Cross Breeds

How are names for race horses determined?

I know they must be a certain number of letters. Also, I doubt one can take the name of another horse, past or present. Is there a database or such where one can determine a name?

Public Comments

1. To look up a name: https://www.registry.jockeyclub.com/tjc/registry.cfm?page=namesrch&rand=813&init=&CFID=38645590&CFTOKEN=76829941 Recently released names: https://www.registry.jockeyclub.com/tjc/registry.cfm?page=releasedNames&CFID=38645590&CFTOKEN=76829941 The rules: http://www.thejockeyclub.com/registry.asp?section=3#six Only one horse can use a name at a time, and the horse must have been retired from racing and breeding for a certain period of time. Some names are retired permanently for winners of certain races and honors, or for historical significance. These are indicated by (P) after the name, for example "Secretariat (P)" These rules are for North American horses.
2. you pick a name yourself and hope it is not already taken
3. I guess its the same as greyhounds and that is you select half a dozen names and submit them, they remove any that have been in use for around 20 years or so, probably longer for horses, then they select one and let you know :)
4. I think a lot of them were named on a whim or some special meaning known only to the owner(s), and I bet some were named just to see how different a name they could find. Then, they just had to make sure it fit according to the rules. I don't know if there is a database where one could go get help finding a name but I would think so with all the other things a person can find on the Internet now.
5. Owners select a name, it cannot be any longer than 16 letters, including spaces, they apply for that name and it is either accepted or refused. No two horses can have the same name in whatever country they were born in. You might get the same name from USA and UK as they were registered in different countries but if "Fred' is registered in USA but racing in the UK where there is also a "Fred" he will become "Fred 1 (USA) Certain names from horses that have not won a significant amount of money racing, will be open for use about twenty years after they have died. Horses that have won famous races will never have their names re-used.