For almost 50 years, the essence of Murray State University’s football team has been captured by its living mascot, Racer One.
The role of the galloping gray mare from the western Kentucky institution and her rider has been handed down multiple times throughout the years.
It all began in 1976 when Murray State student jockey Carol Robertson rode a gray thoroughbred named Violet Cactus around the track at Roy Stewart Stadium during a game against Southeast Missouri State University. This victory lap was intended to celebrate a home team touchdown, marking the start of a cherished tradition.
Violet Cactus served as Racer One for ten years until her passing in 1984. The original Racer One is buried near the north end zone of Roy Stewart Stadium. Since then, 19 horses have taken on the Racer One role, supported by 39 student jockeys.
Dr. Shea Porr serves as the associate dean of the Hudson School of Agriculture and is the chair of the animal and equine science department at Murray State University. She also manages the Racer One program.
“I believe this sets us apart,” Porr stated. “Very few schools feature a live mascot, and even fewer have a horse.”
While many institutions that had live mascots in the 1960s and 1970s have replaced them with costumed students—like MSU’s own Dunker—there are still numerous schools that uphold this tradition, which began with Ivy League schools such as Yale and Princeton. These mascots come in various forms, including Smokey the bluetick coonhound at the University of Tennessee, Bevo the longhorn at the University of Texas, and Ace, the falcon who performs at Air Force football games.
The pressures of public performance can be just as challenging for live mascots as they are for humans. Consequently, not just any horse can qualify as Racer One. Porr explained that there are some key criteria for what makes a suitable Racer One horse.
“We look for a horse that can handle being alone in various situations,” Porr said. “[They must be] comfortable with a lot of noise, activity, and circumstances that are unusual for horses.”
Potential Racer One candidates even participate in marching band rehearsals to gauge their reaction to loud sounds. Additionally, Porr noted that it’s ideal for Racer One to be a gray mare, similar to the one mentioned in Murray State University’s fight song.
Currently, the role of Racer One is filled by a flea-bitten gray thoroughbred named Vegas. This equine mascot stands at 16 hands tall (or 5’9″), weighs just over 1,300 pounds, and has a speckled gray coat. Notably, Vegas is the first Racer One to be born and raised on Murray State’s farms.
His handlers describe Vegas as “quirky” and a “lazy jumper,” but he changes completely when he puts on the traditional Racer blue and gold for a game.
“His personality shifts; he adopts this celebrity mindset,” said Emily Brow, a senior in agricultural sciences who helps care for Racer One. “As soon as that mask goes on, he knows ‘I am Racer One’ and it’s time for the show.”
Every racer needs a jockey, and for Vegas, that’s Madison Presley, a senior majoring in equine business at Murray State.
The student jockey confessed there were some initial doubts about whether their partnership would succeed.
“At first, I wasn’t sure because he could be a bit pushy at times,” Presley noted. “But I really got to know his personality, and he’s actually very friendly.”
Through her experience with Racer One, Presley has been able to pursue her passion for raising awareness about equine literacy. She finds great joy in facilitating personal moments between people and the iconic horse.
Porr emphasized that the Racer One program aims to showcase a unique collegiate tradition while providing opportunities for personal interactions with horses.
“The purpose of this program is not just to involve students with horses but also to help them grasp the principles of PR and marketing,” Porr explained. “The meaningful experiences people have—like getting to pet the horse and take pictures—are memories they will cherish forever.”
Murray State’s home game against Butler University this Saturday will be the first time Presley and Vegas run the track after a touchdown. It marks Vegas’s sixth season as Racer One, but it’s Presley’s debut in the saddle—she comes from a family of Racers and has been riding since she was seven.
“I feel like I’m continuing that legacy, and being the jockey makes it even more special,” Presley shared. “Murray is all about traditions and legacies.”
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