The Triple Crown is regarded as one of horse racing’s finest challenging feats. Trainers, jockeys, and fans could tell it’s hard to win all three races— the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes in the same year.
Only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown since the competition’s inception in 1919. And these iconic wins can be attributed to the trainers and stables that drilled and polished the athletic performance of these legendary champions. Let’s explore the winningest stables that upskilled the most remarkable horses we know today.
Calumet Farm
Calumet Farm, established in Lexington, Kentucky, is widely regarded as one of the industry’s most renowned horse racing stables. It is home to iconic Whirlaway and citation, who are both Triple Crown victors. Additionally, the farm has produced eight Kentucky Derby winners and eight Preakness Stakes winners. Calumet Farm’s Triple Crown win has established them as a renowned stable in the horse racing industry.
Warren Wright, a horse racing and breeding enthusiast, owned the Calumet Farm. He was noted for his painstaking attention to detail and raising physically and psychologically robust horses.
Whirlaway, who also earned the Horse of the Year in 1942, won Calumet Farm’s first Triple Crown in the previous year. Then, Calumet won another Triple Crown title with Citation in 1948 and also earned the Horse of the Year in the same year. Pensive in 1944 and Tim Tam in 1958 were Calumet’s previous champions who fell short of the Triple Crown, for they only won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.
Zayat Stables
Zayat Stables started in 2005 in Hackensack, New Jersey, is a relatively young stable. The stable has, however, recently produced a Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah, in 2015. The champions were a favorite among fans who participated in live horse racing betting. Ahmed Zayat, a famous businessman and horse breeder, created the Zayat Stables. And it is well known for producing strong, fast, competitive horses. The stable’s success in the Triple Crown and with all other races has elevated it to the ranks of horse racing’s emerging stables.
Meadow Stable
Meadow Stable in Doswell, Virginia, is another prominent stable with multiple Triple Crown winners. Meadow Stable was established by Christopher Chenery, who began horse breeding in the 1930s. His daughter Penny Chenery made Meadow Stable even more popular in the 1970s.
Secretariat, a Meadow Stable horse, won the Triple Crown in 1973 and set the record in all three races that remain iconic today. This win ended the 25-year drought of the Triple Crown. Moreover, it was Meadow Stables’ Triple Crown title. Secretariat, until today, holds the title of the fastest ever to finish the three Triple Crown races. Riva Ridge, another Meadow Stable horse, won only Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes two years later.
In 1977, Meadow Stable repeated the stunt and won the Triple Crown, this time with Seattle Slew, who was unbeatable during his career. In 1978, Affirmed, another Meadow Stable horse, sealed the third Triple Crown after winning Belmont Stakes in a thrilling duel with Alydar. Meadow Stable has three Triple Crown victories in total.
Belair Stud
Belair Stud, located in Bowie, Maryland, is a historically popular stable established in 1903. Belair Stud was well-known for producing horses who were physically robust and competitive. Gallant Fox in 1930 and Omaha in 1935 were the stable’s only Triple Crown champions. The two horses were the second and third Triple Crown victors, respectively. It is also worth noting that Omaha was the offspring of Gallant Fox.
William Woodward Sr., a famed businessman and horse breeder, owned the stable. Belair Stud’s Triple Crown triumph established them as one of the most renowned stables in the horse racing industry. Besides the stable’s Triple Crown fame, it has earned three Kentucky Derby wins, three in Preakness Stakes, and another six Belmont Stakes triumphs.
WinStar Farm
WinStar, situated in Versailles, Kentucky, is a legendary stable built in 2000 by Kenny Trout. WinStar Farm was well-known for producing stallions who were physically and intellectually powerful, ready to conquer mainstream horse racing competitions across the globe
Kenny Troutt, famed for his love of horse racing and breeding, made this stable to become known today. Remarkably, Justify, who won the latest Triple Crown title, was owned by WinStar Farm. In 2016, the stable was awarded the 2010 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner and 2016 Outstanding Breeder.
Final Thoughts
Winning in the Triple Crown is a tremendous and noteworthy accomplishment that takes a great horse, a talented jockey, an experienced trainer, and a reputable stable. The stables and owners we have included in our list have shown to be the best in the racing world, producing Triple Crown champs, one of the sport’s most significant milestones. Though the Triple Crown has only been won 13 times in history, it remains the ultimate purpose for many trainers and owners worldwide.
