The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, or simply the Triple Crown, is the most prestigious achievement for a horse to accomplish in the sport of horse racing. It is a series of three races—the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes—run in the United States. The Triple Crown has been achieved by only thirteen horses in the history of Thoroughbred racing, making it a very rare accomplishment.
History of the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown was created in the early 1900s. The first race, the Kentucky Derby, was first run in 1875, followed by the Preakness Stakes in 1873 and the Belmont Stakes in 1867. All three races are run at different tracks, with the Kentucky Derby being held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The first horse to win the Triple Crown was Sir Barton in 1919. Since then, there have been twelve other horses to win the Triple Crown.
Rules of the Triple Crown
In order to be eligible to win the Triple Crown, a horse must win all three races within the same calendar year. The horse must also be a three-year-old thoroughbred.
Triple Crown Winners
The following is a list of the thirteen horses that have won the Triple Crown:
- Sir Barton – 1919
- Gallant Fox – 1930
- Omaha – 1935
- War Admiral – 1937
- Whirlaway – 1941
- Count Fleet – 1943
- Assault – 1946
- Citation – 1948
- Secretariat – 1973
- Seattle Slew – 1977
- Affirmed – 1978
- American Pharoah – 2015
- Justify – 2018
Notable Triple Crown Races
The three races that make up the Triple Crown are some of the most famous horse races in the world. Here are some of the most notable Triple Crown races:
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is the first race in the Triple Crown series. The race is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and it is the longest of the three races, at 1-1/4 miles. The Kentucky Derby has been run since 1875 and is known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is the second race in the Triple Crown series. The race is run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and it is the shortest of the three races, at 1-3/16 miles. The Preakness Stakes has been run since 1873 and is known as “The People’s Race.”
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the final race in the Triple Crown series. The race is run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, and it is the longest of the three races, at 1-1/2 miles. The Belmont Stakes has been run since 1867 and is known as “The Test of the Champion.”
Impact of the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown has had a major impact on the sport of horse racing. It has increased interest in the sport, as millions of people tune in to watch the three races each year. It has also increased the popularity of the horses that have won the Triple Crown, with some becoming cultural icons.
Triple Crown Contenders
Each year, the three races that make up the Triple Crown draw the attention of the racing world. Numerous horses are considered contenders to win the Triple Crown, but only thirteen horses have been successful in doing so.
Conclusion
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is one of the most prestigious achievements in the sport of horse racing. Only thirteen horses have won the Triple Crown, making it a rare and remarkable accomplishment. Each year, the three races that make up the Triple Crown draw the attention of the racing world, and numerous horses are considered contenders to win the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown has had a major impact on the sport of horse racing, as millions of people tune in to watch the three races each year.