The Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing is an informal name for winning four major Thoroughbred horse races in one season in the United States. The term has been applied to two configurations of races, both of which include the races of the Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes—and either the Travers Stakes or the Breeders' Cup Classic as the final race.
The Travers Stakes Grand Slam is the older version, having been possible since 1875. These four races are sometimes also called the Superfecta or Quadruple Crown.Tiz the Law Tries for Second Leg of 'Quadruple Crown' in Runhappy Travers The Breeders' Cup Classic Grand Slam has been possible since 1984.
Both configurations have been successful once. Whirlaway won the Triple Crown and Travers Stakes in 1941, and American Pharoah won the Triple Crown and Breeder's Cup Classic in 2015.
The Grand Slam moniker is typically only available to three-year-old horses, as the Triple Crown and Travers Stakes are limited to that age. The Breeders' Cup Classic, however, has no age limits, so a Triple Crown winner could win the Classic in subsequent years, although that feat has yet to be attempted. It is unlikely to happen because Triple Crown winners are typically in high demand for stud service.
Quintuple Crown is the suggested name for winning all five races in the same season, a feat yet to be accomplished.
Grand Slam races + Grand Slam races Race Date Current Track Location Distance Background Trophy Kentucky Derby"The Run for the Roses" First Saturday in May Churchill Downs Louisville, Kentucky Inaugurated in 1875, the race was originally until 1896 when it was shortened to its current distance. It is the only one of the four races to have been continuously run from its inception. Colts and geldings carry and fillies . The field has been limited to 20 horses since 1975. The Kentucky Derby Trophy Preakness Stakes"The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" Third Saturday in May Pimlico Race Course Baltimore, Maryland Inaugurated in 1873 and continuously run since 1894, it is the shortest of the four races. Pimlico was the home of the race from 1873 to 1889 and again from 1908 until the present. The Preakness was not run from 1891 to 1893. Weights are the same as for the Derby. Field is limited to 14 horses. The Woodlawn Vase Belmont Stakes"The Test of the Champion" Third Saturday following the Preakness(first or second Saturday in June) Belmont Park Elmont, New York Inaugurated in 1867, though not held in 1911 and 1912 due to anti-gambling legislation in New York. Race was held at various New York tracks until 1905 when Belmont Park became the permanent location. Distance varied from to miles until set at miles in 1926. Weight assignments are the same as the other two races. Field is limited to 16 horses. The August Belmont Trophy Travers Stakes"Mid-summer Derby" Last Saturday in August Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York Inaugurated in 1864, though not held in 1896, 1898, 1899, or 1900 due to financial difficulties, and 1911 and 1912 due to anti-gambling legislation in New York. Distance varied from to miles until set at miles in 1904. The Man o' War Cup Breeders' Cup Classic Last Saturday in October or the first Saturday in November Different location each year Inaugurated in 1984, it is the same length as the Kentucky Derby. The race is held at various different tracks, Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California has hosted the most with nine. The Breeders' Cup Classic differs from the other races in the Grand Slam, as it allows 3 year olds and up to participate. The field is limited to 14 horses. The Breeders' Cup Trophy
Grand Slam winners YearWinnerRacesJockeyTrainerOwnerBreederColors1941WhirlawayKentucky DerbyPreakness StakesBelmont StakesTravers StakesEddie ArcaroBen A. JonesCalumet FarmCalumet Farm2015American PharoahKentucky DerbyPreakness StakesBelmont StakesBreeders' Cup ClassicVictor EspinozaBob BaffertAhmed ZayatAhmed Zayat
Travers Stakes Grand Slam
The Travers Stakes Grand Slam consists of the four oldest races for three-year-olds in the United States. The Travers was first run in 1864, followed by the Belmont in 1867, Preakness in 1873, and Derby in 1875. According to international classifications, the Travers is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds, behind only the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.The World's Top 100 G1 Races for 3yo's and upwards Racing historian Edward Hotaling first designated these four races as the Grand Slam.Whirlway and Alsab
Four horses that won the Triple Crown have attempted to complete the Grand Slam. Whirlaway accomplished the feat in 1941, while Gallant Fox (1930) and American Pharoah (2015, but that came after the modern Grand Slam had been developed) came up short in their attempts. Affirmed (1978) had again defeated Alydar to seemingly win the last pre-Breeders Cup era Grand Slam, but was disqualified for interference. Due to the lack of success in winning the fourth race, the Travers Stakes has been nicknamed the "Graveyard of Champions."
Ten horses have won two legs of the Triple Crown and the Travers Stakes. Fifteen horses have entered all four races and won two or more. Three horses, Duke of Magenta, Grenada, and Man o' War did not enter the Kentucky Derby but won the three other races.
Nine Triple Crown winners did not enter the Travers Stakes. Secretariat withdrew before the race due to illness. However, Ron Turcotte did complete a Grand Slam by riding Annihilate 'Em in the 1973 Travers Stakes.
