US Jockey Club Orders Racehorse Austrian Painter Renamed Over Hitler 2026

The US Jockey Club has ordered racehorse Austrian Painter to be renamed after determining the name was a reference to Adolf Hitler. The two-year-old colt won its debut race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Monday, but the victory was overshadowed by controversy over its name.

Why the Name Austrian Painter Sparked Controversy

The name Austrian Painter is widely used online as a euphemism for Adolf Hitler, who was born in Austria and worked as a painter in Vienna before World War I. The term allows people to discuss Hitler without triggering content moderation filters. The Jockey Club received a formal complaint about the name and immediately launched an investigation.

Scott Herbertson, the horse's owner and breeder, claimed on social media that the name referred to Austrian artist Gustav Klimt. However, the Jockey Club ruled that the name was ineligible under Rule 6.F.9.d, which prohibits names that "are likely to be offensive or threatening based upon factors including, but not limited to, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, or national origin."

The Jockey Club's Decision and New Name

The Jockey Club announced that Austrian Painter would be renamed Merrylegs. Additionally, the horse's full sister, New Order, must also be renamed. The name New Order can refer to the British rock band or to Nazi Germany's plan for an occupied Europe. Herbertson defended the name, writing on social media: "New order is my favoured band you lune."

The Jockey Club's action underscores its commitment to maintaining respectful and non-offensive naming conventions in horse racing. The registry acted swiftly after receiving the complaint, demonstrating that it takes such matters seriously.

Key Takeaways

• The US Jockey Club ordered the renaming of racehorse Austrian Painter due to a Hitler reference.
• The name is a common online euphemism for Adolf Hitler.
• The horse's owner claimed the name referred to Gustav Klimt, but the Jockey Club disagreed.
• The horse's sister, New Order, must also be renamed.
• The new name for Austrian Painter is Merrylegs.

Comparison of Names and Their References

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