Past Triple Crown Winners

Written May 26, 2008 by Jason Lowry

With Big Brown just a win away from taking home the Triple Crown we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the Past Triple Crown Winners. Big Brown will look to the Belmont Stakes on Saturday June7th for his chance at history. There have only been 11 horses to ever complete this task that includes first winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. This is considered the greatest accomplishment of a thoroughbred racehorse, and if Big Brown is able to win the Belmont, he will be the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 30 years. Lets take a look at the past horses to win the race and a little bit on how they were able to do so.

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Sir Barton 1919

Barton was the very first horse to ever complete the task winning all three races.

Making Jockey Johnny Loftus, Trainer H. Guy Bedwell, and Owner J.K.L. Ross all became the first of their kind to win the Triple Crown.

Gallant Fox 1930

11 years after Sir Barton was the first thoroughbred to take home the Triple Crown, Gallant Fox was able to do so. Gallant Fox’s win spurred sportswriter Charles Hatton to bring the term Triple Crown to what it is today. So while Sir Barton was the first to complete the task Gallant Fox was the reason behind the craze we know today.

Omaha 1935

What made this race special was that trainer and owner combo of Jim Fitzsimons and Belair Stud were the same duo that took Gallant Fox to the Triple Crown just 5 years beforehand.

War Admiral 1937

Many horseracing fans have watched the movie Seabiscuit that was a story about War Admiral and his journey to the top. War Admiral was the offspring of the great Man O’ War. War Admiral didn’t have the typical size of great racehorses, but used his fiery temperament and talent to take him to victories in 21 of his 26 career starts.

Whirlaway 1941

This horse was not only the horse of the year in 1941 when he won the Triple Crown; he backed it up winning the award again in 1942. He won 32 races in his long career that spanned 60 races.

Count Fleet 1943

Considered the 5^th best thoroughbred of the 20^th century this Triple Crown champion was ridding by hall of fame jockey Jonny Longden. Owner John Hertz almost sent the horse packing, but thanks to Longden he was convinced to keep the horse that would later make history.

Assault 1946

Assault has quite the story behind him. As a two-year-old he really struggled, and by the time he turned 3 and entered the Kentucky Derby he was considered a long shot to win. After a convincing win at the Derby, Assault barley squeezed by to win the Preakness Stakes. He wasn’

t even considered the favorite at the Belmont because of his performance, but had an impressive come from behind win to take home the Triple Crown.

Citation 1948

Was one of the most dominant horses in his early years as he had an outstanding 27 victories in just 29 races at the end of his 3-year-old season. His only two losses were close 2^nd place finishes. The horse continued to race to the age of 5, but was never as dominant as before.

Secretariat 1973

This horse is ranked #2 out of the 100 best U.S. thoroughbred racehorses of the 20^th century. The only horse that was considered better was the great Man O’ War. Secretariat’

s Triple Crown win was the first in 25 years and the story was huge in the sports world. Secretariats most impressive win came at the Belmont where he won by a record 31 lengths.

Seattle Slew 1977

Had a couple close calls in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes as he faced very tough competition in both races, but was able to make things a little easier at the Belmont Stakes winning by 4 lengths.

Affirmed 1978

Most noted for being the last horse to win the Triple Crown, many people might not realize how close it was for this horse in each race against his rival Alydar. Alydar was finished a close 1-½ lengths behind Affirmed in the Derby, but that was just getting things started. Affirmed was only able to beat Alydar by a neck at the Preakness, and it got even closer at the Belmont Stakes where Affirmed won by a nose. This might be the best rivalry in thoroughbred racing history.

So there you have the 11 horses that can officially call themselves Triple Crown winners. Big Brown will do his best to become the 12th, but will have to handle a crazy amount of attention and another group of horses looking to ruin Big Brown’s historic run. Be sure to check back often, as we will continue to bring you more coverage on the Belmont Stakes, as the race gets closer.

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