TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS

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." Since 1919 when Sir Barton won the very first Triple Crown, there have only been twelve other horses to accomplish the feat and the last winner, Justify, was crowned in 2018.

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 nine horses that won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, but lost (or did not run) in the Belmont Stakes. California Chrome was the latest horse to miss the Triple Crown when he ran fourth in the Belmont in 2014. American Pharaoh broke the 36 year drought when he won the Belmont Stakes on June 6th, 2015 and became the 12th Triple Crown winner. Since then, Justify has been the latest Triple Crown winner on June 9th, 2018.

There have been 45 horses who won two of the three Triple Crown races. There have been 23 horses who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, but did not complete the Triple Crown. These horses are listed below: