The Triple Crown

For the most part, here at eHorse.com, we consider the sport of thoroughbred horse racing a business. However, there are certain sporting events that capture the fan in all of us, surpassing the business side of things. Events like The Super Bowl, The World Cup, The Tour de France, The Olympic Games not only do they draw out the fan of those who are in the business, but they draw the attention of people who otherwise have little interest in the sports they represent. In thoroughbred horse racing we are fortunate to have several such events; The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and The Belmont Stakes?the three together known as The Triple Crown.

The Triple Crown, which is made up of three of the four largest attended events in North American thoroughbred racing, refers to the attempt of winning The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness Stakes and The Belmont Stakes in the same season. Only 11 horses have accomplished this feat since the Triple Crowns? inauguration in 1875. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978. Affirmed is the great-great- grandson of fellow Triple Crown winner War Admiral, who won in 1937. One of the most notable Triple Crown winners was Secretariat who won the title in 1973. His record performance in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes still stand today. Secretariat won The Belmont Stakes by 31 lengths, the largest margin of victory in any Triple Crown event. Conversely, it can also be argued that Secretariat equaled the record time of the Preakness in 1973, but due to a timer malfunction is not credited with it officially.