SYDNEY (AFP) - Young gelding Horsey McHorseface, named in tribute to Britain's Boaty McBoatface, has broken through for his first win.

The New Zealand-bred horse, a cult favourite with its own Twitter account, galloped to victory at Cessnock in Australia on Monday, Sky Racing reported.

"He's done it! The people's horse Horsey McHorseface breaks through for his maiden win at #Cessnock," it tweeted.

Trained by Bjorn Baker at Sydney's Warwick Farm racetrack, the three-year-old's name is a play on Boaty McBoatface, the joke moniker that the public backed when British authorities sought a suggested name for a new polar research ship.

Not surprisingly, authorities opted instead to name the ship the Sir David Attenborough after the legendary wildlife presenter.

Racing authorities usually weed out obscene or risque suggestions but there is a long history of mischievous names designed to give fast-talking racing commentators a hard time.

Former Liverpool football players Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman owned a thoroughbred called Some Horse, then bought a second and named it Another Horse, according to the BBC.

The website greatbritishracing.com lists a variety of names, including Star Wars-themed Maythehorsebewithu, Passing Wind, Hoof Hearted and the piratical AARRRRRR.