Prancing Horse Emblem

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Francesco Baracca first used the symbol in 1917 when his squadron allowed personal insignia. He claimed the design honored a cavalry regiment he joined in 1692, though he altered the original silver horse to black for better visibility on his plane. While rumors suggest the emblem was red or derived from a Stuttgart kill mark, historical records and the Museo Francesco Baracca confirm it was black during his lifetime. After Baracca died, his family incorporated the horse into their coat of arms. A 1929 pamphlet even depicted it with an upturned tail within a shield, closely resembling Ferrari's future design. Enzo Ferrari adopted the symbol nine years after meeting the family, citing admiration for Baracca and a love for Giovanni Pascoli's poem 'La cavalla storna' as his motivations.

In Their Own Story

In 1945, seeking an emblem for his new car business, Enzo Ferrari collaborated with Milan engraver Eligio Gerosa to refine the design. Enzo insisted on avoiding curves because they reminded him of Bugatti grilles and mandated that the horse always face left. The resulting rectangular logo debuted in 1947 alongside the Ferrari 125 S. This new version featured an anatomically impossible upward-facing tail, a deliberate departure from Baracca's original downward-tail design. The shield variant, featuring the Italian tricolour above and 'SF' below, was reserved for racing activities. Despite post-war efforts by Ferrari to downplay the fascist-era mythos surrounding Baracca, the symbol remained deeply tied to the cultural landscape of speed and sacrifice that defined Italy at the time.

Reader's Guide

The Prancing Horse appears in two primary forms: a shield with the Italian tricolour and 'SF' initials, or a rectangle replacing 'SF' with the word 'Ferrari.' Both versions have been used since 1947 with no major changes. The yellow background represents Modena, Enzo's hometown. Enthusiasts can spot these variations on fenders of road cars or in the global icons like the 65-meter-long logo on Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's roof. Even beyond automotive circles, the symbol inspired Fabio Taglioni at Ducati, who used the Ferrari-redesigned horse until 1961 as a tribute to Baracca following his father's service alongside the ace. The North American Racing Team also adapted the emblem, swapping the tricolour for the American flag.

Did You Know?

• Francesco Baracca changed the original cavalry regiment's silver horse to black so it would stand out more against his plane's fuselage.
• Enzo Ferrari directed engraver Eligio Gerosa to avoid curves in the new logo because they reminded him of Bugatti grilles.
• The horse in Ferrari's version has an upward-facing tail, which is anatomically incorrect as a real horse cannot raise its tail while on its hind legs.
• Fabio Taglioni at Ducati used the same emblem until 1961 after receiving permission from Baracca's mother, the same woman who gave Enzo Ferrari the rights.
• The world's largest Prancing Horse logo covers 3,000 square meters on the roof of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.