The Triple Crown of American Thoroughbred Racing — or simply the Triple Crown to you and me — represents the pinnacle of achievement in the world of stateside horse racing. In recent years, the three showpieces have been overtaken somewhat when it comes to prize money, but their prestige remains unrivaled, with only the likes of the UK’s Grand National and Cheltenham Festival coming close.

Saudi Arabia has impacted sporting leagues the world over. Their takeover of Premier League club Newcastle United made headlines on both the front and the back pages, as did their creation of the LIV golf league and its subsequent merger with the PGA. The kingdom’s Saudi Cup is the most lucrative horse race on the planet, providing a whopping $20 million purse with $10 million to the winner. Following that comes the likes of Meydan’s Dubai World Cup ($12 million) and Australia’s The Everest ($10 million).

The Triple Crown’s three races — the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes — have much more modest prize pots. The former provides the largest prize pot of the trio, coming in at a mighty $5 million, while the latter two both offer purse money of $2 million.

The Big Three

Held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, the Kentucky Derby is often dubbed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Covering a distance of 1 1/4 miles, it is the first leg of the Triple Crown and arguably the most famous horse race in the United States. Mage closed powerfully to Derby glory last year at 15-1 odds, finishing a length clear of second-place finisher Two Phil’s. This year, horse racing betting have made Sierra Leone a narrow +300 favorite for glory, shortly followed by the +350 Fierceness.

Two weeks after the showdown in the Bluegrass State, the action moves to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., for the Preakness Stakes. Slightly shorter than the Derby, the race covers a distance of 1 3/16 miles and is known for its festive atmosphere.

The final test comes three weeks after the Preakness. Typically held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., the race has been moved to Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. for the next two editions to accommodate construction at Belmont Park. The Belmont Stakes with its daunting distance of 1 1/2 miles has traditionally been the longest of the three races and determines whether a horse will go down in history as a Triple Crown winner, hence its nickname “The Test of the Champion.” For this year and 2025, the Belmont Stakes has been shortened to 1 ¼ miles because Saratoga’s layout does not allow for 1 1/2-mile dirt races.

The Early Years

Sir Barton was the first horse to achieve what was later known as the Triple Crown. At the time of his wins, the term “Triple Crown” hadn’t even been coined yet, but his victories in the three races set a standard that others would aspire to for decades.

The first horse officially recognized as a Triple Crown winner, Gallant Fox, dominated the racing scene in 1930. Trained by the legendary “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, Gallant Fox captured the imagination of the racing world with his commanding performances.

Omaha, the son of the aforementioned gallant one, proved that lightning could indeed strike twice and that raw pace simply runs through the veins. In 1935, he matched his sire’s accomplishment by sweeping the trio of races, a testament to the extraordinary breeding and training of the Fitzsimmons team.

The small but mighty War Admiral, son of the great Man o’ War, displayed ferocious competitiveness and heart. His performances in 1937 left no doubt of his prowess, securing his place in racing folklore forever.

Known for his erratic running style and late charges, Whirlaway captured the hearts of fans in 1941. His ability to overcome adversity on the track made his victory all the more memorable.

This is as dominant as it gets. Three-year-old Count Fleet towered over his competition in 1943, winning the Belmont Stakes by an astounding 25 lengths — a margin that remained a record until Secretariat’s legendary run in 1973.

Post-War Era

Dubbed the “Club-footed Comet,” Assault overcame a debilitating hoof injury to win the trifecta in 1946. His story is one of resilience and overcoming the odds.

Lexington-born Citation became the first horse in history to eclipse $1 million in career earnings, with his Triple Crown victory in 1948 cementing his status as one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time.

Perhaps the most famous of all winners is Secretariat, whose breathtaking 31-length victory in the Belmont Stakes shattered records and left an indelible mark on the sport. His winning time records in each of the three races still stand today.

Seattle Slew was a bargain-buy who became a legend, winning the Triple Crown in 1977 while still undefeated. His tenacity and raw power were unmatched.

Affirmed’s epic battles with Alydar during 1978 are the stuff of legends. Earning victory by a neck in the Preakness and a head in the Belmont Stakes to complete the sweep, Affirmed’s sheer will to win was awe-inspiring.

Modern Times

Ending a 37-year Triple Crown drought, American Pharoah’s triumph in 2015 captivated a new generation of racing fans. His fluid stride and unflappable demeanor brought him victory in challenging conditions.

Undefeated colossus Justify overcame the “Curse of Apollo” to complete the feat in 2018. Not having raced as a 2-year-old did not stop him from dominating his peers and etching his name among the immortals of the sport.