The Budweiser Clydesdales And The St. Louis Cardinals Share A Decades-Long Connection
The Budweiser Clydesdales and baseball’s Opening Day go together like biscuits and gravy. For decades now, the beloved horses have shared a connection to their hometown team, the St. Louis Cardinals.
As the official MLB website details, the Cardinals and the Clydesdales first became associated when Anheuser-Busch bought the Cardinals in 1953. Still, it took roughly 20 more years before the Clydesdales became part of the Opening Day traditions.
The horses started appearing at Busch Stadium in the 1970s, as the Cardinals desired to make Opening Day more of a “spectacle” for their fans.
The Cardinals’ fans welcomed the Clydesdales, and they’re now a beloved part of the team’s Opening Day traditions. But beyond making a simple appearance, the horses also take to the field.
For many years now, the Clydesdales, with their famous red wagon in tow, take a lap around the warning track to kick off Opening Day. The crowd stares in awe as the horses tow the wagon—and their Dalmatian buddy—around the field.
View this post on Instagram
RELATED: MEET THE CLYDESDALE FOAL WHO STARRED IN BUDWEISER’S COMMERICAL FOR SUPER BOWL LIX
The MLB website describes how the right field gates at the past two Busch Stadiums were modified so the Clydesdales could fit through them to take their Opening Day lap.
Watch The Clydesdales Take To The Field On Opening Day In 2025
Of course, not all of the Cardinals’ fans can make it to Busch Stadium for Opening Day.
Thankfully, the Cardinals share a video of the Clydesdales’ entrance online. That way, fans can see the horses’ ceremonial lap from the comfort of their own home. Even those who aren’t Cardinals fans love watching the horses circle around the stadium!
The Cardinals’ official Facebook page shared a brief clip of the Clydesdales’ Opening Day lap on March 27, 2025.
According to a report from St. Louis-based news station KSDK, it may have been a good thing the team shared a video of the horses’ entrance online. Rain delayed the game and affected some of the opening ceremonies.
Due to rain in the St. Louis area, the start of today’s game will be delayed. First pitch is TBD.
We plan to proceed with all Opening Day ceremonies prior to the game.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 27, 2025
The Clydesdales still managed to make their entrance around 2:25 PM local time. The National Baseball and Cardinals Hall of Famers convertible motorcade was supposed to follow, but didn’t.
According to comments on the video of the Clydesdales, some spectators missed their entrance because they were taking shelter from the weather.
“You gave us a 2 minute warning and then the music started and they came out. 80% of fans were in the the concourse and didn’t get to see them!”
“Disappointed to have driven so far only to miss them.”
“Very disappointed! A 2 min warning in the packed stadium and pouring rain was not fair to fans who paid to be here!”
Others were happy to see the horses still managed to make an appearance:
“Heard the music and ran to the first opening I could get too! Disappointed they didn’t make an announcement we could hear but thrilled I saw them.”
“Wouldn’t be opening day without them!!”
“So great! Glad my son and his family got to see them today! So beautiful.”
Check out the video below to watch the Clydesdales take their Opening Day lap at Busch Stadium.