American Triple Crown: Races, previous winners, history

The American Triple Crown is a prestigious triad of races for three-year-old thoroughbreds traditionally held between May and mid-June.

The three races involved are the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.

Only a select group of horses have ever claimed success, making it one of the most difficult and sought after accomplishments in racing.

What are the American Triple Crown races?

Kentucky Derby

Held at Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby is a race name that holds significance in all corners of the globe.

Taking place annually on the first Saturday of May each year, the race is also known as "The Run for the Roses" as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses.

Arguably it's most famous winner, Secretariat, holds the record for the fastest time recorded in the race.

Preakness Stakes

The next stop on the American Triple Crown journey is the Preakness Stakes.

At 1m1½f, it is the shortest race of three and is held at Pimlico Racecourse.

Unlike the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness can be contested by fillies, with Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Swiss Skydiver (2020) the only female winners during the 21st century.

Belmont Stakes

Located in New York, Belmont Park hosts the final jewel in the American Triple Crown.

Nicknamed the 'Test of the Champion', horses race over a distance of 1m4f, making it by far the longest of the three races.

The aforementioned Secretariat won this race by a record-breaking margin of 31-lengths in 1973.

Previous American Triple Crown Winners

• 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)