Above: The great race mare Winx, immortalised in a movie, a name that will never be forgotten (image: Racenet)
When A Name Becomes A Story by Charl Pretorius
Long before a thoroughbred carries a saddlecloth, it carries a name, often borrowed from a memory, a loved one, a celebrity, a private joke, a world event or a lifelong dream. In the picking of a name, the horse becomes personal. The simple question of what to name a horse carries a world of sentiment, superstition, humour and hope.
Across the globe, naming conventions reflect culture as much as pedigree. In Europe, breeding giants like Coolmore favour names that echo history and heritage — Galileo, Churchill, Dylan Thomas, Los Angeles, City Of Troy, Australia, and other figures or nations whose resonance extends beyond the racetrack. In the United States, names often emphasise strength and distinction, with champions like American Pharoah, Gun Runner, Flightline, and California Chrome.
Read the Full Story here: OFF THE RECORD #102
