Trainer John Oxley named his horse Silent Tactic after being inspired by Arthur Hancock's memoir, which features the history of racing. Silent Tactic, the offspring of Tacitus, will compete in the 2026 Kentucky Derby with 20-1 odds.
Key points
Trainer John Oxley named Silent Tactic after reading Arthur Hancock's memoir.
Silent Tactic is the offspring of Tacitus.
The horse will compete in the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Silent Tactic has 20-1 odds to win the race.
The horse will run out of the 13th gate.
Mentioned in this story
John OxleyArthur Hancock
Silent TacticTacitusKentucky Derby
Trainer John Oxley was inspired after reading fellow trainer Arthur Hancock’s memoir, Dark Horses. The book was about Hancock’s life as the son of a racing legend, Arthur “Bull” Hancock, Jr., and the grandson of the founder of Claiborne Farm, Arthur Hancock, Sr. The memoir also included 1989 Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence.
“I enjoyed reading that history of his life,” Oxley said. “... I liked the name Silence.”
When it came time to name his horse, Oxley knew he wanted silent to be part of the name. For the offspring of Tacitus, the combination of Silent Tactic came to be. And much like Sunday Silence, Silent Tactic will compete in the Kentucky Derby and look to win the 152nd Run for the Roses. Oxley’s 3-year-old colt will run out of the 13th gate and has 20-1 odds to win the race.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Silent Tactic during a morning workout April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Silent Tactic is trained by Mark Casse.
Q&A
What inspired the name Silent Tactic for the horse?
Trainer John Oxley was inspired by Arthur Hancock's memoir, which included historical insights about the racing world.
Who is the trainer of Silent Tactic?
Silent Tactic is trained by John Oxley and will be running out of the 13th gate in the Kentucky Derby.
What are the odds for Silent Tactic in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Silent Tactic has 20-1 odds to win the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Which horse is Silent Tactic's sire?
Silent Tactic is the offspring of the horse Tacitus.
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Like Silent Tactic, each horse’s name carries a background story that ranges from fictional characters and common phrases to international singers from the 1970s.
Here’s a list of the other Kentucky Derby horses and how they got their names:
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and morning line 4-1 favorite Renegade with exercise rider Nora McCormack works at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Renegade was raced five times, winning twice with multiple finishes with around $1 million in earnings. The trainer is Todd Pletcher. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. is slated to ride. April 27, 2028.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse and morning line 4-1 favorite Renegade with exercise rider Nora McCormack works at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Renegade was raced five times, winning twice with multiple finishes with around $1 million in earnings. The trainer is Todd Pletcher. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. is slated to ride. April 27, 2028.
According to an interview with Thoroughbred Daily News, when asked about the origin of Renegade’s name owner Mike Repole said, “Where do you think the name Renegade came from? You know anybody who's a renegade? We've got a crazy renegade running in these races.”
So Happy, a 2026 Kentucky Derby contender, seems to live up to his name as he relaxes after a morning workout at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Mark Glatt and has a 3-for-4 record. Jockey Mike Smith is slated to ride him.April 22, 2026
So Happy, a 2026 Kentucky Derby contender, seems to live up to his name as he relaxes after a morning workout at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Mark Glatt and has a 3-for-4 record. Jockey Mike Smith is slated to ride him.April 22, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Danon Bourbon outside the quarantine barn at Churchill Downs. The Japanese horse was bred in Kentucky by Blue Heaven Farm. He is trained by Manabu Ikezoe. April 25, 2026.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Danon Bourbon outside the quarantine barn at Churchill Downs. The Japanese horse was bred in Kentucky by Blue Heaven Farm. He is trained by Manabu Ikezoe. April 25, 2026.
Danon is the prefix used by Danox, Co., the company that owns the colt. Bourbon is the company’s way of paying homage to Kentucky, where the colt was born.
Pony rider Mike Crowder laughs while waiting with 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Wonder Dean from Japan while outrider Shane Hoodenpyle looks on at Churchill Downs. April 22, 2026
Pony rider Mike Crowder laughs while waiting with 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Wonder Dean from Japan while outrider Shane Hoodenpyle looks on at Churchill Downs. April 22, 2026
Wonder is the prefix used by owner Yoshinari Yamamoto.
Exercise rider Alejandro Galindo pets 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Intrepido on the track before a morning workout at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Jeff Mullins. The horse has earned $290,000 so far. April 22, 2026
Exercise rider Alejandro Galindo pets 2026 Kentucky Derby horse Intrepido on the track before a morning workout at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Jeff Mullins. The horse has earned $290,000 so far. April 22, 2026
According to an article from the L.A. Times, co-owner Michele Arthur wanted to name him “Intrepid,” but the name was already taken, so co-owner Ruben Islas suggested adding an "o" to the end of it.
