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Radiohead the Horse Set for Kentucky Derby

Radiohead are one of the most successful avant garde rock bands in the world. Now they have got a tribute in four-legged form; as Rolling Stone reports, Radiohead is also the name of one of the potential contenders for the Kentucky Derby.

The three-year-old chestnut colt is 20-1 with the bookies to win the race on May 1 , as well as a trophy and $2m (£1.3m) in prize money. The Kentucky Derby claims to be the greatest race in the world, and is certainly the pinnacle in the US horse-racing calendar.

Speaking to the Miami Herald, Dutrow Jr. said, "He's a cool, happy, curious horse. He's very proud of himself. He's game, you know. He's game for an idea. He knows he's going to have to show he can run against good horses."

Much like Thom Yorke's famously grumpy reputation, it seems Radiohead is a bit temperamental. Dutrow Jr. said, "He'll try to take a chance and bite you."

As Rolling Stone points out, Radiohead's great-grandfather was named "Danzig" and the English-bred horse is named for the band, not the Talking Heads song that inspired the moniker.


Everyone's best friend, Google, reveals that Radiohead are not the only band to be honoured in such a way. Phil Cunningham tends to name his gee gees after songs, and has at one time or another raced Cockney Rebel, Heroes, When Doves Cry, Folsomprisonblues and Billie Jean.

Radiohead, if he wins, could be set for the prestigious Triple Crown, which no one has won since 1978. To obtain that plaudit, the horse would have to win the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes later in the year. Let's hope he's 'Lucky' and doesn't get 'Let Down' going round 'The Bends.'

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Horse Breath

I've seen him run and if the band group plays like he runs I think its time to seek a new band.

March 23 2010 at 4:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
PeeDee Leavitt

I haven't heard the expression "gee-gees" used in connection with racehorses in the last 40 years. And even then it was never used by the people who owned, trained and raced the horses. Only by the people who thought they were horse people just because they placed a bet. Please, if you're going to talk about the horses in the Kentucky Derby, give them the respect they deserve as some of the best athletes in their sport.

March 23 2010 at 4:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
6OVI

Huh??????

March 23 2010 at 3:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Heywood Jablome

Check your updates.....Radiohead placed last in his race over the weekend.

March 23 2010 at 2:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
specled hen

never heard of Radiohead??? serious???

March 23 2010 at 1:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lrusk

Without regard to the questionable truth of the opening statement in the article, wouldn't the correct grammatical expression be, "Radiohead IS one of the most . . .," not "Radiohead ARE one of the most . . . ?"

March 23 2010 at 12:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to lrusk's comment
OU812?

Irusk::: Radiohead IS a group. It's the name given to a GROUP. MEMBERS of more then one..NICE try but YOU are wrong.

March 23 2010 at 1:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lrusk

No, OU8121C, YOU are wrong. A group is a composite unit of individuals. The Senate (composite group) IS voting. The Senators (individual members of the group) ARE voting. By your own admission you acknowledge that Radiohead IS a group. Maybe the individual members are Radioheads, I don't know, as I don't keep up with fruitcake groups. But Radiohead, as such, IS a group.

March 23 2010 at 1:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
drew

who cares if the horse was named after a band. if fact i,ve never heard of the band before, they can't be that great.

March 23 2010 at 12:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Carrie

I was thinking the same thing, Me

March 23 2010 at 10:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lips

Hmmmmmmmmmm, I thought this Article was about a race horse. Yet, not even a picture of him? How weird is that. Well, not to weird for AOL. LOL

March 23 2010 at 9:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply