Naming A Horse

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Where to start and do we have guidelines to work within? Yes there are guidelines and a few are mentioned below but to help get you started for that perfect name many start with an anagram of their sire or dam. Others decide to think a little laterally and drag in syllables of a portion of each of the sire or dam's name. Confused - well some interesting options that have been used are:
The Jolly Dancer (Victory Dance - Respectful)
Kay's Awake (Towkay - Wake Up Susie)
Iresistabeel (Zabeel - Ficcio)
My Hangover (My Halo - Hangover Street)
Miss Caroma (Pervero - High Plateau)

Miss Caroma's sire and dam have no relevance to her name but word has it she had constant diarrhea as a foal hence the name of a toilet brand!

...the options are endless.

Listed below are some useful hints to bear in mind when naming a horse:

  • Names cannot exceed 18 characters, including the spaces.
  • Don't apply for names whose spelling or pronunciation is similar to names already registered.
  • A name cannot be re-used until 15 years has elapsed since the foaling of a similar named horse.
  • Names for broodmares cannot be used again until 12 years has elapsed since that name last appeared in a Volume of the Stud Book.
  • Names of winners of Group One races are protected.

For a quick check on whether a name is available or not or for any further help please contact:

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
PO Box 38 386 Wellington Mail Centre
p +64 4 576 6240
office@nzracing.co.nz

Good, sound, well educated horses

Chris Rutten, Breaker and Pre-trainer, Otaki