HMS Racehorse was a Royal Navy 18-gun Cruizer-class brig-sloop built by Hamilton & Breeds and launched in 1806 at Hastings.

[1] Racehorse was among the vessels that detained the Danish ships Die Twende Softre on 28 August, and Swannen on 7 September.

[a] On 2 March 1808 Racehorse captured the French privateer lugger Amiral Gantheaume off the Seven Islands, which are 16 miles west of Behat.

In 1847 the Admiralty authorized the issuance of the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Off Tamatave 20 May 1811" to the remaining survivors of that action.

[h] On 15 August 1813 Racehorse sailed from the Cape of Good Hope as escort to several vessels, including Rambler bound for St Helena and Britain.

[17] Boats from Racehorse took a number of the crew to shore, and five intrepid local men made four trips out and back to rescue more.

[16] The subsequent court martial reprimanded the Master, Henry Hodder, for failing to take constant depth soundings, and warned him to be more careful in the future.

The court martial severely reprimanded the pilot, William Edwards, for sailing too close to land, and mulcted him of all pay due.

[18] Whilst the author indicates that RNLI founder Sir William Hillary was not present at this particular event, living elsewhere on the Isle of Man, she argues that the shipwreck was undoubtedly a significant contributing factor to his desire to set up a national lifesaving organisation.