The best thoroughbreds we’ve seen in the 21st century

Some of the greatest racehorses to have ever raced were foaled and raced in the 21st century. Here is a brief list of some of the best of the best.

1. American Pharoah

This American champion racehorse was foaled in 2012 and won the American Triple Crown in 2015, which consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. He also won the Breeders Cup Classic making him the only horse to win all four races in one year in what is called the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing. He was named American Horse of the Year the same year and was inducted into the American Racing Hall of Fame in 2021. Over his career, he amassed earnings of over US$8,600,000 and has since been put out to stud.

2. Winx

One of the all-time greatest racehorses to come out of Australia, Winx retired in 2019 after a 33 race winning streak, which included a world-record 25 Group 1 wins. She was named the world’s top filly or Mare in 2016 and was co-ranked as the best horse in the world in 2018. Winx also won the Secretariat Vox Populi award the same year. The Warwick Stakes was renamed Winx Stakes in 2018. and one of the Sunshine Coast races today is known as the Winx Guineas since the Sunshine Coast Guineas was renamed after her in 2020. She was foaled in 2011 and while still competing, was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2017.

3. Invasor

This Argentinian-bred thoroughbred Stallion was foaled in 2002 and as a 3-year-old, won the Triple Crown in Uruguay in 2005 earning him the Uruguayan Horse of the Year. He went on to win some of the biggest races in the world, namely the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2006 and the Dubai World Cup in 2007. He ended up winning 11 of his 12 races. He was also inducted into the National Museum and Racing Hall of Fame in 2013. Two months after his Dubai World Cup win Invasor injured his right hindleg ankle and was put out to stud.

4. Makybe Divya

Makybe Diva was foaled in 1999 and retired in 2006 after an exceptionally impressive career. Makybe Diva is the only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times for which she now has a bronze statue of her at Flemington Racecourse. During winning such races as the W.S. Cox Plate, the Australia Cup, and the Turnbull Stakes, she won such awards as Australian Racehorse of the year in 2005 and 2006 and the Australian Champion Stayer in 2004, 2005, and 2006. She was inducted into the racing Hall of fame at the end of her career in 2006.

5. Justify

Justify is another Stallion to have won the American Triple Crown, which is not surprising because some of his ancestors including Secretariat, Count Fleet, and Gallant, all won the Crown as well. He is the 13th horse to win the coveted Crown, which earned him the American Horse of the Year and American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse in 2018. He was getting ready to race in the Breeders Cup Classic which would have given him the Grand Slam Title but sadly had to retire after his Belmont Stakes win due to an injury on his ankle.