Why do we get Souvenirs when we travel to a unique place? Is there something more to it than just a fridge magnet? Well, these souvenirs resemble memories, and every time we look at them we are reminded of our fun time in a random place back in the past. So, they serve as a memory lockers, but instead of putting your images on a hard drive, you put your memories in a souvenir.
We collect souvenirs from cities we travel to or events that we are passionate about – like horse racing.
There is something about holding a faded Kentucky Derby program or a jockey’s autographed photo. It feels like you are gripping a piece of history. Going on such a special race, where not many people get a chance to do that in their life, and diving into the best horse bets is very special, and the best way to highlight the moment is by getting a souvenir.
Horse racing souvenirs are not just random stuff, they resemble a connection to the Sport of Kings and express your passion.
But instead of going for the regular refrigerator magnets, let’s highlight some unique souvenirs that people love from the horse racing industry.
Jockey Silks and Saddle Cloths
I don’t think there is a better souvenir than getting jockey silk or saddle clothes. It sounds ridiculous, but this is the most memorable thing you can take home. Thes sweat soaked silks or saddle cloth are often auctioned for charity and are collector’s dream.
Why? Well, they hold a lot of value and are quite important for the horse racing community. For example. Walter Swinburn’s silks from Shergar’s 1981 Derby win were sold for $12,600 and saddle cloths worn by Point Given in the 2000 Hollywood Futurity sold on eBay for $1,375.
The only thing is that these souvenirs are difficult to get. It’s not like you can go to a horse racing event and buy the jockeys outfit right after the race. They usually go to auction houses, so have to be patient and scout them all to find a deal.
Racing Plates
A horseshoe might seem humble, but when it’s a racing plate worn by a legend like Red Rum, it’s pure gold. Red Rum’s plate from his 1977 Grand National win, his third, was listed for $11,461 by Paul Fraser Collectibles, a nod to its historic weight.
These lightweight aluminum shoes, shaped to a horse’s hoof, are often gifted to owners or sold post-race, carrying the scuffs of a victory lap.
Collectors chase plates from Triple Crown winners like Secretariat or American Pharoah, especially if authenticated with a certificate. Check sites like Lelands or LiveAuctioneers for deals, and mount one on a plaque for your den. It’s like holding the thunder of a champion’s gallop, a tangible link to a day when everything clicked.
Kentucky Derby Glasses
Every year since 1939, the Kentucky Derby has served its mint juleps in commemorative glasses, and collectors go wild for them.
A 1940 glass, one of the rarest, sold for $15,000 on eBay, while a 1958 one grabbed $88.
These glasses, etched with race details, are like time capsules—each one tells the story of a year, a horse, a moment. You can find newer ones for $10-20 at Churchill Downs gift shops or Etsy, but the older, the pricier. Hunt for sets from the 1940s or 1970s at estate sales, and stack them in a bar cart for a touch of Derby flair. Sipping from one might feel like toasting Seabiscuit’s era, with the clink of glass echoing the starting gate.
Programs and Tickets
A crumpled race program or ticket stub might look like trash to some, but to collectors, it’s a portal to the past. A 1933 Kentucky Derby ticket stub sold for $500 in 2016, while a 1973 Secretariat Triple Crown program set can go for thousands at Lelands.
These paper keepsakes, often tucked away in attics, capture the raw excitement of a race day—names like Man O’ War or Affirmed scrawled across them.
eBay’s a hotspot for programs from the Preakness or Belmont Stakes, and specialist auctions like Sotheby’s occasionally drop rare finds. Frame a set with a photo of the winning horse, and you’ve got a wall piece that screams racetrack nostalgia. It’s the kind of treasure that makes you feel the crowd’s roar.
Art and Photos
Horse racing’s beauty—those sleek Thoroughbreds flying over fences or surging to the wire—has inspired artists and photographers for centuries.
A signed Secretariat lithograph by Richard Stone Reeves, numbered 109/850, is a collector’s dream, fetching high bids at Lelands, while action shots of Seabiscuit, autographed by owner C.S. Howard, are prized finds. Look for 19th-century prints, like an 1888 Currier & Ives Futurity Race piece, or modern works by artists like Robert Lougheed, available at LiveAuctioneers.
Etsy’s got affordable framed photos, some under $50, perfect for a home office. These pieces don’t just decorate—they pull you into the race, hooves pounding, as if you’re leaning over the rail. Hang one, and you’re living the legacy.
You should also check your grandparent’s basement, especially if they were horse racing fans. Who knows, maybe you can find something really valuable that holds special place in history.
