Over the years, people in the Aiken community have trained thousands of horses.
Of those, 40 are in the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, some of which have names that are exceptionally unique or distinctive.
Horses aren't generally named until they're going to a race. The process is that the owner goes before the Jockey Club and submits a name, and it's either approved or denied.
One of the names in Aiken's Racing Hall of Fame is Conquistador Cielo, who won the Belmont Stakes in 1982. In that same year, the thoroughbred won the Eclipse Award Champion Horse of the Year, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a horse.
Conquistador Cielo was elected to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in 1983.
Devil Diver is another interesting name. He was the American Champion Handicap Horse in 1943 and 1944, before being elected to the Aiken Hall of Fame in 1977 and the National Racing Hall of Fame in 1980.
Lamb Chop was also elected to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame in 1977. She won American Champion 3-year-old filly in 1963, the year in which all of Lamb Chop's major career wins occurred.
Last, but certainly not least, is Christmas Past. She won the Eclipse Award Champion 3-year-old filly in 1982, and was elected to the Aiken Hall of Fame shortly after, in 1983.
