During the ancient Olympic Games, only freeborn Greek men were allowed to compete. However, in one instance, a chariot race was won by... a horse!
This occurred in 464 BCE when the owner of the winning horse, Phidolas, was disqualified for entering the race from a non-Greek city. Despite the disqualification, the rules stated that the horses themselves were not subject to the same restrictions, so Phidolas was still declared the victor and received the olive wreath as the owner of the winning horse. This unique case highlights the cultural significance of the games and the strict rules surrounding participation.