American Pharoah became the first horse in 37 years to win US racing’s Triple Crown.
History
The Triple Crown is a title given to horses that can win all three of America’s biggest races – theKentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Since 1875 only 12 horses have ever managed this, three of which did so in the 1970s -Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed in 1978.
It’s been a long wait for another Triple Crown, but finally on Saturday (6 June) racing fans were treated to another history-making moment.
Star colt
The Bob Baffert-trained American Pharoah has won all but his very first start out of eight runs.
Having beaten 17 other rivals to take the Kentucky Derby in May and then taken the Preakness spoils by some seven lengths a fortnight later, the Pioneerof The Nile-sired colt started as favourite for the final leg at Belmont Park.
He lived up to his promise by making all under his usual jockey Victor Espinoza, staying on strongly to win by five-and-a-half lengths from Frosted. It was the second-fastest race time since the great Secretariat.
Connections
The huge crowd at Belmont erupted as the bay colt crossed the finish line, his jockey punching the air in delight.
“The last quarter of a mile I knew he was going to win, and I couldn’t believe it – I just listed to the crowd roar,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “Everyone has been waiting for so long for this, but I’ve been waiting longer than most! This was my fourth time for the Triple Crown and you can’t be just a ‘little bit’ better, you have to be way better.”
Bob paid tribute to the remarkable colt, who is mostnotable for his mellow temperament and long, ground-covering stride. “He’s superior, he’s got a great mind, and every time I ride him I see another dimension to him. As a trainer I’ve been fortunate to have some good horses but you all hope for a super horse, and this is him now.”
His owner-breederAhmed Zayat added: “Everyone was waiting to see something special, and we got it. It was an unbelievable, special moment.”