2026 Kentucky Derby contender The Puma stands outside Barn 42 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. April 23, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby contender The Puma stands outside Barn 42 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. April 23, 2026
Gustavo Delgado, Jr.’s father, Gustavo Delgado, Sr., resembled El Puma, a famous Venezuelan singer in the 1970s. The younger Delgado decided to also carry the nickname over to his horse.
2026 Kentucky Derby contender Pavlovian passes by another Derby contender, Right To Party, during a morning workout April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Pavlovian is trained by Doug O'Neill.
2026 Kentucky Derby contender Pavlovian passes by another Derby contender, Right To Party, during a morning workout April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Pavlovian is trained by Doug O'Neill.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Right To Party works at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Kenny McPeek and is 1-for-4 so far in races; he hasn't raced at the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles. The horse will be piloted by Christopher Elliott. April 21, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Right To Party works at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Kenny McPeek and is 1-for-4 so far in races; he hasn't raced at the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles. The horse will be piloted by Christopher Elliott. April 21, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby contender Incredibolt in his stall at Trainer Riley Mott's barn at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Pin Oak Stud won the Virginia Derby. April 20, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby contender Incredibolt in his stall at Trainer Riley Mott's barn at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Pin Oak Stud won the Virginia Derby. April 20, 2026
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - APRIL 25: Fulleffort is washed in the barn area after morning workouts ahead of the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - APRIL 25: Fulleffort is washed in the barn area after morning workouts ahead of the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 25, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
St. Elias Stables owner Vinnie Viola selected the name because it’s a common phrase he uses. “It reflects a mindset of accountability and consistency, and it felt especially fitting for a colt who shows up and gives his all every time he trains and competes,” Starlight Racing director of marketing and partner relations Elinor Wolf told The Courier Journal.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Emerging Market works out with rider Luis Ortiz Trinidad at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Chad Brown and has earned $600,000 so far in his career. The three-year-old is 2-for-2 in races, with both run on fast dirt. April 21, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Emerging Market works out with rider Luis Ortiz Trinidad at Churchill Downs. The horse is trained by Chad Brown and has earned $600,000 so far in his career. The three-year-old is 2-for-2 in races, with both run on fast dirt. April 21, 2026
Owner Seth Klarman names all his horses after business terms.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Potente on the track during morning workouts at Churchill Downs. Trainer is Bob Baffert. Potente has won two of his three races so far. April 25, 2026.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Potente on the track during morning workouts at Churchill Downs. Trainer is Bob Baffert. Potente has won two of his three races so far. April 25, 2026.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - APRIL 26: Chief Wallabee, with jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, trains on the track during morning workouts ahead of the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 26, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - APRIL 26: Chief Wallabee, with jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, trains on the track during morning workouts ahead of the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on April 26, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
2026 Kentucky Derby contender Commandment with assistant trainer and exercise rider Katie Tolbert during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The horse is trained by Brad Cox. The horse has won four of his five races, earning more than $1 million. April 23, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby contender Commandment with assistant trainer and exercise rider Katie Tolbert during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The horse is trained by Brad Cox. The horse has won four of his five races, earning more than $1 million. April 23, 2026
Case Clay, who owns a thoroughbred management company, purchased the yearling for Wathnan Racing, which is based in Qatar. The company’s office emailed the name to Clay, who thought, “I hope this is a really good horse because this is a really good name.”
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Further Ado with exercise rider Jonathan Santiago during a morning workout April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Further Ado has raced six times and won three of those races, earning $1,146,328.
2026 Kentucky Derby horse Further Ado with exercise rider Jonathan Santiago during a morning workout April 23, 2026 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Further Ado has raced six times and won three of those races, earning $1,146,328.
Was named after the phrase, “without further ado.”
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special 7:15 a.m. training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer. April 24, 2026.
A crowd gathers to watch as 2026 Kentucky Derby contender Six Speed walks in circles before the special 7:15 a.m. training time for Derby and Oaks horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The horse is trained by Bhupat Seamer. April 24, 2026.
Was already named when the current ownership group — Brunetti Dugan Stables; Black Type Thoroughbreds (Jake Ballis); Steve Adkisson; Swinbank Stables (Reagan Swinbank) — purchased him in Dubai.
2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful Litmus Test, ridden by Martin Garcia, works during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Bob Baffert-trained horse is currently at No. 21 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. April 23, 2026
2026 Kentucky Derby hopeful Litmus Test, ridden by Martin Garcia, works during morning training at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Bob Baffert-trained horse is currently at No. 21 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. April 23, 2026
Dam is Study Hard.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit atacubit@gannett.comand follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
