Getting in the mood for a day at the races typically takes very little for horse racing enthusiasts. However, putting together a playlist full of songs that are tailored to equine stars could be an excellent way to get pumped up for winning money on major races such as the Kentucky Derby.

There are more songs to mention that are related to horse racing in some capacity, but what are some of the options that must be included in any playlist related to the sport that will get you in the mood for a day at the track?

Call To The Post- Angela Bartley

There are perhaps few better songs to start a playlist for horse racing fans than a ‘Call to the Post’ by Angela Bartley.

It will immediately get you in the mood for the opening race of the race, as a call to the post is what it is called when horses are getting into their starting positions for the race in which they are running. This is the ideal song to listen while doing your daily online horse racing betting.

Fugue For Tinhorns- Guys and Rolls Musical

Let It Ride is a very popular film to get in the mood for a day at the races, and for anybody that has seen the flick, they will be aware that ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’ opens and closes the film.

The song has deep roots to horse racing, with real-life stakes champion Equipoise named in the song. Go Man Go is also named in the horse, with the World Champion Quarter Running Horse in action between 1955 and 1957 in real life.

My Old Kentucky Home- Stephen Foster

‘My Old Kentucky Home’ has deep roots to the Kentucky Derby and is a must for all racing related playlists.

The song was written and performed by Stephen Foster in 1852, and it was named as the official Kentucky State song in the 1980s. It has played an important role in composition for song writing throughout history, and many revisions have been released since Foster’s.

Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen

A song that clearly defines what thoroughbreds are born to do was released by Bruce Springsteen in 1975.

The song has a close association to horse racing, and is featured heavily on playlists when at the racetrack for the biggest days on the calendar. The song gave Springsteen his first top 40 hot, and peaked at number 23 in the Billboard Hot 100.

Where The Turf Meets The Surf- Bing Crosby

Bing Crosby has a very close association to horse racing after playing important roles in the sport’s success in California. His love for racing was evident in his 1841 release of ‘Where The Turf Meets The Surf’.

The track is all about Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and is a must listen for all fans heading to the Breeders’ Cup in 2025. The song plays heavily on racedays at both Del Mar and Santa Anita throughout the season, ensuring that his presence lives on within the sport in North America.

Cheltenham- Various Jockeys

In 2010, the Cheltenham Festival looked to heighten the excitement levels ahead of the big four-day meet when recording a version of Petula Clark’s ‘Downtown’.

The lyrics were reimaged for those attending the racing meeting in the Cotswolds, with the words focusing on what Racegoers will be doing on their way to the track. Cheltenham performed well in the lead up to the Festival in 2010, and it raised a lot of money for the Injured Jockeys Fund alongside other charities.

Bottle of Smoke- The Pogues

The Pogues featured horse racing angles into their songs throughout their history, with ‘Fairytale of New York’ mentioning a winning selection on the racing.

‘Bottle of Smoke’ follows a very similar pattern, as it is a story about an imaginary horse that goes on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup at odds of 25/1. Any winner at those odds on the race track is never a bad feeling.

The Ballad of Ruby Walsh- Christy Moore

At some point of another, every bettor in the UK and Ireland have relied on a Ruby Walsh winner to get them out of trouble when betting. ‘The Ballad of Ruby Walsh’ is a song by Christy Moore than highlights the love of racing whether is be at Limerick, Galway, or Cheltenham.

The song pokes fun at some aspects of racing, but shows the magic and charm of a big day at the track.

Both Ends Burning- Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson released ‘Both Ends Burning’ in the 1980s, and it is a song about a horse overcoming huge odds to achieve their race of winning race.

The song follows a horse that is forced to recover from a broken leg, with few giving it the chance of coming back to win. The song follows the horse as it makes a full recovery and defying all expectations.