The most recent horse to achieve a Triple Crown victory, which entails winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in a single season, was Justify. In 2018, the chestnut colt, owned by WinStar Farm and China Horse Club and trained by Bob Baffert, accomplished this impressive feat. Justify’s Triple Crown victory marked the 13th time in history that a horse managed to sweep all three races in a single season.
The Triple Crown in Horseracing
The Triple Crown in horse racing is one of the most prestigious trophies in sports. It is awarded to a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in the same year. Only twelve horses in history have ever won the Triple Crown.
- 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)
American Pharoah was the most recent horse to win the Triple Crown in 2015.
| Year | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Bob Baffert | Victor Espinoza |
Justify’s Triple Crown Victory: A Triumph for Thoroughbred Dominance
In 2018, the horse racing world witnessed history when Justify became the 13th horse to win the coveted Triple Crown, a feat that has only been accomplished by 11 other Thoroughbreds in the 147-year history of the event.
Justify’s Pedigree and Preparation
Justify’s exceptional lineage played a crucial role in his success. His sire, Scat Daddy, was a multiple Grade 1 winner, while his dam, Stage Magic, produced several other top performers.
Trainer Bob Baffert meticulously prepared Justify for the Triple Crown challenge, giving him ample time to rest and recover between races.
The Triple Crown Races
Justify’s dominance was evident throughout the Triple Crown series:
- Kentucky Derby (May 5, 2018): Justify broke away from the pack early and held off a strong challenge from Good Magic to win by 2½ lengths.
- Preakness Stakes (May 19, 2018): Justify again took the lead from the start and surged ahead to an impressive 10½-length victory.
- Belmont Stakes (June 9, 2018): Justify completed the Triple Crown with a thrilling 1½-length win over Gronkowski, despite facing a challenging wet track.
Historical Significance
Justify’s Triple Crown victory solidified his place among the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time and marked a remarkable chapter in horse racing history. It was the first Triple Crown win since American Pharoah in 2015 and broke a 37-year drought between Triple Crown victories.
Thoroughbred Dominance
The Triple Crown has historically been dominated by Thoroughbreds due to their exceptional athleticism, stamina, and versatility. Here’s a look at the 13 Triple Crown winners, all of which were Thoroughbreds:
| Year | Horse | Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| 1919 | Sir Barton | H. Guy Bedwell |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox | Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons |
| 1935 | Omaha | William Clyde |
| 1937 | War Admiral | George Conway |
| 1941 | Whirlaway | Ben A. Jones |
| 1943 | Count Fleet | Don Cameron |
| 1948 | Citation | Ben A. Jones |
| 1973 | Secretariat | Lucien Laurin |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew | William Shoemaker |
| 1978 | Affirmed | Laz Barrera |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Bob Baffert |
| 2018 | Justify | Bob Baffert |
| 2023 | TBD | TBD |
Justify’s Triple Crown victory serves as a testament to the extraordinary speed, endurance, and competitive spirit of Thoroughbreds, solidifying their status as the pinnacle of horse racing.
Racing History’s Biggest Prize
The Triple Crown is the most prestigious award in horse racing, and it is awarded to a horse that wins three specific races in a single year. These races are the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Only twelve horses have ever won the Triple Crown.
Justify, the Last Triple Crown Winner
The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Justify, who did it in 2018. Justify was a dominant horse throughout his career, and he won all six of his races. He won the Kentucky Derby by two and a half lengths, the Preakness Stakes by one and a half lengths, and the Belmont Stakes by one and three-quarter lengths. Justify was retired to stud after his Triple Crown victory, and he is now a successful sire.
The Triple Crown Winners
Here is a list of all of the horses that have won the Triple Crown:
- Sir Barton (1919)
- Man o’ War (1920)
- Gallant Fox (1930)
- Omaha (1935)
- War Admiral (1937)
- Whirlaway (1941)
- Count Fleet (1943)
- Assault (1946)
- Citation (1948)
- Secretariat (1973)
- Seattle Slew (1977)
- Justify (2018)
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | Sir Barton | Johnny Loftus | H. Guy Bedwell |
| 1920 | Man o’ War | Earl Sande | Louis Feustel |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox | Earl Sande | James G. Rowe, Jr. |
| 1935 | Omaha | William Saunders | James G. Rowe, Sr. |
| 1937 | War Admiral | Charley Kurtsinger | George Conway |
| 1941 | Whirlaway | Eddie Arcaro | Ben A. Jones |
| 1943 | Count Fleet | Johnny Longden | Don Cameron |
| 1946 | Assault | Warren Mehrtens | Max Hirsch |
| 1948 | Citation | Eddie Arcaro | Horace A. Jones |
| 1973 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet | William H. Turner, Jr. |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
The Elusive Triple Crown
Winning the Triple Crown in horse racing is a rare and prestigious achievement that has captivated fans for generations. It requires a horse to triumph in three of the most challenging races on the calendar: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
A Test of Greatness
The Triple Crown is considered the pinnacle of achievement in the sport, testing a horse’s speed, endurance, and versatility. Not only must a horse be incredibly talented, but they also need to avoid injury and navigate the intense competition and pressure that comes with each race.
The History of Triple Crown Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | Sir Barton | Johnny Loftus | H. Guy Bedwell |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox | Earl Sande | James Fitzsimmons |
| 1935 | Omaha | William Saunders | James Fitzsimmons |
| 1937 | War Admiral | Charley Kurtsinger | George Conway |
| 1941 | Whirlaway | Eddie Arcaro | Ben Jones |
| 1946 | Assault | Warren Mehrtens | Max Hirsch |
| 1948 | Citation | Albert Snider | Horace A. Jones |
| 1973 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew | Jean Cruguet | Billy Turner |
| 1978 | Affirmed | Steve Cauthen | Laz Barrera |
| 2015 | American Pharoah | Victor Espinoza | Bob Baffert |
| 2018 | Justify | Mike Smith | Bob Baffert |
A Triumph to Remember
The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Justify, ridden by jockey Mike Smith and trained by Bob Baffert in 2018. Justify’s remarkable victory solidified his place in racing history and brought joy to fans around the world.
An Ongoing Legacy
The Triple Crown remains an elusive goal, and the search for the next Triple Crown winner continues. The thrill of witnessing a horse conquer all three races is what makes horse racing such a captivating sport.
And there you have it, folks. The last triple crown in horse racing was won by none other than Justify in 2018. What a thrill ride it was, and I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a moment that will live on in horse racing history. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back for more updates and insights on the world of horse racing.