The Triple Crown is a set of three horse races for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. It consists of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. The races are run in a particular order over a five-week period in May and June and are considered the most prestigious of all horse racing events. The Triple Crown is a highly sought-after accomplishment, as it is one of the most difficult feats to achieve in horse racing.
History of the Triple Crown
The concept of the Triple Crown was first established in the late 1800s. The first horse to win all three races was Sir Barton in 1919, and since then, only twelve other horses have won the Triple Crown. The most recent winner was Justify in 2018.
The Three Races of the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown consists of three races, all of which are run in a particular order. They are:
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is the first race of the Triple Crown, and it is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is usually run on the first Saturday in May and is the most prestigious of all the Triple Crown races. It is also the longest, at 1¼ miles, and the most lucrative, with a purse of $3 million.
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is the second race of the Triple Crown and is held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is usually run on the third Saturday in May and is the second-longest race of the Triple Crown, at 1 3/16 miles. The purse for the Preakness Stakes is $1.5 million.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the third and final race of the Triple Crown. It is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York and is usually run on the first Saturday in June. The Belmont Stakes is the shortest race of the Triple Crown, at 1½ miles, and has a purse of $1.5 million.
Eligibility Requirements for the Triple Crown Races
In order to be eligible for any of the three races that make up the Triple Crown, a horse must meet certain criteria. The horse must be a three-year-old thoroughbred and must have won certain designated prep races. In addition, the horse must be nominated for the Triple Crown series prior to the races.
Notable Triple Crown Winners
Only twelve horses have won the Triple Crown since its inception in 1919. The most recent winner was Justify in 2018. Some of the other notable Triple Crown winners include:
- Secretariat – 1973
- Seattle Slew – 1977
- Affirmed – 1978
- American Pharoah – 2015
The Purses of the Triple Crown Races
The purses for the three races of the Triple Crown are as follows:
- The Kentucky Derby – $3 million
- The Preakness Stakes – $1.5 million
- The Belmont Stakes – $1.5 million
The Triple Crown Bonus
In addition to the purses for the three races of the Triple Crown, there is also a bonus for any horse that wins all three races. This bonus is usually $5 million and is paid out to the owner of the horse.
The Triple Crown Trophy
The winner of the Triple Crown is presented with the famous Triple Crown Trophy. This trophy is a sterling silver cup with three gold horseshoes encircling the base. It stands about two feet tall and is inscribed with the names of all the Triple Crown winners.
Conclusion
The Triple Crown is one of the most prestigious and sought-after accomplishments in horse racing. The Triple Crown consists of three races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, which are run in a particular order over a five-week period in May and June. To be eligible for the Triple Crown, a horse must meet certain criteria and be nominated prior to the races. Twelve horses have achieved the feat since its inception in 1919, with the most recent winner being Justify in 2018.