Are any Thoroughbred's names retired?

Question

What are the rules for naming your racehorse?

Answer 1

Man O War, Secretariat, Seabiscuit, etc. are retired. Here are the rules: http://horseracing.about.com/od/breeding...

Answer 2

The names of horses that win major races are protected so can never be used again, eg Seattle Slew, Nashwan, Red Rum.

The name must be a maximum of 18 characters (including spaces and numbers) and cannot be anything that can be deemed offensive or likely to call confusion - eg you cannot call a horse Photo Finish.

Names come up for use again about 5 - 10 years after the death of the original horse.

However, it is possible to have two horses with the same name at the same time if they were born in different countries.  For example their are currently two mares called Gossamer, one born in USA and the other in GB.

If you want to name a horse after a person you need their written permission, or if they are dead, the permission of their estate.

Answer 3

Certain horse's names (Secretariat, Ruffian, Man O' War, etc.) are permanently retired and can never be used again.

After a horse has been retired, you can apply to use that name again after a period of 10 years.

Answer 4

I have never heard of names being retired. I do know that you can not use the same name twice. Call the Jockey Club and they can answer your questions. You can also go to the Jockey Club web site

Answer 5

Here are the Jockey Club (US)'s rules for naming a horse.  Names that are permanently retired are discussed in section 15

F. The following classes of names are not eligible for use:

1. Names consisting of more than 18 letters (spaces and punctuation marks count as letters);

2. Initials such as C.O.D., F.O.B., etc.;

3. Names ending in "filly," "colt," "stud," "mare," "stallion," or any similar horse-related term;

4. Names consisting entirely of numbers. Numbers above thirty may be used if they are spelled out.

5. Names ending with a numerical designation such as "2nd" or "3rd," whether or not such a designation is spelled out;

6. Names of persons unless written permission to use their name is on file with The Jockey Club;

7. Names of "famous" people no longer living unless approval is granted by the Board of Stewards of The Jockey Club;

8. Names of "notorious" people;

9. Names of racetracks or graded stakes races;

10. Recorded names such as assumed names or stable names;

11. Names clearly having commercial significance, such as trade names;

12. Copyrighted material, titles of books, plays, motion pictures, popular songs, etc., unless the applicant furnishes The Jockey Club with proof that the copyright has been abandoned or that such material has not been used within the last five years;

13. Names that are suggestive or have a vulgar or obscene meaning; names considered in poor taste; or names that may be offensive to religious, political or ethnic groups.

14. Names that are currently active either in the stud or on the turf, and names similar in spelling or pronunciation to such names, see 6(E);

15. Permanent names and names similar in spelling or pronunciation to permanent names. The list of criteria to establish a permanent name is as follows:

a. Horses in racing's Hall of Fame;

b. Horses that have been voted Horse of the Year;

c. Horses that have won an Eclipse Award;

d. Horses that have won a Sovereign Award (Canadian Champions);

e. Annual leading sire and broodmare sire by progeny earnings;

f. Cumulative money winners of $2 million or more;

g. Horses that have won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes, The Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Breeders' Cup Classic or the Breeders' Cup Turf; and

h. Horses included in the International List of Protected Names.

G. In addition to the provisions of this Rule 6, the Registrar of The Jockey Club reserves the right of approval on all name claiming requests.

Answer 6

no more than 18 characters long counting space ummm you are supposed to use mom and dads names to help show lineage for example a horse out of seattle slew and ruffian maybe Ruff seattle surf  after ten years you can reuse the name that is ten years after th horse is no longer registered in the jockey club names can be refused if they are inappropriate and of courrse no famouse names like ruffian seattle sle northern dancer you gothope this helped

Answer 7

A name can be up to 18 characters including spaces long.  They are usually named after one or both parents to show their linage but it is not required.  If a horse dies you must wait 10 years before reusing that name.  Names like Ruffian, Seabiscuit, Man O War which are deceased famous race horses are permanently retired and cannot be reused. As long as the name is not something inappropriate it can be used as long as there is not another horse registered with the same name.  The Jockey Club has the right to refuse a name if they feel it is inappropriate.

Answer 8

The actual name of a horse is only one part of its offical identity the other being the suffix which states where the horse was breed i.e. Secretariat (USA). The current ruling regarding the naming of horses is an informal agreement between the various racing governing bodies across the world, whereby they have agreed that the winners of a specific list of races for example; The Derby, The Arc, The Kentucky Derby etc, shall have there names retired.

However in theory should for example, Wetherby's (the administrators of Britain's governing body of racing the HRA) agree to the naming of a British breed horse call Secretariat (GB) they have the right to do so. But, as I said there is an informal agreement for this not to happen so the chances are most unlikely.

Answer 9

A name can be used again if II is added.  There was a Kentucky Derby winner in the late 60's or early 70's (I forget which) named Canonero II.

However, I suppose a name could be granted trademark protection, but I'm not sure of this.