America's most recent Triple Crown winner was foaled in 1975. A champion in each of his racing seasons, Affirmed was bred in Florida by Lou Wolfson and carried his colors to Horse of the Year honors in 1978 and '79 with Laz Barrera as trainer.
Affirmed's 2 and 3-year-old seasons were dominated by neck and neck competition with Calumet colt, Alydar. Their conflict was decided when Affirmed earned Triple Crown honors in 1978, an event which also brought teen jockey, Steve Cauthen, to prominence. As a 2-year-old Affirmed lost the Great American Stakes to Alydar, beat him by a half-length in the Hopeful, and by a nose in the Belmont Futurity, but lost to him by 1 3/4 lengths in the Champagne Stakes. Recovering from his loss, Affirmed defeated Alydar in the Laurel Futurity.
As the leading stakes earner of 1978, Affirmed won eight consecutive races at 3, including the Triple Crown. Affirmed was the eleventh winner of this prestigious series.
As a four-year-old, Affirmed won the Hollywood Gold Cup, set a track record in the Santa Anita Handicap, defeated Belmont winner Coastal in the Woodward, and won the Jockey Club Gold Cup against Spectacular Bid.
Awards
Champion 2-year-old Colt, 1977
Horse of the Year, 1978-79
Champion 3-year-old Colt, 1978
Champion Older Male, 1979
Affirmed retired with five Eclipse Awards and record-shattering lifetime earnings of $2,393,818. A well-known sire, his offspring include 1993 Horse of the Year Flawlessly and Peteski.
Affirmed was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1980.
