The three races in order
| Leg | Race | Timing | Distance | Traditional venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky Derby | First Saturday in May | 1 1/4 miles | Churchill Downs, Louisville |
| 2 | Preakness Stakes | Two weeks after the Derby | 1 3/16 miles | Pimlico, Baltimore |
| 3 | Belmont Stakes | Three weeks after the Preakness | 1 1/2 miles traditional | Belmont Park, New York |
The distances change shape across the series: the Preakness is actually the shortest leg, then the Belmont traditionally stretches out to a mile and a half, the longest dirt trip most of these horses will ever attempt. The five-week window is the real filter. A Derby winner has to hold form through two more peak efforts while fresh horses, some of whom skipped a leg on purpose, wait in each field.
Venues can shift temporarily: in 2026 the Preakness ran at Laurel Park for the first time while Pimlico is rebuilt, and the Belmont ran at Saratoga at 1 1/4 miles during Belmont Park's reconstruction, with the traditional trip expected back when the new Belmont Park reopens. Always confirm the current year's venue and distance with the official race sources.
Every Triple Crown winner
| Year | Horse |
|---|---|
| 1919 | Sir Barton |
| 1930 | Gallant Fox |
| 1935 | Omaha |
| 1937 | War Admiral |
| 1941 | Whirlaway |
| 1943 | Count Fleet |
| 1946 | Assault |
| 1948 | Citation |
| 1973 | Secretariat |
| 1977 | Seattle Slew |
| 1978 | Affirmed |
| 2015 | American Pharoah |
| 2018 | Justify |
The gaps tell the story: eight winners in the series' first 30 years, then a 25-year wait for Secretariat, a 37-year wait after Affirmed, and only two sweeps since. No horse has won the Triple Crown since Justify in 2018.
Common questions
What are the Triple Crown races in order?
Kentucky Derby (first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs), Preakness Stakes (two weeks later), and Belmont Stakes (three weeks after the Preakness). All three are Grade 1 dirt races for three-year-olds.
How many horses have won the Triple Crown?
Thirteen, from Sir Barton in 1919 to Justify in 2018. The 37-year gap between Affirmed (1978) and American Pharoah (2015) shows how hard the sweep is.
Why is winning all three so difficult?
A horse gets one three-year-old season to do it, against fresh challengers in each race, across three distances up to a mile and a half, on a five-week schedule that allows little recovery. Any single weakness usually shows up somewhere in the series.
Did anyone win the Triple Crown in 2026?
No. Golden Tempo won the 2026 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes but skipped the Preakness, which Napoleon Solo won, so there was no Triple Crown bid at the Belmont.
Primary sources
Verify the current editions
Dates, venues, and conditions can change year to year. Confirm with the official race sites.