This Fourth of July, many of us will go about our traditions of spending time with family, barbecuing, watching fireworks, and celebrating America. Over the years, many horse owners have paid tribute to the U.S. and Independence Day through the names of their racehorses. We decided to put together a list of some of the most patriotic horse names in American racing.

Thank you to everyone who sent in some of their favorite patriotic horse names via Twitter.

The youngest Fourth of July racehorse. (Robin Buchanan photo)

Fourth of July: According to Equibase, seven Thoroughbreds and two Quarter Horses have carried this name. The first record of a racehorse named Fourth of July was a horse born in 1941. He raced 41 times and won on seven occasions, earning $8,305. The most recently-named Fourth of July was the son of a mare named Dixie Holiday. He last raced in December of 2017 and also won seven, earning a much larger career bankroll of $172,646.

American Patriot: Three Thoroughbreds have been named the most patriotic of all patriotic American names. WinStar Farm’s American Patriot retired in October 2017 as a two-time graded stakes winner, having captured the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland and the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park. He made his first graded stakes start in the Grade 2 American Turf Stakes in 2016.

Owesaycanyousee: This daughter of horses named Proud Citizen and Owe got the most appropriately patriotic name anyone could've come up with. Well done!

American Anthem: On the topic of the national anthem, this horse was also owned in partnership by WinStar farm and ran through the end of last year. In 21 career starts, he earned more than $840,000 and won three graded stakes.

Starspangledbanner: While you might have suspected that someone must have thought to name a horse after Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner,” you might be surprised to know that this horse was bred in Australia and only raced in the U.S. once. You can read more about him by clicking here.

Fireworks: The last four horses named after America’s favorite Fourth of July tradition weren’t exactly explosive on the racetrack. Their combined record was 1 win from 21 starts.

Red White and Blue: This quintessentially American name has been given to several racehorses, the best of whom was born in 1974 and raced until 1981. He was the son of another very accomplished racehorse with another very patriotic name: Hoist the Flag.

Sweetlandofliberty: His mother’s name is Freedom Reigns and this patriotic-sounding racehorse truly turned into what we’d call a “war horse.” He was certainly battle-tested, having started in an incredible 139 races. He’d spent the past five years racing at Camarero Racetrack in Puerto Rico until hurricanes ravaged the racing community there last year. Thanks to the help of the Exceller Fund and Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Sweetlandofliberty was rescued. You can find out more about him here.

Other Unforgettably American and Patriotic Horse Names

Liberty’s Thunder

Americanize

Victory U. S. A.

George Washington

American Freedom

Uncle Sam

Home of the Brave

Halo America

Normandy Invasion

American Pastime

Paul Revere

Your America

Gettysburg

War Admiral

Salute the Sarge

American Gal

Washington DC

Freedom Child

Wave the Flag

Dixie Union

V. E. Day

Mr. America

Battle of Midway

Union Rags

American Flag

General Patton

Storm the Hill

Constitution

U S Navy Flag

** This feature was originally posted in 2019 and has been updated **