Legends

all in Legends

Once upon a time, a long time ago, there were Thoroughbreds that could carry heavy weight assignments, set multiple track records, run 16 to 20 times a year … then come back the next year, and the next year, and do it all again.

In the modern world of horse racing – an era in which the connections of champion racehorses carefully pick their spots and rarely race more often than once a month – it can be incredible to reflect on the careers of true “iron horses” like Discovery.

Monomoy Girl, Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Sol Kumin, Eclipse Sportswire

Dual Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Monomoy Girl: Fighter, Competitor, Champion

Known for her consistency, grit, and unmatched will to win, Monomoy Girl captured the hearts of racing fans around the world. Her 10 graded stakes wins, including seven Grade 1s, not only solidified her status as one of the greatest female racehorses of her generation but also added a crowning achievement to an already illustrious career.

Sandy Hawley is one of the most talented jockeys in horse racing history despite never winning a Triple Crown race.

Sandy Hawley: Overnight Sensation, Lasting Legend

In the sport of horse racing, a great deal of emphasis is placed on winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, the three races that comprise the coveted U.S. Triple Crown.

Almost as much attention is paid to the Breeders’ Cup, the 14-race extravaganza that serves as the year-end championship of U.S. horse racing.

Ouija Board, Frankie Dettori, Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, America's Best Racing, horse racing, ABR

A True International Superstar of the Turf: Breeders’ Cup Legend Ouija Board

In 2024, nearly 17,000 Thoroughbreds were born in North America, while England and Ireland welcomed a little more than 13,000 foals. Of those, less than half will win a race in their lifetime, while approximately 3% will win a stakes, and an even smaller percentage, less than 1%, will win a graded stakes. Imagine the odds of an English classic and Breeders’ Cup victor foaling a Derby winner who then sires classic and Breeders’ Cup winners of his own?

Racing, Hall of Fame, Museum, induction, honors, honorees, inductees, John Shirreffs, Zenyatta, Christophe Clement, trainer, Miguel Clement, Kona Gold, Headley, Gulch, Brant, Claiborne Farm, Hancock, Widener, Juddmonte, ABR

Racing Hall of Fame Class 2026 Celebrated, Remembered

With the relatively recent deaths of two of this year’s Racing Hall of Fame contemporary selections, trainers John Shirreffs and Christophe Clement, the 2026 induction ceremony Aug. 7 proved to be an emotional day in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

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