It’s interesting to note that a decade has passed. The world has experienced significant events since American Pharoah achieved the Triple Crown in 2015 and solidified his 3-year-old year with a memorable “Grand Slam” victory at the Breeders’ Cup Classic in Keeneland. For numerous racing aficionados, the memory remains remarkably clear concerning this outstanding thoroughbred. This horse was the first Triple Crown victor after Affirmed back in 1978, endearing himself to a vast audience.
This bay colt, a product of Pioneerof the Nile, didn’t win his initial race on Del Mar’s artificial track. However, he quickly turned things around with a commanding 4 ¾-length triumph at the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, and proceeded to win by 3 ¼ lengths in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes held at Santa Anita Park, all under the guidance of Victor Espinoza. Bob Baffert, a Hall of Fame trainer, had intentions of entering him into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile located at Santa Anita. Regrettably, a bruise on his left front foot stopped him from participating. Regardless, American Pharoah was recognized as the top 2-year-old male when he received the Eclipse Award representing Ahmed Zayat’s Zayat Stables, who both owned and bred the colt. As he geared up for his 3-year-old debut, there was a considerable build-up stemming from impressive training sessions in Southern California.
Claiming American Pharoah’s return was worthwhile would be an immense understatement. (Note: All QUOTABLE comments from BloodHorse magazine.)
March 14: $750,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park
RECAP: American Pharoah was entering his first race following a break lasting more than 5 ½ months. He was presented with a muddy track at Oaklawn Park, a first for his career. Adding to the complications, he stumbled at the start of the Rebel Stakes, which resulted in the partial detachment of his right front shoe. These challenges proved inconsequential to his dominance that day. American Pharoah immediately surged to the forefront, dictated a comfortable tempo with Espinoza, and proceeded to win by an easy 6 ¼ lengths.
QUOTABLE: Baffert commented, “This horse manages everything effortlessly. It wasn’t too hard on him. His right front shoe wasn’t correctly positioned and when he is able to run like that – consistently – it highlights his extraordinary abilities.”
April 11: $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park
RECAP: American Pharoah demonstrated to the estimated 67,500 attendees of the Arkansas Derby that he was more than just a front-runner. His prior three victories involved leading from the beginning; however, when Bridget’s Big Luvy, an underdog with odds of 38.20-1, established a three-length advantage in the initial half-mile, American Pharoah settled comfortably in second place. As they approached the far turn, Espinoza signaled him forward, and he swept to the front. Frank Mirahmadi, the track announcer, described what followed as “a mesmerizing performance.” American Pharoah accelerated away to secure an eight-length victory, while Espinoza remained motionless on his back.
QUOTABLE: Ahmed Zayat stated, “He stands as the finest horse I have ever possessed. Breeding a horse with such talent is a universal aspiration within this industry. This wonderful experience is so delightful; I hope never to awaken from it. It has genuinely warmed our hearts.”
May 2: $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
RECAP: American Pharoah emerged victorious in his two preparatory races with odds of 2-5 and 1-10. However, racehorses are only afforded one opportunity at achieving glory in the Kentucky Derby. On May 2, 2015, he was favored at 2.90-1 to be adorned with the garland of roses. American Pharoah initiated well before a record assembly of 170,513 and positioned himself in third. Ahead of him were Dortmund, another Baffert horse who had won the Santa Anita Derby, setting the pace, and Firing Line, the Sunland Derby champion, through three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.29. As they entered the far turn, after an easy run on the backstretch guided by Espinoza, American Pharoah rallied from about five paths wide into the stretch. He ran alongside a determined Firing Line and gradually edged forward, clinching the win by a length.
QUOTABLE: Gary Young, a bloodstock representative and private clocker who has observed many of American Pharoah’s morning routines, commented, “I have been in this field for 35 years, and I believe he is possibly the greatest horse I have ever seen. He spends longer in the air compared to any other horse, and you have the feeling that he has reached his maximum speed. However, he might possess two, three, or even four additional gears.”
May 16: $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
RECAP: The Preakness Stakes was a rematch including the top three finishers of the Kentucky Derby – American Pharoah, Firing Line, and Dortmund. Unlike the Kentucky Derby, where the victor faced a challenge in the stretch, at Pimlico Race Course he was clearly in front at the finish. Mr. Z challenged American Pharoah early on a main track that had been rendered sloppy by the continuous rain leading up to the race. However, the surface posed no obstacle. American Pharoah took a 2 ½-length lead after running a swift half-mile in :46.49 and firmly dominated in Baltimore, before a record-breaking attendance of 131,680.
QUOTABLE: Baffert exclaimed while watching American Pharoah train for the Preakness, “Wow, look at that horse. He moves with the grace of a Ferrari.”
BONUS QUOTABLE: Baffert remarked following the Preakness, “When you give him carrots, he behaves like a pet. Typically, they act like athletes, always eager to perform, but he is exceptionally gentle. He is treated with the utmost care. Seeing him dominate that stretch was a truly magical experience.”
