Why are race horse names so weird?

Now, although 18 characters may seem like plenty, another rule handed down by The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities that makes picking a name just a tad more difficult is that no two horses currently racing can have the same name.

Can race horses have the same name?

For one, no horse can have the same name as another horse currently racing. In fact, a breeding female horse a broodmare) holds exclusive rights to her name until she turns 30, or 10 years after the horse’s death. Names can’t be too lengthy, with a limit of 18 characters and seven syllables.

Are race horse names copyrighted?

It can’t be longer than 18 letters and can’t include initials. It also can’t feature a copyrighted term. Horses can’t have the name of a real person unless the horse’s owner has written authorization to use the name. The same rule applies to naming horses after famous people.

Can racehorse names be reused?

Names cannot be reused until five years after the horse has left racing and breeding.

Can you reuse a race horse name?

Names cannot be reserved. a. A name cannot be repeated for 17 years after the birth of a horse with the exact same name or for 20 years after the year of birth of the youngest named produce of a horse with the same name (as per AR 42(1) and (2)).

Why do racehorses have such weird names?

To conclude though, the reason racehorses tend to have such weird names is largely due to strict regulations handed down by the highest authorities in horseracing, which necessitate owners getting, shall we say, creative when coming up with a unique and memorable name.

What are some of the most memorable names in horseracing?

Let’s look at some of the more memorable names in horseracing. Lineage names are horse names referencing their pedigree in the title. I like these names best: Inside Information, the offspring of a stallion called Private Account and a mare called Pure Profit, Sticky G.I. is a foal by Lost Soldier and out of SuperGlued.

Can you change the name of a racehorse?

Racehorse names can be changed so long as your horse has not ever started a race, and the new name meets the initial requirements. Everyone wants a good name for their racehorse. A name that will stand out and be significant, but because of the limitations outlined in the rules, naming a horse has become a form of art.

Why do people name their horses after people?

And some owners will name a horse because of his personality. John Henry had a habit of roughly tearing up his metal feed and water buckets, so his owner named him after John Henr y, the famous steel-driving man who worked on the railroad. Horses can also be named after people.