It’s no secret that some people love a good horse race. Whether watching the Kentucky Derby or just going out for a Sunday ride, horses have long been a part of human history. And with such an iconic animal comes iconic music!
Here are some of the best songs about horse racing:
Long Shot Kick De Bucket – The Pioneers (1969)
The Race Is On – George Jones (1964)
Bottle of Smoke – The Pogues (1988)
The Ballad of Thunder Gulch – Chris de Burgh (1995)
You’re so Vain – Carly Simon (1972)
GGF – Rancid (2000)
Bull in the Heather – Sonic Youth (1994)
Stewball – The Hollies (1966)
Sometimes (Lester Piggott) – James (1993)
Run for the Roses – Dan Fogelberg (1981)
Race Track Blues – Lee Rocker (2005)
Fugue for Tinhorns – Guys and Dolls (1955)
Zenyatta – Liza G. Fly (2013)
Call to the Post – Angela Bartley (1999)
Up on Cripple Creek – The Band (1969)
My Old Kentucky Home – Bing Crosby and The King’s Men (1940)
Where the Turf Meets the Surf – Bing Crosby (1941)
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (1975)
Let Me See the Colts – Smog (2005)
The Best Is Yet to Come – Tony Bennett (1959)
Both Ends Burning – Richard Thompson (1983)
Camptown Races – Pete Seeger (1959)
Let the Big Horse Run – John Stewart (1975)
Molly and Tenbrooks – Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (1949)
The Ballad of Ruby Walsh – Christy Moore (2009)
A Legend in the Game – Frank Lovato Jr. (2002)
The Angels Took My Racehorse Away – Richard Thompson (1972)
The Fix – Elbow & Richard Hawley (2008)
Chips Ahoy! – The Hold Steady (2006)
She’s a Winner – The Intruders (1972)
Read on to learn more about these horse racing songs, and enjoy listening to them while you’re at it.
Songs About Horse Racing – Top 30
Horse racing is a well-loved sport that spans the world and is also one of the most popular topics for songwriters.
Below are some of the best and most iconic songs about horse racing and why they stand out from the pack:
The song describes how the horse died just short of the finish line as he hugged the rail down the last straight. This track is famous among fans who enjoy horse racing because it tells the story of an important historical event.
2. The Race Is On – George Jones (1964)
“The Race Is On” is a classic country song that uses the metaphor of an up-and-down relationship to describe its storyline. It’s sung by one of the best artists in the business, George Jones. This version was released in 1964 and ranked 3rd on Billboard’s Hot 100 (Country) chart the following year.
3. Bottle of Smoke – The Pogues (1988)
The Pogues is a Celtic punk band with folk, whimsical, and upbeat styles. They often sing about typical Irish themes that both celebrate and defy tradition.
In this punk folk song, the singer describes how much fun it is to win big at a horse race. Many listeners love this song because it makes them want to dance and cheer their team on, even if it isn’t a win.
4. The Ballad of Thunder Gulch – Chris de Burgh (1995)
The Ballad of Thunder Gulch is a folk and country song with a tone of celebration. The lyrics describe the victory of Michael Tabor and his horse called Thunder Gulch in the 1995 Kentucky Derby held in Louisville. Listeners like this song because it was made to celebrate a horse race victory.
5. You’re So Vain – Carly Simon (1972)
Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” was released in 1972 and is in the country and pop genre. Although this song isn’t primarily concerned with horse racing, it’s undoubtedly one of the biggest hit songs to mention the sport: “Well, I hear you went up to Saratoga, and your horse naturally won.”
6. GGF – Rancid (2000)
The song GGF (Golden Gate Fields) by the band Rancid is a very energetic, fast-paced punk song that describes how the love of horse racing has made watching races more exciting for the artist. The song has a positive tone with upbeat lyrics that remind listeners of their favorite horses and races.
