Secretariat, Frankel and the top 10 race horses in history - in pictures

We pick the best equines that have graced the sport

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  Secretariat (foaled in 1970). Demolished his rivals by 31 lengths in the Belmont Stakes to complete the Triple Crown. Popularly known as ‘Big Red’, the American Hall of Famer won 16 of his 21 career starts. Widely regarded as one of the top three race horses of all time and got his own Hollywood movie. Getty Images

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  Mill Reef (1968). His campaign was highlighted by winning both the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Bred in the USA and raced in the UK, he won 12 of his 14 starts and was runner-up twice. Getty

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  Brigadier Gerard (1968). Was successful in 17 of his 18 career starts and runner-up in the other. The 1972 British Horse of the Year, he won the 2000 Guineas in an epic clash over 'rival' Mill Reef in 1971. Getty

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  Frankel (2008). The king of modern racing. The European champion was undefeated in 14 starts, which included 10 Group 1 prizes. Frankel, the son of Galileo, was the highest rated thoroughbred in the world at 147 from May 2011. Getty

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  Black Caviar (2006). The Australian Hall of Famer mare won 15 Group 1 prizes and was undefeated in 25 starts. She was named the WTRR (World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings) champion sprinter four years in a row from 2010. Getty

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  Cigar (1990). He lived up to his top billing by winning the inaugural Dubai World Cup. He became a star performer after switching to the dirt surface to win 16 consecutive races. Getty

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  American Pharoah (2012). The first horse to win the American Grand Slam of thoroughbred racing by becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner and the Breeder’s Cup Classic champion. He won the 2015 Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. Reuters

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  Arkle (1957). His career was highlighted by a hat-trick at the Cheltenham Gold Cup (1964-1966). The Irish-bred son of Archive had an extraordinary ability to carry heavier weights and never fell. Getty

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  Red Rum (1965). The only horse to win the Grand National three times to date. He was successful in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and was runner up in-between. A horse suited for a thorough test of stamina. Getty

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  Desert Orchid (1979). Dessie, as he was affectionately nicknamed, was one of the most lovable steeple chasers in Britain. He won 34 of his 70 races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Irish Grand National. Reuters

We have a fair bit of idea about the best footballers, tennis players and cricketers of all time. But have you given any thought to the best race horses in history? They are participants in sport after all.

And just like other sports, it is always challenging to compare thoroughbred race horses from different eras.

It is even harder to narrow it down to 10 all-time equine luminaries because there is no objective system to measure the abilities of different generations of race horses in an industry that spans more than three centuries.

Even so, we have tried to compile a list of top 10 race horses of the modern era based on the number of Group/Grade 1 victories and the legacy they have left behind.

Above is a picture gallery of the top 10 race horses. To view the next image, click on the arrows or simply swipe. Horses placed in no particular order.