Naming A Horse
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
e office@nzracing.co.nz