A number of people have asked me how you name a thoroughbred racehorse. The simple answer is, it’s complicated! The easy part is coming up with a name you want to use. The hard part is adhering to the naming rules and conventions used by The Jockey Club. The Jockey Club is the organization responsible for reviewing, approving and registering names submitted for thoroughbred horses.
The process begins with sending The Jockey Club the names you desire to use in your order of preference. Names are approved based upon availability and compliance with naming rules. The following classes of names are not eligible for use:
– Foreign language names unless accompanied by an English translation
– Made up names with no apparent meaning unless accompanied by an explanation
– Names consisting of more than 18 letters (spaces and punctuation marks count as letters)
– Names consisting entirely of initials (e.g. C.O.D.)
– Names consisting entirely of numbers
– Names ending with a numeric designation (e.g. 2nd or 3rd)
– Names of living persons unless written permission to use their name is on file with The Jockey Club (e.g. Bob Edwards)
– Names of racetracks
– Names that are suggestive or have a vulgar or obscene meaning
– Names considered in poor taste
– Horses in the Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame
– Horses that have been voted Horse of the Year
– Horses that have earned $2 million or more while racing
– Horses that have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, The Jockey Club Gold Cup, The Breeders Cup Classic or The Breeders Cup Turf
In addition to these rules and several others, The Jockey Club reserves the right of approval on all name requests!
We recently submitted names for our (Woodford Racing) six horses and they were approved. The name of each horse is below with the sire/father and broodmare/mother of each horse in parentheses:
Campaign – (Curlin – Arania)
Debating – (Giant’s Causeway – Spunoutofcontrol)
Gatlinburg – (Uncle Mo – Greenback Forest)
Hot Springs – (Uncle Mo – Magical Victory)
New Mexico – (Speightstown – Night and Day)
Orbiting- (Orb – Nicky’s Way)
2017 is just around the corner, let the fun begin!
Gatlinburg – (Uncle Mo – Greenback Forest)
Hot Springs – (Uncle Mo – Magical Victory)
Campaign – (Curlin – Arania)
Debating – (Giant’s Causeway – Spunoutofcontrol)
New Mexico – (Speightstown – Night and Day)
Orbiting- (Orb – Nicky’s Way)