The 1958 Kentucky Derby-winning horse that inspired Arnott’s Tim Tam name was Tim Tam.
Tim Tam was a bay colt bred and owned by Calumet Farm. He won the 84th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 1958, ridden by jockey Ismael Valenzuela and trained by Horace A. Jones. The victory supplied the memorable name for Arnott’s planned chocolate biscuit.
Arnott’s introduced Tim Tam in Australia on September 10, 1964. The biscuit was developed after Arnott’s food technologist Ian Norris encountered the British Penguin biscuit and decided to create an improved version. It consists of two malted biscuits, a chocolate cream filling and a chocolate coating.
A common mix-up is assuming the name refers to an invented phrase or to a person. It is specifically taken from the Derby winner’s name. Northern Dancer, Secretariat and Citation were also famous racehorses, but none won the 1958 Kentucky Derby.