The term Triple Crown was used in Great Britain to describe an English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish national rugby team that defeated all the other three in a season of play. Then the term got transferred and began referring to the three main English horse races; the St. Leger, the Two Thousand Guineas, and the Derby.
Triple Crown history didn't come to the United States until 1930, when a horse named Gallant Fox won the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, and Preakness in a single season.
Only 11 horses have ever won the Triple Crown!! The last winner was “Affirmed” in 1978.



The 3 races are:

• Kentucky Derby
• Preakness Stakes
• Belmont Stakes

And the 11 winners were:

1919 Sir Barton
1930 Gallant Fox
1935 Omaha
1937 War Admiral
1941 Whirlaway
1943 Count Fleet
1946 Assault
1948 Citation
1973 Secretariat
1977 Seattle Slew
1978 Affirmed




(to be continued...)

I was only 10 when Secatriate won the Triple Crown, I watched all 3 races it was amazing to watch. He was a beautiful horse too,

You're a Lucky Woman with one more unique moment to remember and tell to others

The Kentucky Derby

The most important of the three races occurs on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Lousiville, KY



Is one of the most famous and prestigous horse races in the world.
Churchill Downs where the race is held the first Saturday in May reach year, was started by a group headed by a man named M. Lewis Clark in 1874.
Besides the consumption of the Mint Julep drink, other traditions have played a large role in the Derby atmosphere, with elegant women appearing in long dresses, big hats, and carrying fancy umbrellas.


The Derby is frequently referred to as "The run for the roses," because a garland of red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year.



On May 3, 1952, the first national television coverage of the Kentucky Derby took place. In 1954, the purse exceeded $100,000 for the first time. Set by the great Secretariat in 1973, the speed record for the Derby is 1 minute 59 2/5 seconds.

The Preakness Stakes


The Preakness Stakes is the second race of the Triple Crown. It is referred to as "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans," as a garland of Black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland, is presented to the winner.



The Preakness Stakes is actually older than the Kentucky Derby. It was run two years prior to the Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. This was the race courses first-ever spring race meet and the race was named by the Former Maryland Governor Oden Bowie after a colt by the name of Preakness.
The Preakness Stakes is officially the second leg of the Triple Crown and has been since 1931.



A unique tradition takes place after the winner of the Preakness is announced. The weather vane of cupola on the Old Clubhouse is actually painted the colors of the winning owner's racing silks on the jockey and horse that makes up the weather vane.