The last US Triple Crown winner remains a name that still carries real weight in the sport of horse racing – JUSTIFY.
In 2018, he did what so many brilliant colts before him couldn’t and string together victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes – completing the US Triple Crown with an authority that felt almost effortless.
Yet, the deeper you dig, the more extraordinary his achievement becomes.
A Triple Crown Bid Built at Breakneck Speed
Unlike most Classic contenders, Justify arrived at Churchill Downs with barely any experience.
In fact, he hadn’t even raced as a two-year-old-something that hadn’t been done by a Derby winner since 1882. That stat alone should have ruled him out.
But did head into the Derby with two wins at Santa Anita and also a win in the Santa Anita Derby (later disqualified), so was starting to make a name for himself.
Trained by Bob Baffert and ridden in all three legs by Mike Smith, Justify bulldozed through convention.
He went from maiden winner in February to Derby champion in May, handling sloppy conditions at Churchill with power and composure.
And in the process cement his name in the US horse racing hall-of-fame.
Justify Followed Up In a Wet Preakness
Two weeks later in Baltimore, the Preakness was run in near-apocalyptic rain.
Visibility was poor, the track was a sea of mud-and still, Justify made every yard of the running, refusing to yield when challenged.
By the time Belmont Park came around, the question wasn’t just whether he could win it was whether the grind of three races in five weeks would finally catch up with him.
It didn’t.
Breaking sharply, dictating the pace, and kicking clear in the straight, Justify sealed the Triple Crown in emphatic front-running style.
He retired unbeaten, six wins from six starts-a rarity at that level-and immediately entered the conversation among the greats.
WATCH: Justify Landing The 2018 Triple Crown After Winning The Belmont Stakes
The Shadow of History-And The Rarity Of The US Triple Crown Feat
To appreciate Justify fully, you have to place him in context.
Before him, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015 – and was also trained by Bob Baffert.
However, prior to the two Baffert winners, the Triple Crown drought had lasted 37 years, stretching back to Affirmed in 1978.
Who also remains the last Kentucky Derby hero to win from post position 2.
That long gap only underlined how punishing the modern Triple Crown is-different tracks, different conditions, relentless pressure.
So, for two Triple Crown winners to emerge within four years was something few thought likely in the modern era.
And for both these recent US Triple Crown winners to be also trained by the Bob Baffert barn was another remarkable modern-day feat.
WATCH: American Pharoah Winning The US Triple Crown In 2015
Every US Triple Crown Winners (13)
Here’s the full roll of honour-13 horses who managed to conquer the US Triple Crown.
- Sir Barton
- Gallant Fox
- Omaha
- War Admiral
- Whirlaway
- Count Fleet
- Assault
- Citation
- Secretariat
- Seattle Slew
- Affirmed
- American Pharoah
- Justify
Where Justify Stands
It’s always tempting to compare eras, but Justify’s case is unique.
He compressed what is usually a long, carefully managed campaign into just a few months-and never looked vulnerable doing it.
Some will still lean toward Secretariat for sheer brilliance, particularly that otherworldly Belmont performance.
Others favour the grit of Seattle Slew or the rivalry that defined Affirmed.
But, for many, Justify belongs in that same breath.
Unbeaten. Uncomplicated. Unstoppable when it mattered most.
And until the next colt manages to navigate that same unforgiving path, his 2018 sweep remains the most recent reminder of just how rare-and how special a Triple Crown winner truly is.
WATCH: Secretariat Winning The Belmont Stakes in 1972