June 6: $1.5 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park
RECAP: In the period between Affirmed’s Triple Crown win in 1978 and American Pharoah’s attempt in 2015, 13 three-year-old horses had secured victories in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. However, none of them could achieve the sweep, including prominent horses such as Spectacular Bid (1979) and beloved crowd favorites like Smarty Jones (2004) and California Chrome (2014). Baffert himself had taken three horses to New York with a chance to win the Triple Crown, but twice he finished second, just three-quarters of a length short with Silver Charm in 1997 and heartbreakingly close with Real Quiet in 1998. Excellent three-year-old horses – Hall of Fame-worthy – had attempted and fallen short in the 37 years following Affirmed. However, on June 6, 2015, there was no drama, no frustration, and no sadness resulting from another unsuccessful bid; instead, there was elation. American Pharoah made sure of this by seizing command early in the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion” and proceeding unchallenged down the stretch. He attained a dominant 5 ½-length victory, which was intoxicating to the 90,000 spectators (attendance was limited for the race) gathered at Belmont Park.
QUOTABLE: Jockey Espinoza stated after securing the 12th Triple Crown in racing history, “This is truly amazing. I had more confidence leading up to this race compared to the previous two. I simply hoped that American Pharoah felt the same level of confidence as I did. The feeling I experienced on the first turn [after taking the lead] was incredible. The way he moves, the way he extends his legs, makes you feel as if you’re moving in slow motion.”
BONUS QUOTABLE: Baffert declared following the Belmont, “God placed him in my care, and this animal is truly remarkable. We have waited thirty-seven years for this, but you know what? This incredible horse deserves it. Now I understand how Billy Turner felt when he had Seattle Slew. You just know as you lead them to the starting gate … that they will come through for you.”
Aug. 2: $1.75 million Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park
RECAP: After American Pharoah completed his Triple Crown sweep, some observers doubted that fans would have another opportunity to see him on the track given his considerable worth as a stallion. However, the owner, Ahmed Zayat, emphasized throughout the Triple Crown events the critical need for a star in the horse racing world, and he maintained his promise to keep the horse in training. Eight weeks after the Triple Crown, American Pharoah participated in the Haskell Invitational Stakes, and the dominance of the Pioneerof the Nile colt persisted. He closely followed Competitive Edge from second place, held back slightly by Espinoza. He surpassed the pacesetter as they neared the stretch and easily moved to the finish line, securing a 2 ¼-length lead over the late-closing Keen Ice.
QUOTABLE: Zayat explained, “This occasion was really for the supporters, and I did not want to let them down. My initial emotion was one of extreme nervousness because I was hoping everyone would feel pride and witness a genuine star continuing to prosper.”
August 29: $1.6 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
RECAP: Saratoga Race Course has a well-deserved ominous designation: “graveyard of champions.” The track in upstate New York is not actually a cemetery. The name signifies its history of upsets, like Man o’ War’s unexpected defeat in the 1919 Sanford Stakes by a horse named Upset. Gallant Fox lost to Jim Dandy in the 1930 Travers, Onion stunned Secretariat in the 1973 Whitney Handicap, and in 2015 American Pharoah met his only defeat at Saratoga during the Travers. Grade 1 victor Frosted pursued pacesetter American Pharoah, maintaining second position until the final turn of the 1 ¼-mile race. He briefly took the lead in the stretch. American Pharoah valiantly retaliated from his inner position and gradually overcame the challenging contender. However, he lost momentum as Keen Ice, a longshot with 16-1 odds, surged from behind in the final furlong to achieve a victory by three-quarters of a length.
QUOTABLE: Baffert commented following the Travers, “Sometimes, he appears invincible, but they all face defeat at some point. No horse has achieved what he has. I’ve never conditioned a horse capable of consistently delivering impressive results. I’ve had horses that had brilliant moments, but they could not sustain that level. He almost pulled it off.”
Oct. 31: $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland
RECAP: Ahmed Zayat mentioned possibly retiring American Pharoah after the Travers defeat. Yet, it was the racehorse’s actions that convinced Baffert he was not ready to stop racing. The trainer reassured the Zayat family that “he would be ready to go” for one final event, the Breeders’ Cup Classic hosted at Keeneland. American Pharoah raced against seven horses in his final career start. The lineup included six Grade/Group 1 winners, but the seasoned thoroughbred converted the 1 ¼-mile race into a relaxing jog, thus concluding what many had called the “Grand Slam” – specifically the Triple Crown complemented by the Classic win. He established a definite early lead by the first turn and maintained that advantage. By the quarter-pole, he had extended his lead to 3 ½ lengths. He moved past the finish line 6 ½ lengths ahead of Effinex, who secured second place, before a crowd of 50,155 spectators.
QUOTABLE: Baffert commented, “I began to weep as he turned for home. I thought about my parents [who had passed away]. This horse has a guardian angel looking over him. He represents a gift from a higher power. This horse possessed intelligence, speed, and an amazing persona. He was the prototype for racehorses.”
American Pharoah concluded his racing career with nine wins in 11 starts, and $8,650,300 accumulated in earnings. He was positioned at Ashford Stud in Central Kentucky as a stallion in 2016 and was recognized as the top freshman sire of 2019. American Pharoah entered the Racing Hall of Fame in 2021 and persists in his second career as a stallion at Ashford, with his seventh group of runners, the 2-year-olds, arriving in 2025. Mr. A. P., a 2-year-old ridgling son of American Pharoah, came back to place second in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Oct. 31 at Del Mar.
