Sir Barton 1919
Ridden by John Loftus, trained by H.G. Bedwell, and owned by J.K.L. Ross.
Sir Barton was bred by John E. Madden and Vivian Goach. While racing for Madden early in his career he didn't place in the money at all. So Mr. Madden sold him privately to Canadian Naval Commander J.K.L. Ross for $10,000 during his two year old year.
Sir Barton was only entered in the Kentucky Derby to set an early pace to tire the field so that his stablemate Billy Kelly could come from behind and win. The plan was going really well until Billy Kelly couldn't catch Sir Barton in the stretch.
Only four days after his win at Churchill Downs, he ran in the Preakness Stakes and crossed the finish line ahead of Eternal by four lengths to win.
He went on to win the Belmont with ease becoming the first Triple Crown winner although the three races were not given that title until the 1930s.
Gallant Fox 1930
Ridden by Earle Sande, trained by James Fitzsimmons, and owned by Belair Stud.
Gallant Fox trained best in company but they had to use a relay system as no other horse in the barn could keep pace with him for long. Earle Sande came out of retirement to become Gallant Fox's regular jockey in the colt's three year old year.
The Preakness Stakes was run before the Kentucky Derby that year. He placed first over Crack Brigade by three quarters of a length going away.
In that year's Kentucky Derby a starting gate was used for the first time. That proved to be no obstacle for Gallant Fox who was the easy winner with Gallant Knight finishing second.
Earle Sande suffered an automobile accident just before the running of the Belmont Stakes but in spite of his injuries he rode Gallant Fox in a wire tor wire victory over the supposedly invincible Whichone.
Omaha 1935
Ridden by William Saunders, trained by James Fitzsimmons, and owned by Belair Stud.
Omaha was sired by Gallant Fox and out of Flambino.
With his father's legacy backing him Omaha came from the outside to win the Kentucky Derby by a length and a half.
Only a week later he won almost effortlessly in the Preakness with six lengths between him and Firethorn who came in second.
That year the day of the Belmont Stakes dawned gray and wet producing a very sloppy track. Firethorn took the lead as the pack made their way into the stretch. But Omaha came from behind with a powerful stretch drive and passed Firethorn to win.
War Admiral 1937
Ridden by Charly Kurtsinger, trained by George Conway, and owned by Samuel D. Riddle.
War Admiral was made even more famous by his inaccurate portrayal in the movie "Seabiscuit" where they claimed he was a giant black horse close to 18 hands tall. In reality this son of Man O'War was an unassuming 15.3 hands high and was dark brown.
Back in his racing days he was known for his hatred of the starting gate. He held up the start of the Kentucky Derby for eight minutes. When the race finally begun he led the field from start to finish, beating the two year old champion, Pompoon.
Pompoon was back for vengeance in the Preakness catching War Admiral off the turn. This resulted in the most exciting duel in Pimlico's history. But in spite of Pompoon's efforts, War Admiral went on to win.
At the Belmont War Admiral once again held up the start as he fought entering the starting gate. At the break, War Admiral stumbled and cut off a quarter inch of his right heel, he then led from wire to wire and tied the American record of 2:28 3/5 for the mile and a half.
Whirlaway 1941
Ridden by Eddie Arcaro, trained by Ben A. Jones, and owned by Calumet Farm.
Whirlaway was best known for his unusually thick tail, giving inspiration for his nickname "The Flying Tail" and his inability to run in a straight line. He would bear out towards the outer rail, or if he got out in front he would zig-zag across the track. Ben Jones called him "the dumbest horse I've ever trained", but he also called him "the fastest horse he'd ever trained."
After extensive training he managed to run in something close to a straight line to win the Kentucky Derby by eight lengths. His time of 2:01 2/5 was a new track record and it stood for twenty years.
At the Preakness he broke so slowly from the gate even the field's dust was quickly pulling further and further away. But in the back stretch he shifted gears and roared by the other horses to win by five and a half lengths.
Because of his performance in the Preakness only four horses went up against him in the Belmont. And once again he won with ease.
To view the other six horses who have won the Triple Crown click here.
Rachel Thayer - Rachel has had an inquiring mind ever since she started reading at the age of four. Quickly devouring every book in the house and moving ...
