Affirmed was one of the greatest thoroughbreds in the history of American horse racing . Thoroughbreds are horses whose ancestry can be traced back to three Arabian stallions that were brought to England, probably from the Middle East, in the late 1600’s and early 1700’s. Stallions are male horses that can be used for breeding.
During his three-year career, Affirmed won 22 of 29 races and finished second 5 times. In 1978, he became the 11th horse to win the Triple Crown of American racing. The Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby , the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Affirmed was named Horse of the Year in 1978 and 1979. He was the first race horse with career earnings of more than $2 million.
In 1977 and 1978, Affirmed competed in 10 races that included the American horse Alydar. Those races featured so many exciting finishes between the two horses that they have been called the greatest rivalry in American horse racing history. Affirmed finished ahead of Alydar in eight of the races, including the Triple Crown races. But Affirmed was disqualified after finishing first in their last race together, and the victory was awarded to Alydar. Affirmed beat Alydar by 1 1/2 lengths in the Kentucky Derby, by a neck in the Preakness Stakes, and by a head in the Belmont Stakes.
Affirmed was born on Feb. 21, 1975, on a farm near Ocala, Florida. His sire (father) was the race horse Exclusive Native and his dam (mother) was Won’t Tell You. Affirmed made his racing debut on May 24, 1977. His last race was on Oct. 6, 1979. After he was retired, Affirmed sired a number of stakes winners. He was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1980. The horse died on Jan. 12, 2001.
