American Pharoah roars to Triple Crown

Bob Baffert, trainer of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, admits the feeling of finally achieving the Holy Grail of American racing will take a while to sink in.

Having come close several times before with the likes of Real Quiet and Silver Charm, Baffert realised his dream of guiding a horse through the toughest five weeks possible, beginning with the Kentucky Derby, taking in the Preakness Stakes before winning the Belmont in New York.

In doing so American Pharoah became the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win all three legs of the Triple Crown. The result was never in doubt, with Victor Espinoza, who came close to pulling off the feat last year with California Chrome, guiding American Pharoah to a five-and-a-half-length win over Godolphin’s Frosted.