| Kelso | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Your Host |
| Grandsire | Alibhai |
| Dam | Maid of Flight |
| Damsire | Count Fleet |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1957 |
| Country | United States |
| Color | Dark Bay |
| Breeder | Bohemia Stable |
| Owner | Bohemia Stable |
| Trainer | Dr. John Lee Carl Hanford |
| Rider | Bill Hartack |
| Record | 63: 39–12–2 |
| Earnings | $1,977,896 |
| Major wins | |
| Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (1960) Jockey Club Gold Cup (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964) Suburban Handicap (1961, 1963) Woodward Stakes (1961, 1962, 1963) Whitney Stakes (1961, 1963, 1965) Aqueduct Handicap (1963, 1964) Gulfstream Park Handicap (1963) John B. Campbell Handicap (1963) Nassau County Handicap (1963) Seminole Handicap (1963) Washington, D.C. International Stakes (1964) | |
| Awards | |
| Outstanding U.S. 3-Year-Old Male Horse (1960) 3rd New York Handicap Triple Crown (1961) U.S. Champion Older Male Horse (1961–1964) U.S. Horse of the Year (5 times, 1960–1964) | |
| Honors | |
| U.S. Racing Hall of Hame (1967) Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame (1977) #4 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century Kelso Stakes at Belmont Park | |
Kelso (April 4, 1957 – October 16, 1983) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is considered one of the greatest racehorses in history. He ranks fourth on the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century. He defeated more champions and Hall of Fame horses than any other racehorse, and he often carried great handicaps. Some of the champions he defeated are Carry Back, Gun Bow, Bald Eagle, Tompion, Never Bend, Beau Purple, Quadrangle, Roman Brother, Crimson Satan, Jaipur, Ridan and Pia Star.