Golden Horn may have carved his name in racing history on Saturday (6 June) taking the Derby at Epsom, but across the pond, American Pharoah joined an even more elite group of superstar horses when he became the first horse for 37 years to win the US Triple Crown.
The Bob Baffert-trained colt, who had already won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, completed one of the most difficult sequences in sport when romping home over a mile and a half in the Belmont Stakes in New York.
Slowly away from the stalls under Victor Espinoza, the long striding colt was soon in front cutting out the running. Granted an easy lead by his rivals he merely stretched clear up the straight to win by five and a half lengths.
Whether it is a vintage year for American three-year-olds only time will tell but it is hard to knock American Pharoah. He overcame a wide draw at Churchill Downs, slopped through the mud at Pimlico and galloped his rivals into submission at Belmont – all in the space of five weeks. He has talent and versatility.
The horse retuned to Churchill Downs on Sunday where he will have a “nice holiday” before plans are decided for the rest of his season.
The three-year-old colt’s owner Egyptian-American entrepreneur. Ahmed Zayat told US press the horse cold still run again this season.
“It is my genuine desire, as someone who loves horses, as a fan, to race him as long as I possibly could, at least — at least — until he finishes (as a) three-year-old,” said Ahmed.
If you want to see how a racehorse is given the Hollywood A list treatment then you had better book your Breeders’ Cup ticket to Keeneland on October 31 now.
