Does anyone have a list of duplicate horse names used in Aus/NZ racing? For example, there are two horses named "Ready to Rule" that are running presently: one in Queensland, one in New Zealand. I just happened to stumble over the fact when investigating a time that looked bogus. Were I using a database and searching via name, the two sets of horse's results would be conflated into one.

If no-one has a list (or feels inclined to share) how would I find these dupes? Is a registry with public/free access kept someplace?

And I just recalled that It's A Dundeel was known simply as "Dundeel" in New Zealand. Do you just have to be in the right place at the right time to hear about these changes? Or is there some means to discover it retrospectively?

I also gather you can't reuse an unrestricted horse name for a number of years after it's left racing or breeding. Do people running a database do some maintenance where, if a horse hasn't contested a race in 5 years, they change its name to "Dundeel (year)", for example, to guard against future duplication?

This only goes back a month or so not much use for past but something to check regularly in the future?

http://risa.com.au/RoR/RenamedHorses.aspx

The example you gave 'Ready to Rule' - The Kiwi horse should be known as 'Ready to Rule (NZ)' by your data supplier

You could also distinguish them by their dam and sire.

If it's a champion racehorse or Melbourne Cup winner, you're not allowed to use those names again. For example, you can't have another Phar Lap, Tulloch, Kingston Town, Makybe Diva, Black Caviar etc.

With just a regular horse, I think there's a 17 year time limit before you can use that name again.

Australian Rule of Racing
"Except with the approval of the Registrar, a name cannot be repeated for 17 years after the birth of a horse with the same name or for 20 years after the birth of the youngest named produce of a horse with the same name"

Also since 2005 the winner of the Cox Plate have name protection

As per New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing

•A name cannot be reused until 15 years has elapsed since the foaling of a similar named horse.
•Names for broodmares cannot be used again until 12 years has elapsed since that name last appeared in a Volume of the Stud Book.
•Names of winners of Group One races are protected.
•Name of a Stallion cannot be used until 15 years after it last appeared in a studbook.

•If you are naming an Australian-bred horse the name must also be approved by the Australian authority.