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The Triple Crown, as it relates to horse racing, is the pinnacle achievement that every thoroughbred strives for, and consists of three specific races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes; with each of the individual races said to be a "jewel in the crown." In the nearly 90 years since Sir Barton won the very first Triple Crown, there have only been ten other horses to accomplish the feat and the last winner, Affirmed, was crowned 30 years ago.
The Triple Crown is considered to be one of the most difficult triumphs to attain in all of sports. The complexity can be attributed to the grueling schedule of having to partake in three races within five weeks, each of which are at longer distances than the three-year-olds have previously run throughout their careers. The Belmont Stakes is extremely punishing as most thoroughbreds never run such a long distance (1 1/2 miles).
Since 1997, there were six horses that won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but lost in the Belmont Stakes. Funny Cide was the latest horse to just miss the Triple Crown when he was unable to handle the sloppy track at Belmont in 2003.
| Triple Crown Winners |
| Year |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
| 1919 |
Sir Barton |
H. G. Bedwell |
John Loftus |
| 1930 |
Gallant Fox |
James Fitzsimmons |
Earl Sande |
| 1935 |
Omaha |
James Fitzsimmons |
William Saunders |
| 1937 |
War Admiral |
George Conway |
Charley Kurtsinger |
| 1941 |
Whirlaway |
Ben A. Jones |
Eddie Arcaro |
| 1943 |
Count Fleet |
Don Cameron |
John Longden |
| 1946 |
Assault |
Max Hirsch |
Warren Mehrtens |
| 1948 |
Citation |
Ben A. Jones |
Eddie Arcaro |
| 1973 |
Secretariat |
Lucien Laurin |
Ron Turcotte |
| 1977 |
Seattle Slew |
William Turner, Jr. |
Jean Cruguet |
| 1978 |
Affirmed |
Lazaro S. Barrera |
Steve Cauthen |
There have been 43 horses who won two of the three Triple Crown races. There have been 20 horses who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but did not complete the Triple Crown. These horses are listed below:
| Triple Crown Near Misses (Did Not Win Belmont Stakes) |
| Year |
Horse |
Belmont Finish |
Belmont Winner |
| 1932 |
Burgoo King |
Did not start |
Faireno |
| 1936 |
Bold Venture |
Did not start |
Granville |
| 1944 |
Pensive |
2nd |
Bounding Home |
| 1958 |
Tim Tam |
2nd |
Cavan |
| 1961 |
Carry Back |
7th |
Sherluck |
| 1964 |
Northern Dancer |
3rd |
Quadrangle |
| 1966 |
Kauai King |
4th |
Amberoid |
| 1968 |
Forward Pass |
2nd |
Stage Door Johnny |
| 1969 |
Majestic Prince |
2nd |
Arts and Letters |
| 1971 |
Canonero II |
4th |
Pass Catcher |
| 1979 |
Spectacular Bid |
3rd |
Coastal |
| 1981 |
Pleasant Colony |
3rd |
Summing |
| 1987 |
Alysheba |
4th |
Bet Twice |
| 1989 |
Sunday Silence |
2nd |
Easy Goer |
| 1997 |
Silver Charm |
2nd |
Touch Gold |
| 1998 |
Real Quiet |
2nd |
Victory Gallop |
| 1999 |
Charismatic |
3rd |
Lemon Drop Kid |
| 2002 |
War Emblem |
8th |
Sarava |
| 2003 |
Funny Cide |
3rd |
Empire Maker |
| 2004 |
Smarty Jones |
2nd |
Birdstone |
| 2008 |
Big Brown |
9th |
Da'Tara |
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