When betting on horse racing, you’re bound to add some catchy names to your bet slip. Indeed, naming is a vital part of the sport, and the lion’s share of race horse names comes from popular culture. Learn how film, music, literature, and even memes sneak into stables and racetracks.
The Influence of Pop Culture on Horse Naming
A horse race is a fascinating competition where owners pit their horses’ speed, stamina, and… names against the opposition. Like in product branding, every owner seeks a sweet-sounding, easy-to-remember name to grab everyone’s attention, interest, and favor.
Pop culture has always been a huge source of inspiration when it comes to choosing a name for a race horse. Names originating from books, movies, and close industries are on everyone’s lips, easier to memorize and relate to, and able to shape a positive attitude early in the game.
Stallions and mares are credited with the qualities of the characters they’re named after and deemed to continue their legacy on the racetrack. Besides instant recognition and fame, iconic namesakes can bring their equine counterparts good luck, which is much sought after in races.
Naming is particularly important in online horse racing gambling, as you’re not physically on the racecourse, and all you can see is a list of runners. So, when you bet on horse racing online, you’re likely to set your eyes — and wagers — on horses whose names are very familiar to you.
By visiting 1xBet, a leading online betting destination, you’ll witness pop culture references overflowing horse racing betting markets. Moreover, 1xBet is a must-visit for bettors looking for a broad selection of races from all over the globe, with plentiful bet types and tempting odds.
Movie-Inspired Race Horse Names
Race horse names may refer to various mass culture categories. We’ll break them down into the most widespread ones, beginning with films. Since its inception, cinema has become wildly popular and produced a myriad of race horse names after world-famous equine characters.
Films have inspired owners, providing them with a vast naming repository where they can pick a name that fits their horse’s looks and personality. Colts and fillies are named in honor of fictional and real-life heroic animals depicted in movies and TV series, like in a few examples below.
- Angus, a horse of Princess Merida, the main character in “Brave,” a Pixar animated film.
- Black Beauty, a horse from a 2020 drama based on Anna Sewell’s best-selling novel.
- Beau, a horse John Wayne rode in “True Grit” and other Western movies in the 1960s.
- Hidalgo, a mustang from the eponymous biopic about the legendary horse and his rider.
- Silver, a stallion of The Lone Ranger, a fictional character from a TV show and movie.
- Seabiscuit, a real race horse portrayed in the 2003 eponymous Oscar-nominated film.
- Tornado, a horse of the protagonist from “The Mask of Zorro” and other Zorro movies.
Apart from equine film characters, human actors also become namesakes for mounts, especially the ones starring in Westerns and similar genres. Hollywood actor and cowboy legend Roy Rogers and his loyal horse Trigger have both become great naming examples.
Music-Inspired Race Horse Names
Music is another essential component of mass culture and a wellspring of naming ideas in equestrianism. Racecourses worldwide feature runners whose names are inspired by this art form and serve as a tribute to their owners’ favorite songs, musicians, or performers.
Not only does a music-themed name reveal the owner’s musical taste and preferences, but it also mirrors the horse’s spirit and uniqueness. Pop music allows you to unleash your creativity by turning to diverse genres and their most prominent representatives, including the following:
- Beatles: This horse will steal the show, as it bears the name of the greatest band ever.
- Cash: This simple yet catchy name is after Johnny Cash, the heart and soul of country.
- Dolly: Another country music star and role model inspires names for female horses.
- Elvis: It’s a perfect name for the king of the racetrack after the King of Rock and Roll.
- Marley: This name honors the reggae icon Bob Marley and is for wild and free spirits.
- Slash: One of the all-time greatest guitarists gives his namesake tremendous energy.
- Whitney: A filly named after Whitney Houston combines elegance and spiritual strength.
Superhero and Comic Book-Inspired Names
Comic books have given rise to a plethora of superheroes and superheroines, which cannot help but inspire owners in their name-picking journey. At the end of the day, a superheroic name adds an extra layer of confidence and prestige, and supernatural abilities never hurt in a race.
Comics have long transcended books and gained enormous popularity through animated films, movies, and TV shows. So, chances are a comic-themed race horse name will readily resonate with the audience in the grandstands. Below are a few worthy names for a superhorse:
- Batman, a superhero from DC Comics whose major superpower is his intelligence.
- Black Widow, a nickname for Natasha Romanoff, Marvel’s strong female character.
