English Triple Crown: Races, previous winners, history

Amongst the five British Classics in the flat racing calendar, there are three races that make up the English Triple Crown.

This is comprised of the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and finally, the St Leger.

The Triple Crown is a feat rarely accomplished in modern times with it last won in 1970.

2000 Guineas

Traditionally taking place during the first weekend of May, the 2000 Guineas is the first leg of the English Triple Crown. First ran in 1809, the race gets its name from the prize money awarded to the winner of the inaugural renewal.

Taking place over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, this is the first British Classic of the season.

Boasting a classy roll of honour, Frankel won the race in 2011, stretching an impressive six-lengths clear at the line.

Epsom Derby

Potentially the most revered of the trio, the Epsom Derby is the second step on the path to Triple Crown glory.

Described as the 'ultimate test' for a thoroughbred, runners have to navigate the testing Epsom Downs track before sweeping left-handed into the famous straight.

The recent history of the race has been dominated by Aidan O'Brien; success with City Of Troy in 2024 gave the trainer a record 10th winner.

Over more than 200 years of history, Shergar registered the furthest winning margin, beating his rivals by a widening 10 lengths.

St Leger

Finally, the oldest of the five British Classics is the last destination on the Triple Crown journey.

Taking place over 1m6f at Doncaster, it is also the longest of the three, aiming to test the stamina of it's participants.

Whilst this contest is restricted to three-year-olds only, many iterations of the race around the globe have removed the age cap. Examples across Europe of this include the Irish St Leger, Prix Royal-Oak and Deutsches St Leger.

Previous Triple Crown Winners

First popularised in 1853, there have only ever been 15 winners of the Triple Crown in just under 200 years.

Most recently completed in 1970, Nijinsky cemented himself as one of the greatest racehorses of all-time when he stretched away to win the St Leger under Lester Piggott.

As well as winning all three Triple Crown events, Nijinsky also took both the Irish Derby and King George VI Stakes, a season that led to him receiving a lofty Timeform rating of 138.

• West Australian (1853)

• Gladiateur (1865)

• Lord Lyon (1866)

• Ormonde (1886)

• Common (1891)

• Isinglass (1893)

• Galtee More (1897)

• Flying Fox (1899)

• Diamond Jubilee (1900)

• Rock Sand (1903)

• Pommern (1915)

• Gay Crusader (1917)

• Gainsborough (1918)

• Bahram (1935)

• Nijinsky (1970)

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