The Triple Crown of American Horse Racing: A Complete Guide

The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States represents one of the most prestigious and challenging achievements in all of sports. This coveted honor is awarded exclusively to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses that win three specific races in a single season: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

What Is the Triple Crown?

The Triple Crown consists of three distinct races run over a five-week period each spring. The series begins with the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, traditionally held on the first Saturday in May. Two weeks later, the Preakness Stakes takes place at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The series concludes three weeks after the Preakness with the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, Fresh York.

To win the Triple Crown, a horse must triumph in all three races against some of the finest three-year-old Thoroughbreds in the world. The grueling schedule demands exceptional speed, stamina, and consistency, making it one of the most difficult accomplishments in sports.

History of the Triple Crown

Although the three races that comprise the Triple Crown were inaugurated in different years—the Belmont Stakes dating back to 1867, the Preakness Stakes to 1873, and the Kentucky Derby to 1875—the concept of winning all three as a singular achievement evolved over time.

Sir Barton became the first horse to win all three Triple Crown races in 1919, though the term “Triple Crown” was not yet widely used. Some journalists began referring to the three races collectively as early as 1923, but it was not until Gallant Fox won the series in 1930 that Charles Hatton of the Daily Racing Form popularized the term.

Since then, only 13 horses have achieved this remarkable feat:

• Sir Barton (1919)
• Gallant Fox (1930)
• Omaha (1935)
• War Admiral (1937)
• Whirlaway (1941)
• Count Fleet (1943)
• Assault (1946)
• Citation (1948)
• Secretariat (1973)
• Seattle Slew (1977)
• Affirmed (1978)
• American Pharoah (2015)
• Justify (2018)

As of 2026, American Pharoah and Justify are the only living Triple Crown winners. The most recent winner, Justify, captured the title in 2018 under trainer Bob Baffert, who became the second trainer to win the Triple Crown more than once—having previously trained American Pharoah to victory in 2015.

Notable Facts and Records

Several horses and connections have left indelible marks on Triple Crown history:

• James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons was the first trainer to win the Triple Crown more than once, accomplishing the feat with Gallant Fox (1930) and Omaha (1935) for Belair Stud.
• Gallant Fox and Omaha remain the only father-son pair to each win the Triple Crown.
• Secretariat’s 1973 Belmont Stakes victory, where he won by an astonishing 31 lengths, is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances in sports history.
• American Pharoah ended a 37-year drought when he won the Triple Crown in 2015, the longest gap between champions in the series’ history.

The Triple Crown Trophy

The Triple Crown Trophy was commissioned in 1950 but has been awarded retroactively to all previous winners as well as those who have won the title since. Crafted in silver, the trophy features a three-sided base representing each of the three races, topped by a figure of a Thoroughbred in full stride.

Why the Triple Crown Matters

Winning the Triple Crown transcends horse racing—it captures the imagination of sports fans worldwide. The combination of rarity, tradition, and the immense physical demand placed on three-year-old horses elevates the achievement to legendary status. In an era where athletic specialization is common, the Triple Crown stands as a testament to versatility, endurance, and excellence.

As the sport looks to the future, each new three-year-old season brings renewed hope that another colt might join the elite ranks of Triple Crown winners. Until then, the 13 horses who have accomplished this feat remain immortalized in the annals of American sports history.