- Hulk, a superhero by Marvel with green skin who possesses extreme physical vigor.
- Loki, a god from Norse mythology turned into a trickster character by Marvel Comics.
- Stark, an inventor and entrepreneur who uses special armor to transform into Iron Man.
- Thor, another Norse deity converted by Marvel into a superhero with a magic hammer.
- Wonder Girl, a moniker belonging to several superheroines who appear in DC Comics.
Literature and Book-Inspired Horse Names
Long before cinema took center stage, owners drew inspiration from literature. In fact, books still inspire race horse names since equine characters have always been in the limelight. Writers from all over the world tell stories about fictional horses who then originate real-life namesakes.
Stallions and mares are featured in children’s books, adventure fiction, fantasy novels, detective stories, and many other genres. When choosing a name for your mount, you can seek help from your beloved author. Meanwhile, here are some excellent choices from timeless literary pieces:
- Flicka, a mustang and a central figure in “My Friend Flicka,” a novel by Mary O’Hara.
- Glue-Boy, a horse from the dark fantasy series “The Dark Tower” by Stephen King.
- Gunpowder, a horse from Washington Irving’s story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
- Roach, the protagonist’s mount from “The Witcher,” a series by Andrzej Sapkowski.
- Rocinante, Don Quixote’s mount from the eponymous novel by Miguel de Cervantes.
- Shadowfax, Gandalf the White’s horse from “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien.
- Silver Blaze, a horse from Arthur Conan Doyle’s story “The Adventure of Silver Blaze.”
Celebrity and Athlete-Inspired Names
The hard-and-fast rule says you cannot name a race horse after a living celebrity — or non-celebrity — unless you obtain permission. But once you do, you can let your imagination run wild and pick a superstar to your liking, whether from the entertainment domain or sports.
Horses are named in honor of humans with outstanding achievements in cinema, music, and various sporting disciplines. Such runners are guaranteed hype if not triumph at the racecourse. The following are a few celebs who inspire race horse names and need no introduction:
- Brad Pitt
- David Beckham
- Kate Winslet
- Messi
- Mick Jagger
- Nadal
- Zidane
Pop Culture Trends and Internet Memes
With the global expansion of the Internet, a big part of modern pop culture has gone online, settling down in social media and manifesting itself in ubiquitous memes. Equestrianism has also soaked up the latest trends and, as a result, has acquired more naming suggestions.
Viral Meme-Inspired Horse Names
Viral Internet memes can not only make your day but also produce funny horse names such as:
- And I’m Worth It
- Arrrrr
- Fifty Bales of Hay
- Maythehorsebewithu
- Meme Mare
- Two In The Pink
- White Walker
Social Media Influence on Naming
Characters, images, and symbols circulating on social media suggest fresh naming ideas like:
- Bitney Spurs
- Ctrl+Zee
- Ha Ha Ha
- Harry Trotter
- Hashtag Hoof
- Shadowfaxless
- Trojan Horse
Unique and Quirky Pop Culture Names
When choosing names for their horses, some owners try to be as original as possible and come up with truly bizarre options. Extraordinary race horse names are commonly puns and other forms of wordplay with copious references to popular culture, such as the following:
- Darth Vader
- Donald Jump
- Ellen The Generous
- Kolt Kardashian
- OMG They Killed Kenny
- Spongebob Horsepant
- Ugly Betty
How to Choose the Perfect Pop Culture Name for a Race Horse
Now that you’ve seen adequate naming examples, the time has come to make a choice of your own. If you’re confused or overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, we’re at your service with handy bits of advice. Follow the checklist below to pick the ideal name for your race horse.
- Familiarize yourself with the naming requirements of the relevant registration authority.
- Consider your horse’s physical peculiarities, personality, and abilities when naming.
- Take note of your horse’s parents and other bloodlines to find a name and pay homage.
- Feel free to seek inspiration from different pop culture categories, from books to memes.
- Never fear to be bold and creative, for this is where ingenuity is very much appreciated.
- Make sure the name you’ve chosen sounds nice and is easy to call out and remember.
Conclusion
Naming is a crucial aspect of horse racing as well as equine identity. When thinking of a name, owners frequently turn to pop culture, which teems with ideas. Horse races become even more enthralling when the namesakes of famous characters and celebrities compete on the track.
