurance, and triumph continue to inspire and captivate us. Now it’s your turn—who’s your favorite horse from our list? Do you have a personal favorite not mentioned here?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation about these magnificent animals that have galloped through the pages of history and into our hearts.

Let their legacies remind us of the extraordinary bond between humans and horses, a bond that transcends time and continues to gallop forward with zeal and spirit!