Starting in the early 1900s, horse racing fans began to notice that three of the top Grade 1 races occasionally had a phenomenon occur where a single horse won all three. These races were eventually termed the Triple Crown. The most famous is the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown leg. Now, almost 100 years since the first one was accomplished, there have been several changes to the Triple Crown — and not as many winners as you would expect.
Kentucky Derby Triple Crown History
In order to obtain the Triple Crown title, a horse must win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. While it is a premier and well-desired result for horse racing today, the idea for the Triple Crown evolved slowly. There have been obstacles throughout the years preventing the Triple Crown from being won. In 1911, New York banned betting, resulting in the Belmont Stakes being prohibited in 1911 and 1912. In addition, the Preakness was not running from 1891 to 1893.
Despite all the roadblocks, about 40 years after the first Kentucky Derby, the first Triple Crown was won in 1919 by Sir Barton. After this sole victory, the subsequent Triple Crown wins became less attainable as the Preakness was often run on the same day (or before) as the Kentucky Derby. The last time that the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness occurred on the same day was in 1922. After the Triple Crown was recognized as a desirable kind of victory to bet on, the Preakness has always followed the Kentucky Derby. Despite the three Grade 1 race victory condition, the Triple Crown was not labeled as such until later.
How the Kentucky Derby Triple Crown Was Named
After the 1922 incident where the Triple Crown rules changed, the Daily Racing Form started to propagate the term in 1923. Later in 1930, writer Charles Hatton on the DRF was credited with coinging the words “Triple Crown.” Interestingly, the term Triple Crown is popular throughout other sports while every nation that has horse racing tends to have a Triple Crown racing series of their own. The official name in America is the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
The first Triple Crown Trophy
For each leg of the Triple Crown, including the Kentucky Derby, there is a separate trophy – and there is a trophy for the Triple Crown itself. The first Triple Crown trophy was crafted in 1950 by Cartier. Since then, the expensive box and trophy has typically been carried by Ed Seigenfeld, the Executive Vice President of Triple Crown Productions.
Triple Crown Bonus Money
Winning the Kentucky Derby brings a $2 million dollar purse. The Preakness and Belmont Stakes bring an additional purse of $1 million each. However, if $4 million is not enough, then there have been sponsors in the past that promised the Triple Crown winner an additional set of millions. When the idea of sponsorship for the Triple Crown began, in 1987, the Chrysler Corporation promised $5 million. In 1998, VISA also promised $5 million — but withdrew this offer in 2006. Currently, the Triple Crown bonus is no longer in effect; many blame the 34-year drought in Triple Crown winners.
Notable Triple Crown Winners
There are a few fun facts about horses, jockeys, and trainers that have been a part of Triple Crown history. For example, Whirlaway was the only horse to win the Triple Crown and the Travers Stakes making him a “Superfecta”. D. Wayne Lukas won the Triple Crown in a strange way in 1995 – he rode a different horse in one of the races. There is one case of two horses attaining the Triple Crown where one has sired the other when Gallant Fox (1930) fathered Omaha (1935).
What about the Kentucky Derby Fillies?
In the history of the Triple Crown, there has also been a component for all-female races. While the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes can be won by either male or female horses; there is such a thing as the Filly Triple Crown or the Triple Tiara. Currently, a horse that wins the Kentucky Oaks, Black Eyed Susan Stakes, and the Acorn Stakes is a Filly Triple Crown winner. The most famous Filly Triple Crown winner is Davona Dale who won in 1979.
Why Is There A Triple Crown Drought?
It’s easy to predict winners at the Kentucky Derby, so the reason for no Triple Crown winner since 1978 has horse race industry leaders hypothesizing. Popular theories include the fact that the breeding pool for Thoroughbred horses has been officially over-bred. When the Kentucky Derby was originally founded in 1875, it was to show off the best horses of the current breeding season. 400 years after the first Arabians were brought to England to start the Thoroughbred breed, some horse breeders feel that it is time for an important change to the gene pool.
Although there are many ways to measure genetic information in the modern world, one of the best ideas comes from horse racing origins. The concept is to work with horse breeders in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Persian Gulf like the United Arab Emirates. This is where horses were first bred and horse racing is still prominent in the region.
As the horse racing industry in the Middle East continues to thrive, it is likely that these horses will make their way into the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown history. Already, the new Road to the Roses prep season system for selecting Kentucky Derby contenders includes a major horse race in Dubai. With a little bit of luck, the introduction of new blood means that the drought of the Triple Crown will come to an end.