There is something about horse racing that makes watching such events a burst of emotion, adrenaline, and joy. Most horse racing fans would agree that we are talking about a sport where there is much more than just racing.
Horse racing as a sport is quite a unique breed, and it is the only sport where fashion is just as important as the race results, and one of the few sports were holding to traditions is the main priority of most of these racing organizations.
But what makes horse racing so fun? Well, we have the fashion, the vibes (making you feel like royalty), the networking opportunities, the betting, and of course, the music. Horse racing as a sport has been very influential on our culture, and maybe you haven’t noticed, but there are some big songs that are actually inspired by horse racing events.
If you want to get your horse racing groove on, this is the playlist you need to consider making.
My Old Kentucky Home
We obviously start with the Kentucky Derby’s national anthem. Every year, at the Kentucky Derby, when the University of Louisville Marching Band strikes up “My Old Kentucky Home”, the whole place (150,000 fans) ignites, no matter if you are a celebrity or just a regular person.
There is something about this song that hits hard, especially since it is tied to a prestigious event like the Kentucky Derby. This song is written by Stephen Foster in 1863, and it is a folk ballad that has nothing to do with racing.
But how did it end up becoming the anthem for the Derby? Well, the song taps into Kentucky’s soul with its nostalgia for “the old Kentucky Home”. A popular song would be called popular if there weren’t some controversy behind it. With “My Old Kentucky Home”, there is a controversy over its minstrel show roots, but there is no doubt that the melody has the power to unite crowds, even if it is your first time at Churchill Downs.
Run for the Roses
“My Old Kentucky Home” isn’t the only song associated with the Kentucky Derby. Since this is a big event, with a lot of history, they obviously needed their own song, right/ Well, Dan Fogelberg’s “Run for the Roses” is the perfect song that has been stuck with the Derby since 1981.
This song was actually written for ABC’s 1980 Kentucky Derby coverage as a way to entertain fans, but since then, it has been stuck with the derby just because the song perfectly highlights all the things that the Kentucky Derby represents.
Plus, this song is quite unique since it is a rock song, unlike most horse racing songs that are either country or folk.
Due to the popularity of the Derby, this song hit No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and since then, it has become an unofficial anthem for this big event.
Where the Turf Meets the Surf
Now we move to sunny California, to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, another very interesting and popular horse racing location. Here we have another legendary horse racing song called “Where Turf Meets the Surf,” sung by co-founder Bing Crosby in 1937.
Yes, Bing Crosby was also into horse racing. This song brings the breezy vibes that perfectly capture the spirit of watching a race at Del Mar.
Plus, this song was recorded with the John Scott Trotter Orchestra, and it sounds amazing. After all, there is a reason why this song is played before and after every race.
Fugue for Tinhorns
Picture three gamblers arguing over their picks at a newsstand—that’s “Fugue for Tinhorns” from the 1950 musical Guys and Dolls. With lines like “I got the horse right here, his name is Paul Revere,” this jazzy show tune, written by Frank Loesser, captures the betting buzz of racing’s golden age.
And if you are into Belmont Stakes betting, maybe this song will inspire you to find the favorite in the race.
Crooners like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby recorded it, and its witty banter still resonates with fans, per canadasportsbetting.ca. I’ve hummed it while scanning a racing form, feeling like I’m in a 1950s trackside hustle.
Sweet Caroline
Okay, “Sweet Caroline” wasn’t written for horse racing — Neil Diamond penned it in 1969 about his wife—but it’s become the Preakness Stakes’ unofficial jam.
Since the 1990s, Pimlico Racecourse blasts it during the eighth inning stretch of the day, with 140,000 fans belting “Sweet Caroline, bum-bum-bum” like it’s a Baltimore ritual, per thoroughbredracing.com. It’s got that sing-along magic, turning a gritty track into a party.
To be honest, since this song isn’t tied to a specific event officially, it is the perfect song to listen to whether you are watching the Kentucky Derby or the Belmont Stakes.
These are some of the most iconic songs where most of which were inspired by horse racing events, or at least they give us similar vibes. But it is safe to say that horse racing wouldn’t be the same without these songs.
