Triple Crown races are the three most prestigious and difficult thoroughbred horse races in North America: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Winning all three races is a rare feat, and it is known as the Triple Crown. Since the inception of the Triple Crown in 1919, only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown and none of them have been female horses. This begs the question: has a woman ever won a Triple Crown race?
Female Horse Owners
In the more than 100 years since the inaugural running of the Triple Crown, women have become more involved in the ownership of race horses. While it is rare for a woman to own a Triple Crown contender, there have been a few famous female owners throughout the years. Among them are Penny Chenery, owner of the legendary 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, and D. Wayne Lukas, who is the only trainer to win all three Triple Crown races in the same year.
Notable Female Owned Horses
One of the most notable female-owned horses of recent years is Zenyatta, a mare owned by Ann Moss. Zenyatta won 19 consecutive races in her career, including the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, before losing her final race. Another female-owned horse with a successful career is Rachel Alexandra, who won the 2009 Preakness Stakes and the 2010 Haskell Invitational. Both Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra were considered contenders for the Triple Crown, but neither was able to win all three races.
Female Jockeys
In addition to owning horses, women have also become jockeys in recent years. Although the first female jockey, Diane Crump, didn’t ride in a Triple Crown race until 1970, there have been several female jockeys who have ridden in Triple Crown races since then. In 1984, Patti Cooksey became the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race when she won the Kentucky Derby aboard the filly, Winning Colors.
Notable Female Jockeys
The most successful female jockey in Triple Crown history is Julie Krone, who won the 1993 Belmont Stakes aboard Colonial Affair. Krone is also the only female jockey to win the Triple Crown Series as a whole, as she won the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes in 1993, and the Kentucky Derby in 1995. Other notable female jockeys who have ridden in Triple Crown races include Rosie Napravnik, who finished second in the 2012 Kentucky Derby and fifth in the Belmont Stakes, and Chantal Sutherland, who finished third in the 2011 Preakness Stakes.
Female Trainers
In addition to owning and riding horses, women have also become trainers in recent years. While there have been some notable female trainers in the past, such as Mary Hirsch, the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race, none of them have been able to win all three races. The most successful female trainer in Triple Crown history is Janet Elliot, who won the 2001 Preakness Stakes with Point Given.
Notable Female Trainers
In addition to Janet Elliot, there have been several other notable female trainers who have been successful in Triple Crown races. Linda Rice won the 2013 Preakness Stakes and the 2014 Belmont Stakes, while Kiaran McLaughlin won the 2006 Belmont Stakes. Other notable female trainers include Vicki Oliver, who won the 2007 Kentucky Oaks, and Helen Pitts, who won the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Conclusion
While there have been some successful female horse owners, jockeys, and trainers throughout the history of the Triple Crown, none of them have been able to win all three races. It is still a dream for many female horse owners, jockeys, and trainers to win the Triple Crown, and it would be an historic achievement if a woman were ever able to accomplish this feat.
FAQs
Q. Who was the first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race?
A. The first female jockey to win a Triple Crown race was Patti Cooksey, who won the 1984 Kentucky Derby aboard Winning Colors.
Q. Who is the most successful female trainer in Triple Crown history?
A. The most successful female trainer in Triple Crown history is Janet Elliot, who won the 2001 Preakness Stakes with Point Given.
Q. Who was the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race?
A. The first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race was Mary Hirsch, who won the 1974 Preakness Stakes with Little Current.
Q. Has a woman ever won a Triple Crown race?
A. Yes, several female jockeys, owners, and trainers have won individual Triple Crown races, but no woman has ever won all three races.