As many horse racing fans know, the Triple Crown is the ultimate achievement in the sport, and one that doesn’t come around very often. In order to be the winner of the Triple Crown, a horse has to win the KentuckyDerby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in the same year.
There have only been 11 Triple Crown winners in history, and in fact, there hasn’t even been one since 1978. Past winners are Sir Barton in 1919, Gallant Fox in 1930, Omaha in 1935, War Admiral in 1937, Whirlaway in 1941, Count Fleet in 1943, Assault in 1946, Citation in 1948, Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977, and last but not least, Affirmed in 1978.
Belair Stud, which was once a stable and breeding farm in Maryland, owned two of the 11 horses that went on to win the Triple Crown: Gallant Fox in 1930, and the colt he sired, Omaha, in 1935. They were revered to be one of the most successful operations in the business, but a tragic reported accident in 1955 cut that short. Probably wish you can take part in Kentucky Derby online betting for that particular race now don’t you?
There have been 23 horses who have won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but failed to win the Belmont Stakes. California Chrome was the last to do so in 2014 when he won the first two races, but finished in fourth place (as a tie) at the Belmont Stakes.
Considering the prestige and excitement winning a Triple Crown brings, horse fans have been anxiously waiting for 26 years for another one and hoping 2015 will finally be the year. Who knows, it may happen this year starting with Kentucky Derby 2015.