Affirmed - 1978 Kentucky Derby Winner
Here Affirmed begins his conquest of the Triple Crown. He went on to become the 1978 Triple Crown winner, as well as 2-time horse of the year, and only the 11th horse (as of 2007) to ever accomplish the feat of winning the Triple Crown. He was ridden by 18-year-old Steve Cauthen and defeated his arch rival, Alydar, three times - at the Derby, the Preakness and finally at the Belmont.
While at stud, Affirmed sired winners which brought a combined total in excess of $44 million. His own personal winnings equaled $2,393,818.00.
In 2001, Affirmed was euthanized from laminitis - a circulatory hoof disease. This same disease caused the death of Secretariat and Barbaro. As the ultimate honor for this magnificent horse, he was burried whole at Jonabell Farm, wearing the flamingo pink silks of his original owners, Harbor View Farm.