Before They Were Stars

Not every horse name is unique. Over time, many horses have had their names repeated, but once that horse has not raced or been bred for five years, or been dead for five years, that name is eligible to be used again (unless it winds up on the permanent name list). This has led to several famous horses having their names used before.

Orb, the winner of the 2013 Kentucky Derby, has his name on the permanent list, by virtue of his Derby win. Less well known is the Orb before him, a lowly 1-21 plug whose only lifetime win came in a $12,500 maiden claiming at Bay Meadows:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=4464170&registry=T

However, because he had not raced since 2002, and the more famous Orb was born in 2010, that name was eligible for use.

There's also the I'll Have Another whose lone lifetime wins came at Suffolk Downs in March 1995: http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=1293609&registry=T
And the lowly maiden Street Sense:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=1042033&registry=T
And the Super Saver who was beaten by 17 lengths in his only start:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=4307510&registry=T
Going beyond Kentucky Derby winners, we'll find Gemologist. Better kown as the name of the 2012 Wood Memorial winner, the name was used for a a mediocre claimer based at Finger Lakes:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=4445515&registry=T
Laughing is better known as a multiple graded stakes winning turf star. Once, the name belonged to this horse who ran all over:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=5686995&registry=T
And Einstein, now known as a hard-knocking turfer, was once the name of this midwestern claimer:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=1391150&registry=T

Of course, it goes the other way, too. Dollar Bill only won one graded stakes (2000 Kentucky Jockey Club), but he always picked up checks in major stakes in 2001 and 2002. Unfortunately, he died in 2004, enabling this horse to run under his name: http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=8087012&registry=T

So just remember: even if your horse is no good, he could have the name of a superstar someday.