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15 Famous Horses in History

Around 3,000 BCE, humans domesticated horses, and ever since, they have been one of our most trusted companions in work, conflict, travel, and amusement. There have been quite a few standouts during the many thousands of years and millions of horses coexisting with humankind. 

The stories of a select few extraordinary horses have endured the test of time, whether it be because of their speed, power, intelligence, or even just their excellent looks or loyalty. The following list of 12 horse celebrities includes everything from popular television stars of the 20th century to horses that lived in ancient times and whose stories still exist today.

1. Bucephalus

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Bucephalus, Alexander the Great’s mount, is maybe the most well-known horse in history. Once thought to be impossible to tame, Bucephalus was bought by 13-year-old Alexander the Great who gained his trust by speaking softly to him and “moving him away from the sun” so that he was no longer startled by his own shadow.

As a brave warhorse, Bucephalus later fought alongside Alexander the Great in wars. According to one historical account, Bucephalus passed away at the age of 30, but according to other accounts, he died at the age of nine from wounds he received during the Battle of the Hydaspes.

2. Godolphin Arabian

Few horses are as steeped in folklore as the Godolphin Arabian, but there is scant proof to support the claims that he was found pulling a water cart through the streets of Paris, that he was used as a teaser, or that he engaged in a dramatic stallion duel with Hobgoblin over the lovely but erratic mare Roxana.

Little details are known about his ancestry. He was brought to England in 1729 by Mr Edward Coke, a man with close ties to the Duke of Lorraine in particular. The history of the Belgrade Turk also includes the Duke of Lorraine, who would ultimately become Germany’s Emperor Francis I. The Belgrade Turk was bought from the Duke by Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, Edward Coke’s brother-in-law, who then transported him to England. 

3. Blueskin and Nelson

Without even knowing it, you’ve probably seen paintings of Blueskin and Nelson. The first president of the United States and the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, George Washington, was a skilled rider and a committed equestrian. Throughout the Revolution, he mainly rode two horses: Nelson, a large chestnut gelding, and Blueskin, a grey Arab X.

In 1773, Washington received Blueskin as a present. Because of his stunning coat and the striking colours of the blue uniform Washington wore, painters and artists liked to portray Washington seated on Blueskin. Washington required a horse that was brave in the face of danger since the Revolution was in full force in 1779. Nelson was his company from that point on till his death at the age of 27 in 1790.

4. Marengo 

Napoleon I rode a horse named Marengo, a 14.1-hand Arabian who is well-known worldwide. Over his career, this courageous horse suffered at least 8 wounds. He was well-known as a quick, stable, and reliable ride and could gallop 80 miles in five hours. During the Battle of Waterloo, he was taken by an English baron and retired to the UK, where he remained until he was 38 years old.

5. Copenhagen

Although he began his racing career with some measure of success, the 15-hand Thoroughbred/Arabien cross was later sold to the Duke of Wellington. He won his new owner’s approval quickly, but he is best known for serving as the Duke’s horse in several conflicts, including the Battle of Waterloo (he may have seen Marengo behind the enemy lines). The horse was not feeling happy and apparently kicked the Duke, nearly missing his head after carrying his rider for 17 nonstop hours. The Duke then jumped and patted Copenhagen on the flank in celebration.

6. Comanche 

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Captain Myles Keogh of the 7th Cavalry rode the fearless and resilient horse Comanche. Comanche accompanied Keogh into the disastrous Little Bighorn Battle in 1876. Before US soldiers discovered Comanche in a ravine two days later, wounded but still alive, they were under the impression that the squad had no survivors. Under the direction of Colonel Samuel D. Sturgis, he was treated for his illness and thereafter retired to a happy life.

7. Warrior

The famous warhorse of General Jack Seely in World War I, Warrior, was called “the horse the Germans couldn’t kill.” Warrior is known for enduring many terrifying situations, including being shot at by a sniper and having a bomb fall on his stable. Thoroughbred Warrior won a race in his hometown of the Isle of Wight after retiring from the military.

