Throughout history, certain horses have become legends – icons of courage, resilience and extraordinary partnership with their riders. From the battlefield to the racetrack, and from Olympic arenas to show jumping rings, these horses have left an indelible mark on equestrian history.
- Best horse quotes: our favourite horsey sayings
- Is horse riding a sport?
- 18 incredible, fascinating – and sometimes weird – horse facts
10 greatest horses ever
Charisma
On paper, Charisma and Kiwi eventer Mark Todd were not a match made in heaven – as Charisma was only 15.3 hands high (155cm) while Mark was almost 2 metres tall. Yet together they were the dream team.
The pair are best known for their back-to-back Olympic eventing gold medals in 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1988 (Seoul). A dark bay gelding of modest size and breeding, Charisma captured the world’s attention with his heart, agility and courage across all three phases of eventing: dressage, cross-country and show jumping.
Despite not being a traditional choice for elite eventing due to his smaller stature, Charisma defied expectations and became one of the sport’s greatest icons. His bond with Mark Todd, which was marked by trust, bravery and flawless performances under pressure, was key to their success. Charisma's achievements helped put New Zealand on the international equestrian map and inspired generations of riders. He remains a beloved figure in eventing history and a symbol of what determination and true partnership can achieve.
Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) named him one of their greatest horses ever.
Milton
Milton (top image) was a legendary show jumper best known for his incredible partnership with British rider John Whitaker. Milton was the first horse to earn over £1 million in prize money outside of racing.
A striking grey gelding, Milton became one of the most successful and beloved horses in the sport's history during the 1980s and early 1990s. Bred in England and originally named Marius Silver Jubilee, he was later renamed Milton and quickly rose to fame due to his extraordinary athleticism, intelligence and graceful style over jumps. Together with Whitaker, Milton won numerous prestigious titles, including the FEI World Cup Final in 1990 and 1991 and helped elevate public interest in show jumping.
Red Rum
Red Rum was one of Britain's most famous racehorses, best known for his remarkable achievements in the Grand National, one of the most challenging steeplechase races in the world. He won the Grand National three times – in 1973, 1974 and 1977 – and finishing second in the two intervening years. Trained by Ginger McCain, his dramatic 1973 victory, where he came from 30 lengths behind to win, remains one of the most memorable moments in racing history. When he died he was buried by the Grand National's finishing post.
Foxhunter
Foxhunter was a famous show jumper best known for his partnership with rider Harry Llewellyn. Together, they became national heroes after helping Great Britain secure the gold medal in the team show jumping at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He and Llewellyn also enjoyed great success in other international events, making them one of the most celebrated pairs in British equestrian history.
Valegro
Valegro is one of the most celebrated dressage horses in history. Born in 2002 in the Netherlands, Valegro – known as 'Blueberry' at home – rose to international fame under the training of Carl Hester. Together with his rider Charlotte Dujardin, he dominated the sport, winning individual gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as multiple World and European Championship titles. Valegro also set and broke several world records in dressage, including the highest ever scores in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle.
He retired in 2016 at the peak of his career, much loved by fans and still celebrated as a legend in equestrian sport.
Nijinsky
Nijinsky was a champion thoroughbred racehorse who became a legend in the world of flat racing. Foaled in 1967 in Canada and trained in Ireland by the famed Vincent O’Brien, Nijinsky was sired by Northern Dancer and quickly showed his extraordinary potential. In 1970, he achieved the rare and prestigious English Triple Crown, winning the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger Stakes – a feat that has not been repeated since.
Renowned for his powerful stride, versatility and calm temperament, Nijinsky dominated the track and earned a place in racing history as one of the greatest horses of the 20th century. After his retirement from racing, he became a highly influential sire, leaving a lasting legacy in the breeding world. Nijinsky's combination of elegance, strength and competitive spirit continues to be celebrated by racing fans worldwide.
Stroller
Stroller may have only been a pony but he had the heart of a lion. When his rider Marion Mould moved out of ponies she refused to sell him, preferring instead to compete him in horse classes against horses much bigger than himself. He soon proved himself an equal opponent and the pair quickly rose to the top.
The duo’s most famous achievement came at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, where they won the individual silver medal, making Stroller the only pony ever to win an Olympic show jumping medal. He also triumphed in numerous international competitions, including the prestigious Hickstead Derby in 1967. Despite his smaller size, Stroller consistently outperformed larger horses, proving that heart and determination matter just as much as stature. He remains a legend in equestrian history and an inspiration to riders everywhere.
Aldaniti
Aldaniti was a horse that became synonymous with one of the most inspiring comebacks in sporting history. After suffering a career-threatening leg injury, Aldaniti defied the odds to return to racing under the guidance of jockey Bob Champion, who himself had been battling cancer. Against all expectations, the duo triumphed in the 1981 Grand National at Aintree, capturing the hearts of millions. Their victory was not just a win on the racetrack, but a powerful symbol of resilience, determination and the unbreakable bond between horse and rider. The story of Aldaniti and Champion was later immortalised in the film Champions, ensuring their legacy would endure far beyond the world of horse racing.
Warrior
WWI was the last conflict to heavily feature horses in actual combat, and it produced some incredible stories.
One horse, Warrior, went to France with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in 1914 and served throughout the bloody conflict with Captain Jack Seely. Both survived the carnage on the Somme and at Ypres to return back to Britain in the winter of 1918. Branded 'the horse the Germans couldn’t kill', Warrior was awarded the Dickin Medal, but sadly only posthumously in 2014.
- British animal war heroes: We pay tribute to the brave animals that served alongside our troops in times of conflict
- The real 'War Horse': Discover the harrowing story and the true horrors of horses on the front line of WWI
Seabiscuit
At just 15.2hh, Seabiscuit was an undersized, overlooked thoroughbred who rose from humble beginnings to become one of America’s greatest racehorses and a symbol of hope during the Great Depression.
Trained by the unconventional Tom Smith and ridden by jockey Red Pollard, Seabiscuit defied expectations with his gritty determination and powerful finishing speed. In 1938, he captured the nation’s imagination by defeating the heavily favoured War Admiral in a legendary match race that solidified his status as a true champion. More than just a racing story, Seabiscuit’s journey became an enduring tale of perseverance, second chances and triumph against the odds.