10 Best Horse Names in the 2023 Triple Crown
The Jockey Club, which is the largest horse racing organization in the United Kingdom and is responsible for the studbook in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has a number of rules when it comes to naming horses. For a horse’s name to be approved, it must not consist entirely of numbers, have more than 18 characters, or incorporate the name of any racetrack. Horses must keep their name forever from the moment they start racing, but owners can reuse horse names once a horse has turned 10 years old.
With so much naming criteria to consider, it makes sense that each year the names of horses competing in the Triple Crown get increasingly more creative. 2023 is no exception to the rule, and many of the horses competing this year have names that you’ve likely never heard anywhere else.
Mandarin Hero
Mandarin Hero is a three year-old colt from Japan who finished second in the Santa Anita Derby, and twelfth in the Kentucky Derby.
Continuar
Continuar, a three year-old colt, started his career in October 2022 in Japan at Hanshin Racecourse. Continuar's trainer ultimately pulled him from the Derby. Better luck next time!
Angel of Empire
Winner of the Arkansas Derby, Angel of Empire was in a prime position to win the Kentucky Derby, but placed in third.
Rocket Can
Rocket Can, a gray, three year-old colt, won the Holy Bull and came in second in the Fountain of Youth.
Cyclone Mischief
Cyclone Mischief, a three year-old colt, came in third in the Florida Derby as well as the Fountain of Youth.
Forte
Forte, who has one six out of seven career races, was undoubtedly a betting favorite in this year’s Kentucky Derby, but he was scratched from the race on order of a veterinarian the morning of. He's also ineligible to run in the Preakness.
Tapit Trice
Despite the fact that Tapit Trice lost the first race of his career, he had since become undefeated, winning the following four races. He finished in seventh place in the Kentucky Derby.
Skinner
Skinner was one of the strongest horses leading up to the Kentucky Derby, but he was unfortunately scratched from the Derby due to an elevated temperature.
Verifying
Verifying, son of Triple Crown winner Justify, began his career at the age of 2 in a race at Saratoga, and most recently the horse placed second in the Blue Grass Stakes. He got sixteenth in Kentucky.
Kingsbarns
Kingsbarns is undefeated in the three races that he’s run to date, despite sitting in third or fourth position early in the race. He finished 14th at the Kentucky Derby.
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