8. Man o’ War

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Man o’ War is thought to be the finest racehorse of all time. He won 20 of the 21 races, losing just one at the Saratoga Race Course to a horse with the appropriately named Upset. Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Blood-Horse, and the Associated Press selected him as the best American racehorse of the 20th century. In addition, the New York Times named him one of the year’s top two athletes, alongside Babe Ruth.

Man o’ War was a 16.2-hand chestnut Thoroughbred who consistently outscored his competitors while being heavily weighted. Man o’ War was known for throwing huge temper tantrums, so his trainers had their job cut out for them. At age 65, he retired.

9. Seabiscuit

The 1937 Triple Crown winner (War Admiral, another well-known racehorse), was beaten by Seabiscuit by four lengths in a two-horse race-off. Seabiscuit is a legendary racehorse who earned more money than any other racehorse up to the 1940s. Seabiscuit’s track record is unmatched, but his extraordinary life story has helped him become even more well-known. In addition to being seen as undersized and unambitious, Seabiscuit had a difficult start to the race. Every one of his first 17 races in his rookie season were losses. 

10. Misty and Stormy of Chincoteague

The first book Marguerite Henry wrote on Misty of Chincoteague was released in 1947. Her television show was based on the true story of a wild pony that was nurtured by the Beebe family after coming from the Virginian island of Chincoteague. The paint pony became popular thanks to the show, and the plot was even transformed into a film.

In 1962, a powerful rainstorm that was sweeping the East Coast forced the evacuation of Chincoteague Island. The Beebe family was devastated to leave their horses behind and decided to shelter Misty, who was then pregnant, inside their home during the storm. In the end, Misty gave birth to a foal she named “Stormy.” Just like her mother, Stormy was well-known.

11. Trigger

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In movies and later in his personal life, Roy Rogers rode a palomino named Trigger. After riding him in his first movie, Roy Rogers bought him from a trainer, and the two became so close that Rogers had Trigger kept by a zoo keeper after he passed away. 

12. Sergeant Reckless

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A 14-hand chestnut Mongolian Horse mare named Sergeant Reckless served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War before being “promoted” to staff sergeant before retiring. She was owned by a Korean stableboy who bought her from two US soldiers at a racecourse so he could pay for his sister’s medical care. She was born to a racehorse dam.

She was later trained by the Marines and used as a pack horse during the conflict. She became used to the routes and developed a reputation for delivering ammo and other supplies to the soldiers without the aid of a handler. She would also help wounded soldiers get off the battlefield.

13. Bamboo Harvester

Mr Ed was a TV show with a talking horse as the lead character that may be the most well-known horse in history and the media. Although everyone will remember him as Mr Ed, the horse who portrayed the part was actually called Bamboo Harvester. Bamboo Harvester, a palomino Saddlebred X born in 1949, became well-known across the country when the programme premiered in 1961. He played Mr Ed until 1966 before passing and died in 1970.

14. Secretariat

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Secretariat was a powerful 16.2 hands tall chestnut Thoroughbred who, after a sluggish start to his racing career, went on to set (and still maintains) the marks for the quickest times in each of the Triple Crown events. In fact, his victory in the Belmont Stakes in 1973—which he did by an astonishing 31 horse lengths—is regarded as the greatest race in history.

At the age of three, Secretariat retired and went on to sire more than 650 named horses. Even though he produced a number of stakes winners, his career as a stud is best known for the elite broodmares that he sired.

15. Frankel

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A British racehorse named Frankel was considered to be the best racehorse in the world as of 2011. Throughout his career, he won 14 races and did it without losing a single one, giving him the nickname “The Unbeatable Miracle Horse.” As of the year 2023, he will be the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland, with a stud fee of about $335,000.

Without the assistance of horses, the world would not be what it is today. Horses contributed significantly to the development of civilization for many years. It’s interesting to hear about some of the roles horses have performed throughout history. Horses will always be a significant part of human life, whether it was a horse like Nelson who carried George Washington into combat or Seabiscuit who gave people hope through difficult times!