In the grand spectacle of American horse racing, few achievements hold the same prestige as the Triple Crown. This coveted title is bestowed upon an exceptional three-year-old Thoroughbred that conquers a grueling test of talent and endurance. The horse must win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—all in a single season. Additionally, those three major races take place all within a month and a half time frame.
So far, of the over 4,200 horses who have taken part in the races over the years, only 13 have accomplished the coveted Triple Crown. The first to do so was in 1919 (before it was commonly known as “the Triple Crown”). The most recent Triple Crown winner is from 2018. Below is a list of all 13 winners, along with some facts about their historic wins. Will we have to wait multiple decades for another winner? Only time will tell!
2018
- Horse: Justify
- Jockey: Mike Smith
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
The most recent winner of the Triple Crown was Justify. He was ridden by jockey Mike Smith and trained by famed horse trainer Bob Baffert. This was the second Triple Crown-winning horse trained by Baffert. This made him one of only two trainers to accomplish this feat. Baffert, however, is a controversial figure in the world of horse racing. 30 of his horses have tested positive for banned substances, including Justify. Churchill Downs banned any horses trained by Baffert from entering the Kentucky Derby for three racing seasons (2022, 2023, & 2024). The Belmont Stakes race also banned Baffert horses in 2021. Mike Smith was the oldest jockey to win the Triple Crown at age 52. Justify and American Pharoah are the only Triple Crown horses still living.
2015
- Horse: American Pharoah
- Jockey: Victor Espinoza
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
In 2015, American Pharoah broke the longest Triple Crown drought so far: 37 years without a winner. He was ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza and trained by Bob Baffert. This was Baffert’s first horse to win the Triple Crown; as mentioned above, he went on to have a second horse win the Triple Crown. He is one of only two trainers to accomplish this feat. Born in Mexico, Espinoza is the first Hispanic jockey to ride a Triple Crown winner. American Pharoah also became the first (and only) horse to accomplish the modern Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing by winning the Breeder’s Cup Classic in addition to the three Triple Crown races. The Breeder’s Cup Classic is held at the end of year as a capstone event. However, it has only been held since 1984, whereas the three Triple Crown races are well over 100 years old. Therefore, older Triple Crown horses weren’t able to achieve the feat of a “Grand Slam.”
1978
- Horse: Affirmed
- Jockey: Steve Cauthen
- Trainer: Laz Barrera
Affirmed won the Triple Crown in 1978 marking the shortest time frame between winners. This was the only time that horses accomplished the Triple Crown in back-to-back years. He was ridden by Steve Cauthen and trained by Laz Barrera. Affirmed was particularly known for his rivalry with Alydar, who came in second place at all three Triple Crown races. Cauthen was the youngest jockey to ever ride a Triple Crown winner at 18 years old. Cauthen is also the first and only horse jockey ever to be named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (for his Triple Crown win in 1978).
1977
- Horse: Seattle Slew
- Jockey: Jean Cruguet
- Trainer: William H. Turner, Jr.
Seattle Slew won the Triple Crown in 1977, only 4 years after Secretariat accomplished the feat. He was ridden by jockey Jean Cruguet and trained by William H. Turner, Jr. Seattle Slew was undefeated in all races that he entered before completing the Triple Crown by winning the 1977 Belmont Stakes. He was the first Triple Crown winner to accomplish this feat. Justify also accomplished this as a Triple Crown winner in 2018 and happens to be a 5th generation descendant of Seattle Slew via his mother (or dam). When Seattle Slew died in 2002, there were no other living Triple Crown-winning horses since the first Triple Crown win occurred in 1919. That is until American Pharoah’s 2015 win.
1973
- Horse: Secretariat
- Jockey: Ron Turcotte
- Trainer: Lucien Laurin
Secretariat is probably the most famous horse in America. Even casual horse racing observers know of Secretariat, probably thanks to the popular 2010 Disney film that chronicled his Triple Crown accomplishment. Secretariat broke a 25-year drought of Triple Crown winners, the longest gap that had occurred up to that time. He was ridden by jockey Ron Turcotte and trained by Lucian Laurin. Secretariat is widely considered the greatest racing horse of all time. His race times at the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Preakness still stand as records to this day! Although Secretariat was an acclaimed horse, he was not undefeated. In fact, he came in 4th during his debut race. After this, however, he finished outside the top 2 in only one other race.
1948
- Horse: Citation
- Jockey: Eddie Arcaro
- Trainer: “Jimmy” Jones
Citation was the eighth Triple Crown winner. He did so in 1948 and was ridden by jockey Eddit Arcaro and was trained by Horace A. “Jimmy” Jones. Citation was the first horse in American racing history to have earnings in excess of $1 million, equivalent to over $13 million in today’s value. Jockey Eddie Arcaro is regarded as one of the best riders of all time. He is the only jockey to have won the Triple Crown twice: with Citation (1948) and with Whirlaway (1941).
