Struggling to name your racehorse? We might just have the answer

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Naming racehorses is a tricky business. There is often a desire to make it personal, to reflect the majesty of these great creatures or to link it in some clever way to the sire or dam. People rarely settle on first names, as much as I'd love to see a Jonathan over fences.

To take away some of the pressure, the US Jockey Club has introduced a new AI tool, which owners can use to generate a name based on words of their choosing or a foal's pedigree. It is a cool idea, notwithstanding my own fears about artificial intelligence taking over the world, based almost exclusively on The Terminator.

In the name of science, and due to having too much free time, I decide to generate a racehorse name using ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, whatever that means. I begin with a simple question: I have just bought a racehorse, can you come up with a name?

After congratulating me on my purchase (nice touch), my new digital mate lists a few ideas: Velocity Vixen, Blaze Of Glory, Majestic Storm and Champion's Quest. However, the system chooses Thunderstrike, which has a "strong, powerful vibe". 

It is a decent sales pitch but given I'm hoping to hypothetically buy a Derby winner (always aim high), I want to follow the lead of Coolmore and go with something historical, like City Of Troy or Galileo. "I love that idea" says ChatGPT, before throwing out what you might call a mixed bag of names, including Winston Churchill, Genghis Khan and Abraham Lincoln. It would certainly make for an interesting dinner party but I cannot say I'm sold on any of them.

City Of Troy: can Napoleon's Charge follow in the Derby winner's footsteps?Credit: Edward Whitaker

Facing the near impossible task of choosing between such gems as Cleopatra's Jewel, Boudica's Fury and Aristotle's Wisdom, I ask ChatGPT which name it prefers. Within five seconds it settles on Napoleon's Charge, said to bring to mind "ambition and decisive action". These are two qualities a Derby winner would require, it concludes, displaying a promising interest in bloodstock.

That gives me plenty of food for thought and I begin to wonder what else ChatGPT can help me with. I then ask which trainer I should send my Derby prospect to and who should ride them. It suggests Richard Hannon, known for training Churchill (wrong), and John Velazquez, known for partnering Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (also wrong). The system is not flawless, it turns out.

I press on regardless and when requested to make a decision for me ChatGPT chooses Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, recognising the link between the two. They sound like two sensible options so I explain that I plan to give them a call as soon as we finish chatting.

I then ask ChatGPT what colour silks to go with. It has numerous suggestions, each of which is accompanied with a ridiculous explanation. Gold and black is the computer's preference, which it claims is a "regal and bold combo" that conveys "power and sophistication". A perfect fit for the owner, I hear you cry. It then asks if I would be interested in something a bit more unique.

There is obviously only one answer to that question. Of course I would. The results are excellent. Midnight blue with a silver lightning bolt and sunset orange with black waves would certainly catch the eye in the winner's enclosure but the clubhouse leader is crimson with gold flames on the sleeves, which Moore would love.

Ryan Moore: could be seen sporting some interesting silks thanks to ChatGPTCredit: Edward Whitaker

Having wasted an unhealthy amount of time talking to AI, I ask whether it would be interested in buying a leg in my future Derby contender. After all, they do not come cheap and I can't imagine O'Brien would train him simply out of the kindness of his heart.

"As much as I'd love to join, I'm afraid I'll have to pass on this adventure," the system replies, letting me down delicately. "But I'll be rooting for you and your champion every step of the way." 

Ouch. So, what have we learned? Well, it is easy to see why AI could be a useful tool for helping to name a racehorse, once you bin some of the weird suggestions, just don't expect it to put its non-existent hands in its non-existent pockets to help you to buy one.

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The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today