7. Bull in the Heather – Sonic Youth (1994)
The song “Bull in the Heather” is an alternative rock song by Sonic Youth, and it was released in April 1994 as the lead single from their eighth studio album, “Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star.”
Its title refers to the racehorse named “Bull in the Heather,” which won the Florida Derby in 1993.
8. Stewball – The Hollies (1966)
“Stewball” was an 18th-century racehorse most famous for its appearance in a ballad and folk song. This horse’s journey to fame is told through this rock ballad by The Hollies.
9. Sometimes (Lester Piggott) – James (1993)
The British horse jockey named Lester Piggott inspired the song “Sometimes” by the English rock band James. The band referred to this song as “Lester Piggott” because of its racing beat and rhythm.
This song by Lee Rocker talks about horse racing in a few different places. It has blues undertones and is an excellent mix of rock and blues. The lyrics reference horse racing and give a sense of how thrilling it must be to go out there and watch horses race.
12. Fugue for Tinhorns – Guys and Dolls (1955)
Theme music for horse racing, the Fugue for Tinhorns, is easy to relate to for anyone who has ever been in a race. This is a classic show tune with an upbeat mood, so it’s perfect for racing and entertainment tracks.
13. Zenyatta – Liza G. Fly (2013)
The song “Zenyatta” is a tribute to a champion thoroughbred racehorse who won the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2008 and 2009.
The song’s lyrics describe Zenyatta’s unique and charismatic personality: “She crosses the wire, she winks at her fans / One ear pointed forward and one toward the stands.” This makes listeners feel inspired, happy, and hopeful.
14. Call to the Post – Angela Bartley (1999)
This is similar to a trumpet horse racing song. “Call to the Post” is a traditional signal indicating that horses are on track for a race. People use this bugle song as a reference for horse racing, making it highly recognizable.
16. My Old Kentucky Home – Bing Crosby and The King’s Men (1940)
This classical horse racing song was written in 1852 by Stephen Foster, considered the “father” of American music.
Churchill Downs has honored the composer by designating a Grade 1 race after him that is called the Stephen Foster Handicap. His song is also played before the annual Kentucky Derby.
17. Where the Turf Meets the Surf – Bing Crosby (1941)
This song is sung by one of the partners involved in constructing the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack. On the track’s opening day in 1937, Crosby was there to greet fans.
18. Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (1975)
Given that Bruce Springsteen is considered one of New Jersey’s most beloved native sons, it’s only fitting to perform this song before the Grade 1 – $1M Haskell Invitational Stakes. It was staged at Monmouth Park in the state where he was born and raised.
19. Let Me See the Colts – Smog (2005)
This song has a sad take that takes an optimistic and romantic view of the future from an underground artist who experiments with sound. The song goes: “Knocked on your door at dawn / With a spark in my heart / Dragged you from your bed / And said let me see the colts.”
20. The Best Is Yet to Come – Tony Bennett (1959)
This timeless classic is the theme for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. It is meant to remind racing enthusiasts that there is more to horse racing than just the Triple Crown season.
This song has a jazzy and expensive feel that perfectly conveys the style and class of the two-day championships.
21. Both Ends Burning – Richard Thompson (1983)
This song is about a horse called “Both Ends Burning,” who overcame a broken leg to win the race. It’s a British folk rock song that is fun to listen to.
22. Camptown Races – Pete Seeger (1959)
The song “Camptown Races” reflects a necessary transition time in US history. It’s a lively folk music piece and a popular tune during the time leading up to the Civil War.
23. Let the Big Horse Run – John Stewart (1975)
Another folk country song about horse racing is John Stewart’s “Let the Big Horse Run.” It describes the excitement and enjoyment of horse racing. The pop-sounding melody makes it easy to listen, while the lyrics offer insight into the world of horse racing.
24. Molly and Tenbrooks – Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys (1949)
This song is about a match race between two champion horses. In most song versions, Tenbrooks “ran all around The Midwest and beat the Memphis train,” while “out in California Molly did as she pleased, came back to Kentucky and got beat with all ease.”
