Horse racing is a sport that has survived for thousands of years, and sometimes it pops up in the most unexpected places.
When you think about horse racing and music, the first thing that probably comes to mind is country music or classical music, not hip-hop, right? But considering most rappers want to brag about money and luxury, horse racing fits right in. This is one of the most prestigious sports in the world, and it may be perfect as a reference in hip-hop songs.
Yes, it might feel random at first, but the more you listen, the more you realize that horse racing blends in really well. After all, rappers want to use synonyms and rhymes with double entendre, and since horses carry a lot of symbolism, they are perfect for hip-hop songs.
Let’s find out which rapper took the horse racing route, why, and what it means.
Jack Harlow and Drake Literally Went to the Derby
Okay, we have to start with the most obvious example, Drake and Jack Harlow with the song called “Churchill Downs.” Even the music video for the song shows the actual Kentucky Derby, the drama, the betting, and the overall prestigious feel of this event.
If you didn’t know, this song is named after one of the most legendary racetracks (Churchill Downs), which is where the Kentucky Derby takes place every May. You can see them hanging out in the personal VIP lounge as they watch the horses’ race down the finish line.
They are the type of artists that will most likely place a huge bet, especially Drake. But he has a lot of money to spare, and if you’re not Drake and you want to increase your winning chances, you better learn how to bet on the Kentucky Derby.
This event has always been tied to luxury, which is probably where this idea came from. On top of that, Jack Harlow comes from Kentucky, and he is a big horse racing fan, as we’ve seen him multiple times attending the big race day.
Lil Wayne Turned the Kentucky Derby Into a Metaphor
If you dig through hip-hop lyrics, Lil Wayne has one of the funniest racing references.
In the song “Curtains,” he drops a line comparing riding to the intensity of the Derby, saying someone could ride “like the Kentucky Derby.”
It’s classic Wayne. Slightly ridiculous, definitely not subtle, but memorable.
And that’s the thing about racing references in rap. They’re often exaggerated. The Derby is fast, chaotic, and dramatic, which makes it perfect material for over-the-top metaphors.
The image of a horse exploding out of the gate is instantly recognizable.
So, when a rapper uses that comparison, listeners get the point immediately.
Nicki Minaj Even Dropped a Horse Line
Even Nicki Minaj slipped horse imagery into her music.
In “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” which is a song you probably don’t remember, Nicky raps about having “700 on ’em horses.” But what does that mean? Well, it is probably a flex about power and control in a situation.
Yes, these lyrics are not exactly about horse racing, but they still carry a lot of horse racing symbolism and are surrounded by horse racing culture. After all, she mentions horses in many of her songs, maybe because she likes them, or maybe they are a perfect metaphor.
Think about it.
A horse is fast, expensive, and strong. That’s basically the same symbolism rappers use for cars, jewelry, and success.
The Song Literally Called “Horses”
Then there’s the 2017 track “Horses” by PnB Rock, Kodak Black, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.
The song itself is more about flashy cars and lifestyle flexes, but the title and imagery lean heavily into horsepower symbolism.
That’s another interesting crossover. Horsepower started with literal horses before becoming a term for car engines. Hip-hop loves fast cars, so the horse connection never really disappeared. It just evolved.
Sometimes the reference is subtle. Sometimes it’s sitting right in the title.
Even Lil Nas X Made Horses Cool Again
Of course, we can’t talk about horses in hip-hop without mentioning Lil Nas X and “Old Town Road.”
The entire song revolves around horse imagery and cowboy culture, mixing country themes with trap beats. The track became one of the biggest songs in modern music history, sitting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a record 19 weeks.
Now, technically, it’s more about cowboy life than horse racing. But still… horses, hip-hop, and massive success. It’s hard to ignore that connection.
The funny thing is that the song made horses cool again for a younger generation that probably never watched a race in their lives.
Final Thoughts
Okay, the rap scene might not be dominated by horse racing lyrics, but there are plenty of songs that took this route, and that’s exactly what makes them genius. We also have many rappers like MC Hammer, who invested in horse racing, which didn’t end well, but this shows that the sport knows no boundaries.
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