The most famous racehorse never to win an official race is the Japanese thoroughbred mare Haru Urara, who finished her professional career with a record of zero wins in 113 starts. She became a national symbol of perseverance and tenacity in Japan during an economic downturn in the early 2000s.
Despite never winning a race, Japanese racehorse Haru Urara became a national and global icon, inspiring fans with her determination and perseverance.
Haru Urara (Japanese: ハルウララ; February 27, 1996 – September 9, 2025) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved a record of zero wins and 113 losses in a career spanning from 1998 to 2004.
An investigation by The Sunday Telegraph concluded that the horse was shot four days after the theft. No arrests have ever been made in relation to the theft. Shergar's body has never been recovered or identified; it is likely that the body was buried near Aughnasheelin, near Ballinamore, County Leitrim.
Zippy Chippy (April 20, 1991 – April 2022) was a thoroughbred race horse, a bay gelding, who is notable for being winless in 100 races.
Often regarded as the greatest racehorse of all time, Frankel was undefeated in his 14-race career. Trained by Sir Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, Frankel dazzled with his raw speed and dominance.
In 1999 Sean O'Callaghan, a former member of the IRA, published details of the theft and stated that it was an IRA operation to raise money for arms. He said that very soon after the theft, Shergar had panicked and damaged his leg, which led to him being killed by the gang.
UKIAH, Calif., May 18 — Seabiscuit, one-time leading winner of the American turf, died of a heart attack last midnight, owner Charles S. Howard announced today.
He was born in Kildare in 1978 and kidnapped by an armed gang in 1983. It was believed Shergar - valued at £10m - was taken by the IRA, which was short of money and looking for new sources of funding. He was expected to be a source of profit for the syndicate which owned him.
There isn't one single "rarest" horse, as rarity varies, but breeds like the Sorraia (Portugal, <200 worldwide), Suffolk Punch (UK, <300), Cleveland Bay (UK, critically endangered), and ancient breeds like the Akhal-Teke (Turkmenistan, <7,000) are extremely rare, often due to mechanization or historical decline, with efforts focusing on preservation.
Famous for his come-from-behind victories, Chautauqua's career ended in controversy when he refused to leave the racing start gates on a multitude of occasions.
Ron Steiner Man O War won 20 out of 21 races carrying 12 pounds more and wearing heavier shoes than Secretariat. Secretariat won 16 out of 21 races, had 3 second place, 1 third place and a fourth place. While Secretariat had a bigger stride angle, Man O War had a longer stride by 2 inches.
You must understand: YES, John Henry may very-well have been The Meanest Horse on Earth. He tried to bite virtually everyone in his path.
Upset (foaled 1917 in New Jersey) is notable as the only horse to have ever defeated Man o' War. Man o' War, who would go on to a career in which he won 20 of his 21 starts, faced Upset in the seventh running of the Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on August 13, 1919.
The "3 Fs for horses" stand for Friends, Forage, and Freedom, a widely recognized concept in equine welfare emphasizing natural social interaction (friends), continuous access to fiber-rich food (forage), and ample space for movement and choice (freedom) to ensure a horse's physical and mental well-being. These pillars address core needs, preventing behavioral issues often rooted in confinement and unnatural feeding, promoting happier, healthier horses.
Considered the world's purest breed, Icelandic Horses were brought by Viking ships to serve as the sole source of transportation over Iceland's rough terrain. Isolated by law, nature gifted these horses with no natural predators, but in turn challenged them with sparse forage and a harsh climate.
But the Shergar story went on to run much deeper than that, with the horse being kidnapped from Ballymany Stud in Ireland. He was never found and it is a puzzle that will probably never be solved.
Red Rum (3 May 1965 – 18 October 1995) was an Irish champion Thoroughbred steeplechaser racehorse. He achieved an unmatched historic treble when he won the Grand National in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and also came second in the two intervening years, 1975 and 1976.
Veterinarians on the scene later confirmed there was “a bit of blood near his mouth,” reportedly from a minor cut on the inside of his cheek. No further treatment was required. Racing officials and commentators were quick to assure the public that it was nothing — a mere scratch. And just like that the show went on.
Retired to Ridgewood Ranch in California, Seabiscuit sired 108 foals, but few had any success on the track. His best offspring included Sea Swallow, winner of the Yankee Handicap, Tijuana Derby, and Derby Trial, and Sea Swallow, winner of the Santa Catalina Handicap.
The first and most obvious reason why euthanasia is sometimes necessary when a horse breaks a leg is that not all fractures are able to be repaired successfully. The biggest issue, that is unique to horses, is that they cannot bear weight for prolonged periods of time on three legs.
Seabiscuit died of a probable heart attack on May 17, 1947, in Willits, California, six months before his grandsire Man o' War. He is buried at Ridgewood Ranch in Mendocino County, California.
Shergar produced 35 foals from his single season at stud, the best turning out to be the 1986 Irish St. Leger winner Authaal, but only one had been born by the time of the theft.
Soon after Becher's, Red Rum took the lead and won the race to tumultuous cheering. After his retirement Red Rum returned to Aintree many times to lead the parade of horses before the race. He died on October 18th 1995 at the age of 30 and is buried at the finishing line with his head facing the winning post.
On 8th February 1983 the thoroughbred race horse was kidnapped from his owner Aga Khan's stud farm. A £2 million ransom was demanded - negotiations broke down and Shergar- who was valued at over £10 million - was never seen again.