The Triple Crown of American horse racing–comprising the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes–is one of the most highly ranked achievements in the sport. And, since Sir Barton’s inaugural win in 1919, only 13 horses have managed to pull off this magnificent feat, each horse having left a legendary mark on racing history.

As we approach the final leg of the competition, the Belmont Stakes, in June – and it’s clear there will be no Triple Crown winner this time, let’s take a look at the most celebrated and successful Triple Crown horses ever… and maybe we’ll have a new one to add to the list in 2026.

Secretariat (1973)

It was the obvious place to start – the legendary Secretariat, often considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time. Secretariat’s legendary 1973 Triple Crown victory is still one of the most iconic performances of all time – so much so that the horse even had a film made about him!

His Belmont Stakes performance, where he ended up winning by a massive 31 lengths – and set a world record of 2:24 for 1 1⁄2 miles, that still stands to this day, is nothing short of legendary. Secretariat dominated the sports in a way that brought all the world’s attention to horse racing – and set the benchmark for horse racing excellence.

Seattle Slew (1977)

Next, we have Seattle Slew, who made history as the first horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. In his famous 1977 campaign, he showcased not only his incredible speed but also his sheer resilience as he overcame the obstacles that each race threw at him.

But it didn’t stop there. His legacy was further cemented by his success as a sire- and he ended up influencing generations of future racehorses.

Affirmed (1978)

Just one year later came Affirmed, whose Triple Crown journey became famous for many reasons… including his fierce rivalry with Alydar, who he finished just ahead in all three of the races.

Their duels were mesmerising – but it was Affirmed’s tenacity and consistency that earned him the crown. Unfortunately, his victories were the end of a golden era, as no horse would go on to achieve the Triple Crown for another 37 years.

American Pharoah (2015)

It was American Pharoah, however, that did manage to break that 37-year drought, and the 2015 Triple Crown win definitely played a role in reigniting the country’s interest in horse racing.

Trained by Bob Baffert, this was a horse that had that all too rare combination of speed and stamina. American Pharoah also set himself apart from the rest by winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic – earning him the sport’s first-ever “Grand Slam.”

Justify (2018)

Justify more than justifies his place in the list – his 2018 Triple Crown triumph was incredible, as he managed to accomplish the feat without racing as a two-year-old–which is a rare thing in modern racing. Also trained by Bob Baffert, he managed to showcase immense talent and composure, winning all six of his career starts before he retired undefeated.

Looking Ahead: 2025 Belmont Stakes

The 2025 Belmont Stakes, which is scheduled for June 7 at Saratoga Race Course, is the highly anticipated final leg of this year’s Triple Crown series. However, given the results of the Kentucky Derby – won by a horse that has skipped the Preakness Stakes, it means that there is no possibility of a Triple Crown winner this year.

However, that really doesn’t matter – as the Belmont will still be an incredibly popular and exciting event, attracting all the top contenders, millions of viewers – and serve up some seriously thrilling competition.

Betting and the Latest Odds on Horse Racing

No matter what Triple Crown race is on the horizon, bettors will always be closely monitoring the latest odds on horse racing. For the Belmont Stakes, favorites like Journalism, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby, and some of the other strong contenders will definitely get a lot of betting attention. And, with no Triple Crown on the line, the race will be a very open field – and a great betting opportunity!/.