250+ Best Derby Horse Names: Unique and Inspiring Ideas!

Are you looking for the perfect name for your new racehorse? Check out our list of the best derby horse names! We’ve got unique and inspiring options to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional name or something more creative, these names will help your horse stand out from the pack.

Read on for a compilation of some of our favorite options for derby horse names.

Also Check: Good Buckskin Horse Names

81 Best Derby Horse Names for Your Racehorse

Derby Day [1] is the most exciting day of the year in Kentucky. It’s a day to gather together and celebrate these magnificent animals, which make us so proud.

There are several traditions associated with the Kentucky Derby.

One of these is the naming of the racehorses.

black derby horse jumping under title  Derby Horse Names

The process for choosing a name is often long and arduous, but it’s worth it to find the perfect moniker for your horse.

If you’re looking for some inspiration when it comes to picking out a name for your derby horse, look no further.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Kentucky Derby horse names to help you get started.

  1. Amethyst
  2. Aster
  3. Bailey
  4. Barley
  5. Big Mama
  6. Blacksmith
  7. Blazer
  8. Bolt
  9. Bronco
  10. Buck
  11. Buckeye
  12. Butterscotch
  13. Carolina
  14. Cherish
  15. Clover
  16. Clydesdale
  17. Colonel
  18. Colorado
  19. Colt
  20. Connecticut
  21. Daisy
  22. Deputy
  23. Diesel
  24. Eleanor
  25. Ellie
  26. Franklin
  27. Gypsy
  28. Hayley
  29. Hollyhock
  30. Horseshoe
  31. Ironclad
  32. Jasmine
  33. Jockey
  34. Juliet
  35. Jupiter
  36. Kennedy
  37. Kentucky
  38. King
  39. Ladybird
  40. Lincoln
  41. Lucky
  42. Magnolia
  43. Marigold
  44. Marmalade
  45. Meadow
  46. Midsummer
  47. Molly
  48. Morgan
  49. Mustang Sally
  50. Nightmare
  51. Nutmeg
  52. Officer
  53. Peanut
  54. Pearl
  55. Pecos
  56. Piper
  57. President
  58. Quarterback
  59. Ridgeline
  60. River
  61. Rosette
  62. Rushmore
  63. Sadie
  64. Sapphire
  65. Sassy
  66. Sheriff
  67. Shoelace
  68. Skydancer
  69. Steeltoe
  70. Strawberry
  71. Tank
  72. Temperance
  73. Tennessee
  74. Texas
  75. Trigger
  76. Velvet
  77. Washington
  78. Wilbur
  79. Willow
  80. Wisteria
  81. Wrangler

Here’s quick video of some derby horse names.

@yahoosports Taking a look at the best #KentuckyDerby horse names. #horse #horseracing #derby #sports ♬ Fanfare welcomes the finale – SOUND BANK

ALSO CHECK: Kentucky Derby Horse Names 2023

33 Best Kentucky Derby Horse Names

Like with people, some names seem to fit horses better than others. Look no further if you’re looking for the best Kentucky Derby horse names. Here are my absolute favorite derby names.

  1. American Pharoah
  2. Apollo
  3. Assault
  4. Barbaro
  5. Big Brown
  6. Buchanan
  7. Canonero II
  8. Citation
  9. Cloud Computing
  10. Digital Age
  11. Elwood
  12. Exterminator
  13. Flying Ebony
  14. Gallant Fox
  15. Grindstone
  16. His Eminence
  17. Jet Pilot
  18. Joe Cotton
  19. Judge Himes
  20. Lieut. Gibson
  21. Lord Murphy
  22. Omaha
  23. Seattle Slew
  24. Secretariat
  25. Sir Barton
  26. Stone Street
  27. Twenty Grand
  28. Tyson Fury
  29. Unbridled
  30. War Admiral
  31. War Emblem
  32. Whirlaway
  33. Wintergreen

Watch this video of the 2021 Kentucky Derby!

16 Kentucky Derby Winners Names

Throughout the Kentucky Derby’s 143-year history, over 2,000 horses have raced for the roses. And their names have been nothing short of exciting, alluring, and fun.

  1. Boundless – Third Place (1893)
  2. Bold Venture – Winner (1936)
  3. War Admiral – Winner (1937)
  4. Damascus – Third Place (1967)
  5. Majestic Prince – Winner (1969)
  6. Riva Ridge – Winner (1972)
  7. Seattle Slew – Winner (1977)
  8. Spectacular Bid – Winner (1979)
  9. Risen Star – Winner (1988)
  10. Sunday Silence – Winner (1989)
  11. Empire Maker – Second Place (1993)
  12. Silver Charm – Winner (1997)
  13. Charismatic – WInner (1999)
  14. American Pharoah – WInner (2015)
  15. Gun Runner – Winner (2016)
  16. Always Dreaming – Winner (2017)
@equestrian969 #fyp #horse #horses #horses4life #horsesontiktok #usequestrian #equestrian #kentuckyderby #horseracing #horsesport #thoroughbreds #history #2020 #race ♬ original sound – equestrian969

56 Funny Kentucky Derby Horse Names

Are you looking for a laugh? Check out our list of funny Kentucky Derby [2] horse names! These names are sure to get you giggling.

