Triple Crown Winners

Sir Barton

Jun 5, 1919

The first horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, Sir Barton achieved the Triple Crown before the term "Triple Crown" was ever coined.

Gallant Fox

Jun 7, 1930

The incredible Fox of BelAir, as he was known, won the Preakness before the Derby, due to a strange racing schedule that year. The term "Triple Crown" finally came into play when he won the Belmont that June.

Omaha

Jun 8, 1935

In an extraordinary situation, Gallant Fox's son became the Triple Crown winner five years after his own win. Omaha won both the Derby and the Belmont by 1 1/2 lengths, but led the Preakness by 6 lengths.

War Admiral

Jun 5, 1937

Son of the famous stallion Man O' War, this horse was a favorite for the Derby. After winning it and the Preakness, he cut his heel on the Belmont's starting gate, but still won the race while setting a track record.

Whirlaway

Jun 7, 1941

A spirited horse, sometimes called stupid by his trainer, Whirlaway was sometimes placed above Dimaggio's 56-game hit streak in the sports section of newspapers. His habit of bolting to the outside after a turn made his owners nervous, but he still easily won the Triple Crown.

Count Fleet

Jun 5, 1943

Due to his bad manners, Count Fleet was not expected to win any races, but was soon hailed as the successor to Man o' War. It took 30 years for his 25-length winning record at the Belmont to be broken.

Assault

Jun 8, 1946

Perhaps the most unlikely Triple Crown winner, Assault was plagued by lifelong ailments. Even after winning both the Derby and the Preakness, another horse was favored for the Belmont, but chance occurences allowed Assault to reign victorious.

Citation

Jun 5, 1948

Horse racing's first millionaire, long-legged Citation became famous for beating out his own stablemate to win his first race. At the Belmont, he tied Count Fleet's record time.

Secretariat

Jun 9, 1973

Perhaps the most famous racehorse of all time, "Big Red" still holds the world record for fastest time and most lengths won by at the Belmont. Recent winner American Pharoah is the great-great-grandson of this incredible horse, but still couldn't beat his time. Watch Secretariat's incredible Belmont win on Youtube.

Seattle Slew

Jun 11, 1977

Four years after Secretariat's unbelievable winning streak, Seattle Slew was the next to take the Triple Crown title. An unlikely winner with a bad pedigree, Slew was undefeated when he won the Triple Crown, the first horse to do so. Watch Seattle Slew's four-length Belmont win.

Affirmed

Jun 10, 1978

Taking the title one year after Seattle Slew's win, Affirmed was endlessly contested by his biggest rival, Alydar. Winning the Derby by 1 1/2 lengths and the Preakness by just a neck, the Belmont was won by only a nose, and the new Triple Crown was taken. Watch the duel in the Belmont between Affirmed and Alydar.

American Pharoah

Jun 6, 2015

The famous horse with the misspelled name, American Pharoah took home the first Triple Crown title in 37 years. Winning the Belmont by 5 1/2 lengths, he was still far slower than his great-great-grandfather, Secretariat. Watch a compilation of American Pharoah's Triple Crown wins.