World-Famous Horses That Have Millions Of Fans (The Most Beloved Horses In History)
Humans and horses have long shared a deep bond, with horses serving as essential companions in travel, work, warfare, and sport throughout history. It's no surprise that many horses—both real and fictional—have become legends. From champion racers and brave war mounts to beloved TV stars and animated favorites, these extraordinary horses have left a lasting mark. Whether known from history, literature, or the screen, here’s a glimpse at some of the most iconic horses ever. How many do you recognize?
Red Rum, Who Never Fell During 100 Races
Red Rum stands among the greatest racehorses ever. This thoroughbred steeplechaser captured the Grand National title three times—in 1973, 1974, and 1977. For those unfamiliar, the Grand National is considered one of the toughest horse races in the world.
Despite the challenge, Red Rum consistently triumphed thanks to his exceptional jumping skills and impressively never fell in 100 races. His passing at the age of 30 made headlines across the globe.
Marengo, Napoleon's Courageous War Horse
Marengo is a famous warhorse often featured in historical paintings. He was owned by Napoleon I of France and was named after the Battle of Marengo in 1800, where he bravely carried Napoleon to safety.
This grey Arabian horse was brought over from Egypt and endured eight battle wounds, surviving them all. Today, Marengo's skeleton is exhibited at the Household Cavalry Museum.
Renegade, The Mascot Of The Florida Seminoles
Renegade serves as the mascot for the Florida State University Seminoles. This striking Appaloosa horse is one of two mascots, the other being Osceola, the historic 19th-century Seminole leader.
Since its debut in 1978, six horses have taken on the role of Renegade, accompanied by 17 riders portraying Osceola. Renegade is a familiar sight to many Floridians.
Trigger, "The Smartest Horse in the Movies"
Initially called Golden Cloud, Trigger was Roy Rogers's famous palomino horse. Rogers rode him in numerous Western films from the late 1930s through the early 1950s.
Known as "The Smartest Horse in the Movies," Trigger earned this nickname thanks to his calm nature and remarkable intelligence. Beyond the screen, he regularly visited hospitals and shelters to lift the spirits of those in need.
Thunder, The Denver Broncos's Mascot
Denver Broncos fans are familiar with Thunder, the team's official mascot. The first Thunder was a purebred Arabian named JB Kobask. Since then, two other grey Arabians have carried the Thunder name. Interestingly, Broncos supporters consider it a sign of good luck if a fan from the opposing team gets to pet Thunder.
American Pharoah, A Modern-Day Marvel
American Pharoah is one of the most popular modern-day racehorses. In 2015, he won all four of the American Triple Crown and was the first horse to win the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing.
American Pharoah only competed in 2014 and 2015, but he managed to win multiple awards in that time. When he won American Horse of the Year, the vote was unanimous.
Sergeant Reckless, The Only Horse Member Of The U.S. Marines
Sergeant Reckless was a Mongolian horse who worked with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. She is the only decorated horse to hold a rank within the Marines.
Sergeant Reckless had the same freedoms as a soldier. She was allowed to freely roam the camp, entire others' tents, and would eat almost everything from chips to Coke.
Blueskin, Who Fought In The American Revolution
Although you may not have heard of Blueskin, you've likely seen him before. Blueskin was George Washington's half-Arabian grey horse, which he is often seen riding in paintings.
Blueskin witnessed much of the American Revolutionary War. After the war, he retired and lived at Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon. Washington's other main horse was Nelson, but he is not depicted in most artworks.
Potoooooooo, The Best Racehorse Of The 1700s
Potoooooooo, also spelled as Pot-8-Os, was one of the best racehorses of the 18th century. He won over 30 races and defeated some of the best competitors at the time.
You might be wondering about his strange name. According to owner Willoughby Bertie, the fourth Earl of Abingdon, he wanted to name the horse Potato. But the stableboy misheard that Pot plus eight O's.
Misty of Chincoteague, The Real Horse Behind The Book
Marguerite Henry's children's book, Misty of Chincoteague, chronicles the Beebe family as they work to raise a foal named Misty. The novel was inspired by a real Chincoteague Pony of the same name.
Marguerite Henry purchased Misty as a weanling in 1946. She published her novel the next year, which immortalized Misty and put her in the hearts of many.
Bucephalus, Alexander The Great's Steed
Alexander the Great's horse, Bucephalus, is one of the most well-known horses from antiquity. He was described as a massive black horse with a star on his brow.
Historians believe that Bucephalus was a Akhal Teke, a breed which still exists today. Bucephalus carried Alexander through many battles, but he died during the Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BC.
The Pie, The Horse From National Velvet
According to the Library of Congress, National Velvet (1944) was one of the most "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" movies of the 20th century. Many might recognize Velvet's horse, "The Pie."
The film was based on a 1935 novel by the same name. In the movie, The Pie was portrayed by a thoroughbred named King Charles.
Shergar, The Racehorse Who Vanished
Shergar is one of the most well-known racehorses in Ireland, having competed in the late '70s and early '80s. Shergar is famous for not only his successful career but for what happened afterward.
In 1983, Shergar was kidnapped. His captors demanded £2 million in ransom. When it was not paid, Shergar was never seen again.
Mister Ed, The Horse Behind The Screen
If you watched CBS in the 1960s, you probably remember Mister Ed, the beloved sitcom about a talking horse with a witty personality, voiced by Allan Lane. What's less known is that the real horse behind the character was named Bamboo Harvester.
Born in Los Angeles, Bamboo Harvester was a gelding who brought Mister Ed to life on screen. Unfortunately, after the series wrapped up, he developed age-related health problems and passed away in 1970.
Spanky And Her Co-Performer, Dally The Dog
When members of Rother Horsemanship purchased the miniature horse Spanky, she was hostile to both humans and animals. But after a few years, she became more docile and started performing tricks.
Spanky later befriended a Jack Russell Terrier, Dally. The two compete together, have their own book, and have appeared on popular shows such as the David Letterman Show.
Nearco, The Undefeated Sire Of Many Racehorses
Nearco, the Italian thoroughbred racehorse, was one of the greatest racehorses of all time. Between 1937 and 1938, he won 14 1000 m to 3000 m races, making him undefeated.
Nearco also sired some of the best racehorses in Europe. This includes Arkle, Ireland's most famous horse, and Frankel, a famous British racing horse.
Black Beauty, And The Inspiration Behind Him
Although Black Beauty was a fictional character, he has become one of the most beloved horses in literary history. Featured in Anna Sewell's classic novel Black Beauty, the story ranks among the best-selling books of all time and still touches readers across generations and cultures.
The inspiration for Black Beauty came from Sewell’s own horse, Bess, known for her lively nature and deep connection with the family. To Sewell, Bess was far more than just a horse—she was a treasured friend and companion.
Traveller, Robert E. Lee's Famous Warhorse
Traveller belonged to Robert E. Lee, the most famous general of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. This grey American Saddlebred became famous for his speed and courage.
Traveller outlived his owner by one month and trailed Lee's casket during the funeral. He later died of tetanus. Traveller's bones were displayed at Washington and Lee University.
Seabiscuit, One Of America's Most Famous Racehorses
Seabiscuit stands as one of the most legendary racehorses in American history. This exceptional Thoroughbred captured the nation's attention in the 1940s, with his defining moment coming in 1938 when he defeated War Admiral, a former Triple Crown winner.
Amid the challenges of the Great Depression, Seabiscuit became a beacon of determination and hope for countless Americans. His uplifting journey has been immortalized in several books and films over the years.
Burmese, Queen Elizabeth's Horse Of 17 Years
The beautiful black horse Burmese was a gift to Queen Elizabeth II. This Police Service Horse belonged to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who gave it to the queen in 1969.
For 17 years, Queen Elizabeth rode Burmese during the Trooping the Colour. Burmese later retired and lived the rest of her life at Windsor Castle.
Secretariat, Who Still Holds Several World Records
Secretariat, also called Big Red, competed as a racehorse in the early 1970s. To this day, he maintains the fastest time records in all three races of the American Triple Crown.
Widely regarded as one of the world's best racehorses, Secretariat was second only to Man O'War. He won five Eclipse Awards and was syndicated for a record-breaking $6.08 million (which is $35.4 million in 2020).
Spirit, The Real Horse Behind The DreamWorks Movie
While the DreamWorks film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron feels like pure fiction, its lead character was actually inspired by a real Kiger mustang named Spirit.
To bring the animation to life with authenticity, the filmmakers spent hours watching the real horse, carefully observing his behavior and movement. After the movie's release, Spirit was moved to Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Sanctuary, where he now enjoys a peaceful and well-cared-for life.
Man O'War, One Of The World's Greatest Racehorses
Man O' War is widely celebrated as one of the greatest racehorses in American history. Beginning his stellar career just after World War I, he dominated the track by winning 20 out of 21 races, amassing earnings equal to about $3.2 million today.
In 1920, The New York Times honored his remarkable talent, comparing him to sports legends like Babe Ruth. Decades later, multiple publications have continued to rank him as the top American racehorse of the 20th century.
