Cross Breeds

who was the greatest race horse and why?

I'm curious to see peoples opinion on who they think is or was the greatest race horse and why they think so we have had a few greats over time and just wanted to know what people thought was the best.

Public Comments

1. i really don't follow racing. but i know that man o' war was good, and i'm pretty sure that filly, ruffian was too. maybe this is something i should look into ! LOL.
2. I think seabiscuit because he showed the whole usa that there is something to believe in when the road is rough
3. I think it is Secretariat.She won the Belmont Stakes 31 lengths ahead of her nearest challenger and ran the Kentucky Derby in less than a minute and was the first filly to win it. Went from being last to being first in the Preakness Stakes. She won 16 out of his 21 career races with 3 seconds and 1 third.
4. That is a real poser! There have been may good racehorses bred in the USA but, I do not think it shows then as true athletes as they always race on the flat, and in one direction. So, for the greatest I would look at horses that had won the UK triple crown which tests them running in both directions and with the Derby, up and down hills and around corners. So, I would go for Nijinsky (sired by Northern Dancer) not only a great horse but also a great sire of winners, sires and brood mares. As for jump racing, there are several who have made a recent mark. Possibly one of the best was Red Rum, he raced as a 2 year old. Went to run in hurdles and then over fences. He won the Grand National twice, came second twice (beaten by the weight he had to carry) and then returned to win it a third time. Not many horses run the National five times let alone be placed every time. What is more, he was not a sound horse as he had pedalostitis. In his retirement he was opening supermarkets and loved all the attention. When he was finally euthanised he was buried alongside the winning post at Aintree and there is a statue to his memory there. ADD ON Interestingly (or not!) Secritariat, who was very impressive, and Nijinsky, both had an Italian bred horse Nearco in ther pedigree. When all the to do was going on with horses breaking legs racing, several sites were put up saying that it was down to breeding and the Nearco line. With both the above horses, racing and beating the best around at that time and remaining sound, seems to state that the line was sound!
5. In my opinion it was Secretariat. He set 2 official track records (Derby and Belmont) and 1 unofficial track record (Preakness) in the triple crown races that all still hold. Come on, 31 lengths is pretty darn impressive at 1 1/2 miles without being pushed at all!!
6. Secretariat. Definitely the greatest horse to ever race. Regret. First filly to win Kentucky Derby, broke a huge barrier with that. Ruffian. Nothing to say, except, I'd probably rank her number one. There will never be a horse as great as she is. I have no doubt that if she had lived longer, she would have won every race available to her. Her greatness will never be beaten.
7. Seattle Slew he won the triple crown in 1977. (Kentucky derby, belmont stakes, and church hill downs).
8. Man O' War, id say. he was pretty much the first truly legendary american racehorses. plus: -he only lost one race and by 1/2 a length(to a horse named Upset lol) -he won his first race by 6 lengths -he set numerous records -he won one race by over 100 lengths(and that record STILL stands) -he easily beat triple crown winner Sir Barton -he was handicapped up to almost 140 lbs and still won -his blood was in both Seabiscuit AND War Admiral -he wasnt drugged like many modern horses EDIT: why does everyone hate Man O' War?!