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Kincsem, the unbeatable wonder filly, was a thoroughbred English racehorse bred in Hungary and the pride of Hungarian horseracing and breeding. Thanks to her sporting success, she was famous around the world, winning all 54 of her races in Hungary and other European countries. One of her most memorable victories came on 1 August 1878 in Goodwood (England), where she triumphed easily despite the difficult track conditions. Another remarkable win came just barely one month later at Baden-Baden (Germany) on 9 September 1878: after the first race ended in a dead heat, all of the rivals lined up for another heat, in accordance with the rules at that time. Kincsem won the deciding heat by five lengths.
Kincsem was born on 17 March 1874 at the stud of Ernő Blaskovich. Along with her calm nature, the secret to her string of victories was her extraordinary physical attributes and a training programme tailored to her individual characteristics, which was worked out by her trainer, Robert Hesp. Kincsem’s success was also supported by her favourite black-and-white feline friend, who was an inseparable companion in her races and travels.
Kincsem competed between the ages of two and five, but due to injury Blaskovich then decided to give up racing and leverage her outstanding traits as a breeding mare in Kisbér, where Kincsem later produced five foals. The unbeaten wonder filly died on her birthday at the age of 13. Her trainer, Robert Hesp, only outlived her by 39 days, dying on 25 April 1887.
To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Kincsem, the Magyar Nemzeti Bank is issuing a 15,000-forint silver commemorative coin entitled “Kincsem” on 12 March 2024.
The front of the coin shows a portrait of a four-year-old Kincsem with a laurel wreath around her neck, based on a drawing by the painter Adam Emil which includes exact dimensions. The rosette on the wreath bears the circular legend “54 futamon 54 győzelem” (54 races 54 victories), with the number “54” in the middle, denoting Kincsem’s amazing record. The front also contains the mandatory elements: the legend MAGYARORSZÁG, the denomination 15000 or 3000 FORINT, the mint date 2024 and the mint mark BP., along with the master mark of the coin’s designer, Gábor Kereszthury.
The back of the coin shows a full-body image of Kincsem based on the 1878 painting by Adam Emil, highlighting her outstanding physical qualities. Ernő Blaskovich is portrayed next to Kincsem, with the filly’s darling cat at her feet. The composition is completed with the legend “KINCSEM” along with the occasion for the coin’s issuance, “150 ÉVE SZÜLETETT A MAGYAR CSODAKANCA” (The Hungarian Wonder Filly, born 150 years ago).
Denomination Quality Metal Issue limit Diameter Weight
15000 HUF Proof .925 silver 5,000 39.6 x 26.4 mm 31.46 g
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