Triple Crown Triumphs: A Historical Look at Horse Racing Odds and Legendary Winners
Crown Conquerors: Legendary Victors

Horse racing fanatics, prepare to be enthralled as we delve into the annals of the sport’s history, exploring the legendary Triple Crown winners who overcame daunting horse racing odds to secure their place in the pantheon of equine immortality.
In this historical horse racing analysis, we’ll recount the remarkable tales of these extraordinary champions, shedding light on how horse racing standings and Triple Crown odds factored into their storied victories. So, tighten your stirrups and get ready for a thrilling ride through the awe-inspiring world of Triple Crown winners.
Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
---|---|---|---|---|
1919 | Sir Barton | Johnny Loftus | H. Guy Bedwell | J. K. L. Ross |
1930 | Gallant Fox | Earl Sane | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud |
1935 | Omaha | Smokey Sanders | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud |
1937 | War Admiral | Charles Kurtsinger | George Conway | Samuel D. Riddle |
1941 | Whirlaway | Eddie Arcaro | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm |
1943 | Count Fleet | Johnny Longden | Don Cameron | Fannie Hertz |
1946 | Assault | Warren Mehrtens | Max Hirsch | King Ranch |
1948 | Citation | Eddie Arcaro | Jimmy Jones | Camulet Farm |
1973 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable |
1977 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet | William H. Turner Jr. | Mickey & Karen L. Taylor |
1978 | AFFirmed | Steve Cauthen | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm |
2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert | Ahmed Zayat |
2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert | WinStar Farm |
Crown Chronicles: The Triple Crown Winners
- 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)
Historical Fact: Sir Barton set a world record for 1 3/16 miles in the 1920 Merchants and Citizens Handicap. His time was 1:55 3/5.
Historical Fact: Gallant Fox’s Kentucky Derby was the first to be started from a mechanical starting gate.
Historical Fact: Omaha was the only American Triple Crown winner not to win Horse of the Year honors during his Triple Crown season by official voting or general consensus.
Historical Fact: War Admiral’s match race with Seabiscuit was ranked #2 in Horse Racing’s Top 100 Moments, a review of racing in the 20th century compiled by The Blood-Horse and released in 2006.
Historical Fact: Whirlaway is the only horse to have won both the Triple Crown and the Travers Stakes. Whirlaway was lucky to end his racing career with two eyes, as he had a small stone kicked into one eye during the running of the 1940 Hopeful Stakes. The injury was so serious that Calumet Farm called in eye specialists from human medicine to consult with the veterinarians managing the case. Fortunately, the eye recovered, if slowly, and Whirlaway regained normal vision as far as anyone could determine.
Historical Fact: Count Fleet is part of a three-generation sequence of Kentucky Derby winners, as he was sired by 1928 winner Reigh Count and is the sire of 1951 winner Count Turf. The only other three-generation sequence in Derby history runs from Pensive (1944) to Ponder (1949) to Needles (1956)
Historical Fact: The night before the 1946 Kentucky Derby, the owner of the Waldorf-Astoria in Louisville announced his intention to name his new cocktail lounge after the winner of the next day’s Derby. After Assault won the race, the promise was quietly scrapped as the owner felt that having an “Assault Room” would not be good for business.
Historical Fact: Citation set a modern American record of 16 consecutive wins in 1948-1950. His record was finally equaled by Cigar in 1995-1996 and Hallowed Dreams in 1999-2000 and was broken by Peppers Pride in 2005-2008.
Historical Fact: In most American horse races, the horses run the opening quarter-mile fastest and slow down thereafter. Secretariat accelerated with every quarter-mile of his Kentucky Derby, running fastest of all at the end of the race. The Belmont Stakes (USA-G1), set a world record of 2:24 for 12 furlongs on dirt that has yet to be equaled or broken.
Historical Fact: Seattle Slew is the only American Triple Crown winner to defeat another American Triple Crown winner, beating Affirmed in the 1978 Marlboro Cup Handicap. He also finished ahead of Affirmed when second in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Historical Fact: In 1978, Affirmed became the youngest horse up to that time to reach US$1 million in earnings when he won the Kentucky Derby. He became the first American racehorse to reach US$2 million in earnings by winning the 1979 Jockey Club Gold Cup, a race that also made him the first American racehorse to win over US$1 million in a single season.
Historical Fact: American Pharoah answered every naysayer with an impressive victory in the Belmont Stakes to become the first American Triple Crown winner in 37 years. American Pharoah became American racing’s most lightly campaigned Triple Crown winner up to that time when he took the Belmont Stakes in his eighth-lifetime start. His Belmont time of 2:26.54 was the second fastest for a Triple Crown winner, trailing only Secretariat’s 2:24, and his final quarter in:24.32 was the fastest for any Triple Crown champion.
Historical Fact: Justify is the most lightly raced American Triple Crown winner in history, as the Belmont was only his sixth start and turned out to be his last. Previously, American Pharoah had been the most lightly raced horse to win the Triple Crown as the Belmont was his eighth start; he had also been the Triple Crown winner with the fewest lifetime starts. Justify’s Triple Crown sweep also made 52-year-old Mike Smith the oldest jockey to win the American Triple Crown.
Honoring the Legendary Champs
The rich history of Triple Crown winners is replete with awe-inspiring performances, extraordinary horses, and legendary trainers and jockeys. Each of these champions defied the horse racing odds, carving their names into the annals of the sport and creating a lasting legacy. As we reflect on their achievements, we are reminded that the path to victory is paved with dedication, skill, and a touch of fortune.
The Triple Crown remains one of the most prestigious and elusive accomplishments in horse racing, with each new contender carrying the hopes and dreams of the racing community. As we continue to cheer on future champions, let us honor and celebrate the legendary figures who have come before, setting the gold standard for excellence in the world of horse racing.
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