By: Ansha Kottapalli

One of the most beloved horses in racing history, Funny Cide, died at the age of 23 last week. Funny Cide retired after his win at the Wadsworth Memorial Handicap in 2007. 16 years later, in July 2023, he died from colic complications.

Funny Cide was entered in the Kentucky Derby at the age of 3 in 2003. There were no expectations for Funny Cide as he was unknown and was entering a big race. He was also a New York state-bred horse– a breed that had never won the Kentucky Derby before.

When Funny Cide won, it was a huge shock and a significant moment for Funny Cide’s owners. It was an especially profound moment for the Chilean jockey, Jose Santos, who was finally able to achieve his dream.

The immediate media characterized the moment “as a feel-good story about a blue-collar horse owned by a bunch of small-town guys who got lucky” (NPR). This was soon shut down as Funny Cide went on to win at the Preakness Stakes. He proved to the media that the win at the Kentucky Derby did not happen by chance. Being only one victory away from acquiring the Triple Crown “101,562 fans came to watch Funny Cide’s bid for thoroughbred history”(NBCsports). Ultimately, Santos and Funny Cide were unable to win the Triple Crown.

Although he didn’t win the Triple Crown, he still achieved so much and won, “more than $3.5 million for his owners” (NPR), by the time he retired. He still gets media attention, and is “currently is the most visited horse in the Hall of Champions”(thoroughbredracing). After retirement, Funny Cide spent his last years at a horse farm in Kentucky.