Introducing Radiohead, the world's most alternative racehorse
Mar 20, 2010, 3:30 PM EDT

I’m sorry, but when I read the headline, “Radiohead gaining Kentucky Derby credibility,” my curiosity was piqued.
That’s right, Radiohead is a three-year-old chestnut colt. He is favored in today’s Florida Derby, which would be a significant step towards qualifying for the Kentucky Derby, the so-called “Run for the Roses.”
But what an odd name for a horse. When he heard about it, Thom Yorke’s face almost contorted into a smile. Almost.
Richard Dutrow, Jr., Radiohead’s trainer, knows horses – which is why he is a horse trainer, I suppose – and he is very impressed with Radiohead’s talent and disposition.
From The Miami Herald:
[Radiohead] was the one strutting as his stablemates strolled on a breezy afternoon at Gulfstream. The 3-year-old seemed aware of the growing buzz about him, that he is picked as one of the favorites for Saturday’s Florida Derby, that he’s gaining Kentucky Derby credibility.
“He’s a cool, happy, curious horse,” Dutrow said. “He’s very proud of himself. He’s game, you know. He’s game for an idea. He knows he’s going to have to show he can run against good horses.”
Cool? I can see. Curious? Maybe. But happy? No way. That flies right in the face of the band’s philosophy for which the horse is named. Trendsetting, dark, gloomy. Those are words much more fitting.
All I know is Radiohead’s success should be attributed to Sonic Youth. That horse taught Radiohead all he knows. Yeah, that’s a weak alternative music joke, but it’s accurate, so there.
And here’s another interesting tidbit: Radiohead’s great-grandaddy’s name was Danzig. Yeah, I don’t get the connection there, but what do I know? I actually love the Misfits. And I’m a creep.
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Radiohead gaining Kentucky Derby credibility [The Miami Herald]