1946
- Horse: Assault
- Jockey: Warren Mehrtens
- Trainer: Max Hirsch
Assault won the Triple Crown in 1946. He was ridden by jockey Warren Mehrtens and trained by Max Hirsch. When retired from racing, Assault went to stud like nearly all other racehorses. However, it turned out that he was sterile. Assault’s win at the Kentucky Derby still stands as the largest margin of victory, tied with fellow Triple Crown-winner Whirlaway and two other horses. They all won their races by eight lengths (or around 64 feet). Assault was also the first triple crown winner to be bred from outside of Kentucky.
1943
- Horse: Count Fleet
- Jockey: Johnny Longden
- Trainer: Don Cameron
Count Fleet was the sixth horse to win the Triple Crown. He did so in 1943 and was ridden by jockey Johnny Longden. Don Cameron was Count Fleet’s trainer. Count Fleet was the longest-lived Triple Crown winner who lived to the age of 33. Average lifespans for Thoroughbred horses are more typically within the 23-28 years range. At one time, Count Fleet set the mile world record time for 2-year-olds. Early in his career, horse enthusiasts may not have guessed at his future winning fortunes due to his erratic behavior.
1941
- Horse: Whirlaway
- Jockey: Eddie Arcaro
- Trainer: Ben A. Jones
Whirlaway won the Triple Crown in 1941. He is also is the only horse to win the Superfecta (or Quadruple Crown) by winning the Travers Stakes after the three races of the Triple Crown. While this may also be known as a “Grand Slam,” that specific term has become more associated with winning the year-end Breeder’s Cup Classic since its introduction in 1984. Whirlaway and American Pharoah are the only two horses to have won 4 major races in a single racing season. Whirlaway’s jockey was Eddie Arcaro, and his trainer was Ben A. Jones. Arcaro is the only jockey to have won the Triple Crown twice. Whirlaway was known for his particularly long and dramatic tail.
1937
- Horse: War Admiral
- Jockey: Charles Kurtsinger
- Trainer: George Conway
War Admiral won the Triple Crown in 1937 becoming the 4th horse to do so. He may be best remembered for the heated rivalry he had with Seabiscuit. Though Seabiscuit is not a Triple Crown winner, he may be more famous than War Admiral in pop culture thanks to popular books and movies. They never faced each other in official races; however, their owners set up a head-to-head two horse race billed as The Match of the Century in 1938. War Admiral was the favorite to win but surprisingly lost to Seabiscuit. Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Affirmed are descendants of War Admiral through his daughters’ lineages. He also appears eight times in American Pharoah’s pedigree.
1935
- Horse: Omaha
- Jockey: “Smokey” Saunders
- Trainer: Jim Fitzsimmons
Omaha was the third horse to ever win the Triple Crown. He was ridden by jockey “Smokey” Saunders and was trained by Jim Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons was the first trainer to ever win a Triple Crown twice. This feat was equaled by Bob Baffert in 2018. The previous Triple Crown winner prior to Omaha was his dad, Gallant Fox. Fitzsimmons kept it in the family and worked with both horses. Unlike many of the horses on this list, after winning the Triple Crown, Omaha was sent to the United Kingdom to try and become one of the rare American-bred horses to win prestigious British races.
1930
- Horse: Gallant Fox
- Jockey: Earl Sande
- Trainer: Jim Fitzsimmons
Gallant Fox won the Triple Crown in 1930. He was ridden by Earl Sande and trained Jim Fitzsimmons. Gallant Fox sired future Triple Crown-winner Omaha, and Jim Fitzsimmons trained both winning horses. To this day, they remain the only father-son duo of winners. During the time of his win, the phrase “Triple Crown” was not typically used in racing parlance. The New York Times used the phrase to describe Gallant Fox’s achievements. Legend has it that Gallant Fox was easily distracted in his youth and that he was late out of the starting gate during his first race because an airplane was flying overhead. He was also reluctant to perform practice workouts solo, and other horses had to be brought in to be around him. Perhaps he thrived on friendly competition.
1919
- Horse: Sir Barton
- Jockey: Johnny Loftus
- Trainer: H. Guy Bedwell
Sir Barton was the first ever horse to complete what is now termed the Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred racing. As with Gallant Fox, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, and the Preakness was not necessarily bestowed the title of “Triple Crown winner” as the phrase was not commonly used at the time. In 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations formally proclaimed the title and definition of the Triple Crown. The title was officially bestowed retroactively upon qualifying horses who accomplished the feat before 1950. He was ridden by Johnny Loftus and trained by H. Guy Bedwell.
