1976 Great American Horse Race won by a mule

Lord Fauntleroy—“Leroy” for short—was the choice steed of Virl Norton, a steeplejack from San Jose, California. Along with their many rivals, Norton, Leroy, and his backup mule, Lady Eloise, were set to travel 3,500 miles through 13 states for the “Great American Horse Race.” They would challenge history, expectations, and a whole lot of fancy horses.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-1976-great-american-horse-race-was-won-by-a-mule-named-lord-fauntleroy

 Link at knuckledraggin.com