Each word of this song is carefully chosen for meaning and rhythm. No wonder this song has remained popular among fans of traditional bluegrass and early rock ‘n’ roll music.
25. The Ballad of Ruby Walsh – Christy Moore (2009)
Christy Moore examines all that is best about the Irish horse racing scene in this heartfelt tribute to champion national hunt jockey Rupert ‘Ruby’ Walsh.
The song describes not only Walsh’s riding genius and his many achievements but also the particular atmosphere of the Galway races and the national hunt races in general.
26. A Legend in the Game – Frank Lovato Jr. (2002)
Frank Lovato was hired to construct an Equicizer to produce the most recent version of the film Seabiscuit, which starred Tobey Maguire. These machines stimulate horse movement for rider close-ups. But Lovato accomplished a great deal more than that.
He penned the song “A Legend in the Game” while he was home alone in his New York City apartment, intending to submit it for consideration for inclusion in the movie. But it did not happen. You can listen to this moving tribute on YouTube instead.
27. The Angels Took My Racehorse Away – Richard Thompson (1972)
Richard Thompson’s song “The Angels Took My Racehorse Away” is a classic British folk rock song. The song is about an unlucky gambler searching for a horse to bring him good luck, but his hopes are dashed when the horse dies just before he can win big.
28. The Fix – Elbow & Richard Hawley (2008)
The Fix, by Elbow and Richard Hawley, is a song about fixing a race. Even though this might seem like an unusual subject for a piece, the lyrics are both clever and engaging.
While this is a simple enough subject, it’s given a magical treatment by Elbow and Richard Hawley. It’s hard to believe how beautiful this song is.
The lyrics are brilliant, the voices blend perfectly, and the musicians provide an eerily beautiful backdrop for this lyrical tale of horse racing.
29. Chips Ahoy! – The Hold Steady (2006)
This upbeat indie rock song is not about the horse but about a girl who can tell if the horse will win. Some listeners even find this song to be inspiring and thought-provoking.
30. She’s a Winner – The Intruders (1972)
Bet you didn’t think about this, did you? “She’s a Winner” is a soul and disco track recorded by the American music group The Intruders in 1972. The song described the excitement of horse racing and reached the 14th spot in the UK Singles Chart.
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Horse racing is a beloved sport that has been around for centuries, and it’s still going strong today. So whether you’re a fan or just someone who loves music, these songs about horse racing are sure to be enjoyable listen:
Long Shot Kick De Bucket – The Pioneers (1969)
The Race Is On – George Jones (1964)
Bottle of Smoke – The Pogues (1988)
The Ballad of Thunder Gulch – Chris de Burgh (1995)
You’re so Vain – Carly Simon (1972)
GGF – Rancid (2000)
Bull in the Heather – Sonic Youth (1994)
Stewball – The Hollies (1966)
Sometimes (Lester Piggott) – James (1993)
Run for the Roses – Dan Fogelberg (1981)
Race Track Blues – Lee Rocker (2005)
Fugue for Tinhorns – Guys and Dolls (1955)
Zenyatta – Liza G. Fly (2013)
Call to the Post – Angela Bartley (1999)
Up on Cripple Creek – The Band (1969)
My Old Kentucky Home – Bing Crosby and The King’s Men (1940)
Where the Turf Meets the Surf – Bing Crosby (1941)
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen (1975)
Let Me See the Colts – Smog (2005)
The Best Is Yet to Come – Tony Bennett (1959)
Both Ends Burning – Richard Thompson (1983)
Camptown Races – Pete Seeger (1959)
Let the Big Horse Run – John Stewart (1975)
Molly and Tenbrooks – Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys (1949)
The Ballad of Ruby Walsh – Christy Moore (2009)
A Legend in the Game – Frank Lovato Jr. (2002)
The Angels Took My Racehorse Away – Richard Thompson (1972)