  1. Barely Legal (1982 and 1989)
  2. Bet on Me
  3. Bodacious Tatas (1985)
  4. Brangelina (2005)
  5. Busted
  6. Call the Trainer
  7. Comeback Kid
  8. Curse Reversed (2004)
  9. Dancing Shoes
  10. Derby Darling
  11. Down by Law
  12. Early Riser
  13. Eighteencharacters (2002)
  14. False Sires
  15. Fifty Shades of Bay
  16. Final Finisher
  17. Forget Me Not
  18. Gimmie a Kiss
  19. Going to the Dogs
  20. Hay Burner
  21. Hot to Trot
  22. Hot Rod Charlie
  23. I’m So Confused
  24. In It to Win It
  25. Junkinthetrunk (2000)
  26. Left at the Gate
  27. Lewinsky (1996)
  28. Lone Ranger
  29. Longshot
  30. Lost in the Fog
  31. Lov Guv (2006)
  32. Lucky in Love
  33. Mane Event
  34. Mookie’s Runnin (2006)
  35. No Chance
  36. Nosupeforyou (1998)
  37. Number One Fan
  38. Odor in the Court (1996)
  39. Off to the Races
  40. Paint the Town Red
  41. Panty Raid (2007)
  42. Party at My Place
  43. Party Time!
  44. Paycheck Pony Up Press On regardless
  45. Pimpin Ain’t Easy
  46. Race for the Roses
  47. Rapunzel’s Hairdo
  48. Riding Miss Daisy (2004)
  49. Running
  50. Slumpbuster (2006)
  51. That’s Whatshesaid (2007)
  52. Turducken (2000)
  53. Walk of Shame (1991)
  54. Whatamichoppedliver (the 1970s)
  55. Where’s the Beef (2008)
  56. You’re My Boy Blue (2005)

59 Kentucky Derby Worst Horse Names

As much as most of the names are awesome and unique, there are a few black sheep that are considered some of the worst derby names. Check them out.

  1. Wool Sandal
  2. Wind of the North
  3. Whatsthescript
  4. Watermelon
  5. Watermelon
  6. Ugly Bug
  7. Tswhatimtalkinbou
  8. Trick Me Twice
  9. Tonto’s Spirit
  10. The Greek Warrior
  11. The Clown
  12. Temptress
  13. T V Commercial
  14. Sweetnorthernsaint
  15. Super Saver
  16. Steamin’ Hot
  17. Soup and Sandwich
  18. Snuzzle
  19. Sir Daniel
  20. Shut Up
  21. Shawklit Won
  22. Ruh Roh
  23. Quasimodo
  24. One Lucky Dude
  25. My Man Sam
  26. Mubtaahij
  27. Mr. Bones
  28. Materiality
  29. Lost Cause
  30. Lord Nelson
  31. Lil E. Tee
  32. Lani
  33. Kitten’s Joy
  34. Killer Diller
  35. Jaklin Klugman
  36. Jack’s Back
  37. Itsaknockout
  38. Itsaknockout
  39. International Star
  40. Inflated Ego
  41. I’m a Billionaire
  42. High Cotton
  43. Hedge Fund
  44. Green Alligator
  45. Governor Charlie
  46. Got the Blues Again
  47. Goldencents
  48. Get Down Mary
  49. Geauxinonice
  50. Gatch
  51. Free Drop Billy
  52. Firing Line
  53. Far from Over
  54. El Kabeir
  55. Dullahan
  56. Dit
  57. Daddy Nose Best
  58. Black Servant
  59. Big Truck

Top 20 Horse Derby Names

Here are the top 20 contenders for 2022’s derby.

@lifezizgoodz Can you name them? #kentuckyderby #horseracing ♬ Countdown – Official Sound Studio
  1. Epicenter
  2. Un Ojo
  3. Smile Happy
  4. Ethereal Road
  5. Barber Road
  6. Classic Causeway
  7. Pappacap
  8. Zandon
  9. White Abarrio
  10. Mo Donegal
  11. Rattle N Roll
  12. Make It Big
  13. Slow Down Andy
  14. Major General
  15. Dash Attack
  16. Early Voting
  17. Call Me Midnight,
  18. Courvoisier
  19. Kavod
  20. Commandperformance

In Conclusion,

There are many great Kentucky Derby horse names to choose from. Whether you are looking for a winner, a funny name, or a unique and inspiring option, there is sure to be a perfect fit for you!

We hope you have enjoyed our list of the best Kentucky Derby horse names. Thanks for reading!

A horse in a race with the equestrian rider

What are your favorite derby horse names? Please share below!

Resources

  • 1. Kentucky Derby: Physiologically Training the Racehorse [Internet]. Equine Science. [cited 2022 Feb 28]. Available from: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/kentucky-derby-physiologically-training-racehorse
  • 2. Artificial Intelligence and The Kentucky Derby : Networks Course blog for INFO 2040/CS 2850/Econ 2040/SOC 2090 [Internet]. [cited 2022 Feb 28]. Available from: https://blogs.cornell.edu/info2040/2017/12/01/artificial-intelligence-and-the-kentucky-derby/
Andreea J.
Andreea J.

Andreea is a very passionate content creator and her purpose is to provide you with the most interesting articles, while constantly discovering new facts. She’s been freelance writing for the past five years and has created numerous articles and educational materials while managing her own mom blog.
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