There are few more historic sports in the world than horse racing, with legends born on the track across the globe based on the feats that they are able to achieve.
Throughout history, there have been no shortage of superstar equines that we have seen, with some setting standards that we are unlikely to see eclipsed in our lifetime.
Among those includes American Pharoah, who landed Grand Slam glory in after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2015 after previously landing successes in all three Triple Crown races. You can find other record breakers if you place a wager in one of future events: twinspires.com/edge/racing/wagering/best-bets/
So, who ranks among the most record-breaking horses in the history of the sport?
Honeysuckle
Wins at the top level are typically what separates great horses from one-of-a-kind performers. However, no horse in history can eclipse the eleven straight Grade 1 victories recorded by legendary mare Honeysuckle. The runner for trainer Henry De Bromhead transcended the world of jumps racing between 2019 and 2022, winning a staggering eleven races at the top level.
Her most dominant season came in 2020-21 after winning the Champion Hurdle and Punchestown Champion Hurdle to land victories in four straight races. However, her unbeaten record on track ended with defeat in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in 2022-23, before returning to the track to end her career in staggering fashion at the Cheltenham Festival to land the G1 Mares’ Hurdle in 2023.
Winx
Another legendary record-breaking mare comes in the form of Winx. The Australian-trained runner landed victory in a staggering ten Group 1 races throughout her career, and holds the outright record for the most successive victories in stakes races. The runner trained by Chris Waller landed victories in 37 of her 43 career starts, landing a staggering 25 victories in Group 1 company.
That tally is also a world record, but her ability over a variety of distances made her standout from the crowd, as she won over distances ranging from 1300 metres to 2200 metres. Winx was the highest-rated turf horse in 2016, and retained the rating in 2017 and 2018. Her accomplishments were honoured in 2017 after she became just the third horse to be inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame while still in training.
Golden Sixty
The prestigious honour of winning the most prize money in horse racing history belongs to Lui Kin Wai-trained Golden Sixty. To date, the eight-year-old has won a staggering HK$165 million throughout her career. The Australian-bred horse was named the Hong Kong Horse of the Year on three successive occasions between 2020 and 2023.
He made history in 2023 by landing victory in the Hong Kong Gold Cup, becoming the first horse to sur 23 wins in the country since the 1930s. His reputation on track also gained worldwide attention after he was announced as the world’s highest rated horse in March 2023. Further dominant wins have followed since then, landing the Hong Kong Mile in December 2023, and the Stewards’ Cup.
Condado
Horse racing in Puerto Rico is exceptionally popular, and therefore there have been no shortage of superstar to come out of the nation. One of the most celebrated throughout history is Condado, who was trained by Pablo Suarez. The runner ranks among the world leaders in of victories, ing a staggering 152 victories in 213 races throughout his career.
He also holds the esteemed record on track for ing the highest number of successive wins, recording 43 straight races during his career. The runner landed victories at the highest level on a number of occasions throughout his career, which included two wins in the Clasico Nevidad in 1937 and 1938. His accomplishments on track were later acknowledged after he was inducted into the Puerto Rico Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1958.
Arrogate
The sport is also exceptionally popular in North America, with the racing season centered around the three Triple Crown races. However, the highest earning racehorse in North American didn’t compete in any of the Triple Crown races. Arrogate amassed a staggering $17.4 million in prize money throughout his career, which included a notable win on North American soil in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2016. However, the vast majority of his big race wins were recorded overseas. After landing the Pegasus World Cup, he travelled to the Middle East to land the Dubai World Cup in a track record time.
The victory ensured that he came the highest earning horse in American history, but he was unable to build on that success back at home after being sent to stud after suffering three straight defeats in the US. His purse is a staggering achievement given that he recorded just four wins in stakes company, but he recorded seven victories in eleven starts for trainer Bob Baffert. His accomplishments on track were acknowledged in 2023 after being inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
