Every Kentucky Derby winner, ranked by greatness of name
By Zoe West
![LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 05: Mario Gutierrez (L) atop I'll Have Another is led to the starters gate before the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 05: Mario Gutierrez (L) atop I'll Have Another is led to the starters gate before the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fd17c0d019a78b8d4469983fc90f7c69aa9e3b9a662faaae475a0c1a7910257f.jpg)
52. Flying Ebony (1925): Was it appropriate? Maybe.
51. California Chrome (2014): This one was appropriate, had chrome (lots of white) and from Cali.
50. Dark Star (1953): His namesake will cut off your ear to make a point.
49. Day Star (1878): Creative way of naming a horse .
48. Assault (1946): Triple Crown winner, name appropriate for time he was born into.
47. Sea Hero (1993): Cool name, but doesn’t make sense.
46. Wintergreen (1909): Not bad, but why choose this for a horse’s name?
45. Shut Out (1942): Unfortunate if he had followed his name.
44. Chateaugay (1963): Very French.
43. Venetian Way (1960): Simple, but extra credit for going foreign.
42. Seattle Slew (1977): Triple Crown winner, not totally feeling the name.
41. Sir Barton (1919): First Triple Crown winner from before there was a “Triple Crown” title.
40. Canonero II (1971)
39. Swaps (1955): For some reason I like this name, can’t really say why though.
38. Cannonade (1974): Was always going to be a let down.
37. Sunday Silence (1989): Really cool black horse, exported to Japan before he died.
36. Always Dreaming (2017): Keep on dreaming.
35. His Eminence (1901): Fittingly regal.
34. Cavalcade (1934)
33. Count Fleet (1943): Triple Crown winner.
32. Zev (1923): This horse was actually named after a general of Genghis Khan, so the name has a very neat origin, even if it doesn’t look like it at first.
31. Typhoon II (1897): Good name for a racehorse.
30. Gallahadion (1940): No idea what it means, but sounds cool.
29. Majestic Prince (1969): Appropriate.
28. Unbridled (1990): A long legacy and a cool name.
27. Real Quiet (1998)
26. Foolish Pleasure (1975): Light hearted name for a serious game.
25. Apollo (1882): The sun god, appropriate.
24. Iron Liege (1957): Cool name, I feel I know another Iron Liege for some reason…
23. Strike the Gold (1991): Appropriate I guess (owners struck gold in the Derby!).
22. Silver Charm (1997): Grey.