The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is one of the most prestigious achievements in horse racing. It consists of three races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. To win the Triple Crown, a horse and its jockey must win all three races. Only thirteen horses have accomplished this feat in the history of the sport, and only eleven jockeys have been able to ride a Triple Crown winner.
The History of the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown was first established in the late 19th century when the three races that make up the prestigious event were all firmly established. The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875, the Preakness Stakes in 1873, and the Belmont Stakes in 1867. It would be nearly fifty years later, however, before the first horse and jockey would achieve the coveted Triple Crown title.
The First Triple Crown Winner
The first Triple Crown winner was Sir Barton, who was ridden by jockey Johnny Loftus in 1919. Sir Barton was a bay colt owned by William F. J. Johnston, who had purchased him for a mere $1,500. Sir Barton was an unlikely champion, having been considered a poor racer in the past. He was also not considered a strong contender for the Triple Crown, but he surprised everyone with his remarkable performance.
The Jockeys Who Have Ridden Triple Crown Winners
Eleven jockeys have ridden Triple Crown winners throughout the years. They are:
- Johnny Loftus, who rode Sir Barton in 1919
- Olin Gentry, who rode Gallant Fox in 1930
- Eddie Arcaro, who rode Whirlaway in 1941 and Citation in 1948
- Steve Brooks, who rode Assault in 1946
- William Boland, who rode Count Fleet in 1943
- Johnny Longden, who rode Count Fleet in 1943 and Assault in 1946
- Clyde Akins, who rode Citation in 1948
- Bill Hartack, who rode Nashua in 1955 and Secretariat in 1973
- Ron Turcotte, who rode Secretariat in 1973
- Jean Cruguet, who rode Seattle Slew in 1977
- Steve Cauthen, who rode Affirmed in 1978
The Triple Crown Winners
The thirteen horses who have won the Triple Crown are:
- 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)
Notable Triple Crown Races
The Triple Crown races are some of the most notable and historic events in horse racing. Here is a brief overview of each race:
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, and is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It has been held every year since 1875 and is the most attended horse race in the United States.
The Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown and is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It has been held every year since 1873, and is the second-oldest race in the series.
The Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is the final leg of the Triple Crown and is held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It has been held every year since 1867, and is the oldest race in the series.
The Triple Crown Trophy
The Triple Crown Trophy is presented to the winning horse and jockey for each Triple Crown victory. The trophy is a sterling silver cup that was first presented in 1950 to the winning horse and jockey of the Triple Crown, Citation. The cup is 18 inches tall and is inscribed with the names of the Triple Crown winners.
The Future of the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown is a timeless tradition in horse racing, and it is likely that it will continue to remain a prominent event in the future. With each passing year, the possibility of another horse and jockey winning the Triple Crown becomes more and more likely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, only eleven jockeys have had the honor of riding a Triple Crown winner in the history of the sport. Thirteen horses have achieved the prestigious feat, with the most recent being Justify, ridden by jockey Mike Smith in 2018. The Triple Crown is an iconic event in horse racing, and it is likely that it will remain a major part of the sport for many years to come.