Multiple race winners
+YearKentucky DerbyPreakness StakesBelmont StakesTravers Stakes1867no race heldno race heldRuthless*Ruthless*1870no race heldno race heldKingfisher*Kingfisher*1871no race heldno race heldHarry Bassett*Harry Bassett*1872no race heldno race heldJoe Daniels*Joe Daniels*1877Baden-Baden*Cloverbrook*Cloverbrook*Baden-Baden*1878Day StarDuke of Magenta*Duke of Magenta*Duke of Magenta*1880FonsoGrenada*Grenada*Grenada*1881Hindoo*Saunterer*Saunterer*Hindoo*1888Macbeth IIRefundSir Dixon*Sir Dixon*1892Azra*no race heldPatronAzra*1894ChantAssigneeHenry of Navarre*Henry of Navarre*1895HalmaBelmar*Belmar*Liza1917Omar Khayyam*KalitanHourlessOmar Khayyam*1919 Sir Barton* Sir Barton* Sir Barton* Hannibal1920 Paul Jones Man o' War* Man o' War* Man o' War*1922MorvichPillory*Pillory*Little Chief1923Zev*Vigil IIZev*Wilderness1930Gallant Fox*Gallant Fox*Gallant Fox*Jim Dandy1931Twenty Grand*MateTwenty Grand*Twenty Grand*1932Burgoo King*Burgoo King*FairenoWar Hero1935Omaha*Omaha*Omaha*Gold Foam1936Bold Venture*Bold Venture*Granville*Granville*1937War Admiral*War Admiral*War Admiral*Burning Star1939Johnstown*ChalledonJohnstown*Eight Thirty1940GallahadionBimelech*Bimelech*Fenelon1941WhirlawayWhirlawayWhirlawayWhirlaway1942Shut Out*AlsabShut Out*Shut Out*1943Count Fleet*Count Fleet*Count Fleet*Eurasian1944Pensive*Pensive*Bounding HomeBy Jimmini1946Assault*Assault*Assault*Natchez1948Citation*Citation*Citation*Ace Admiral1949PonderCapot*Capot*Arise1950Middleground*Hill PrinceMiddleground*Lights Up1952Hill GailBlue ManOne Count*One Count*1953Dark StarNative Dancer*Native Dancer*Native Dancer*1955SwapsNashua*Nashua*Thinking Cap1956Needles*FabiusNeedles*Oh Johnny1957Iron LiegeBold RulerGallant Man*Gallant Man*1958Tim Tam*Tim Tam*CavanPiano Jim1959Tommy LeeRoyal OrbitSword Dancer*Sword Dancer*1961Carry Back*Carry BackSherluckBeau Prince1962DecidedlyGreek MoneyJaipur*Jaipur*1963Chateaugay*Candy SportsChateaugay*Crewman1964Northern Dancer*Northern Dancer*Quadrangle*Quadrangle*1965Lucky DebonairTom RolfeHail To All*Hail To All*1966Kauai King*Kauai King*AmberoidBuckpasser1967Proud ClarionDamascus*Damascus*Damascus* 1968Forward Pass*Forward Pass*Stage Door JohnnyChompion1969Majestic Prince*Majestic Prince*Arts and Letters*Arts and Letters*1971Canonero II*Canonero II*Pass CatcherBold Reason1972Riva Ridge*Bee Bee BeeRiva Ridge*Key To The Mint1973Secretariat*Secretariat*Secretariat*Annihilate 'Em1974CannonadeLittle Current*Little Current*Holding Pattern1976Bold Forbes*ElocutionistBold Forbes*Honest Pleasure1977Seattle Slew*Seattle Slew*Seattle Slew*Jatski1978Affirmed*Affirmed*Affirmed*Alydar1979Spectacular Bid*Spectacular Bid*CoastalGeneral Assembly1980Genuine RiskCodexTemperence Hill*Temperence Hill*1981Pleasant Colony*Pleasant Colony*SummingWillow Hour1984Swale*Gate DancerSwale*Carr de Naskra1987Alysheba*Alysheba*Bet TwiceJava Gold1988Winning ColorsRisen Star*Risen Star*Forty Niner1989Sunday Silence*Sunday Silence*Easy Goer*Easy Goer*1991Strike the GoldHansel*Hansel*Corporate Report1993Sea Hero*Prairie BayouColonial AffairSea Hero*1994Go for GinTabasco Cat*Tabasco Cat*Holly Bull1995Thunder Gulch*Timber CountryThunder Gulch*Thunder Gulch*1997Silver Charm*Silver Charm*Touch GoldDeputy Commander1998Real Quiet*Real Quiet*Victory GallopCoronado's Quest1999Charismatic*Charismatic*Lemon Drop Kid*Lemon Drop Kid*2001MonarchosPoint Given*Point Given*Point Given*2002War Emblem*War Emblem*SaravaMedaglia d'Oro2003Funny Cide*Funny Cide*Empire MakerTen Most Wanted2004Smarty Jones*Smarty Jones*Birdstone*Birdstone*2005GiacomoAfleet Alex*Afleet Alex*Flower Alley2006BarbaroBernardini*JazilBernardini*2007Street Sense*CurlinRags to RichesStreet Sense*2008Big Brown*Big Brown*Da' TaraColonel John2009Mine That BirdRachel AlexandraSummer Bird*Summer Bird*2012I'll Have Another*I'll Have Another*Union RagsAlpha & Golden Ticket2014California Chrome*California Chrome*TonalistV.E. Day2015American Pharoah*American Pharoah*American Pharoah*Keen Ice2018Justify*Justify*Justify*Catholic Boy2021MandalounRombauerEssential Quality*Essential Quality*2023MageNational TreasureArcangelo*Arcangelo*2025Sovereignty*JournalismSovereignty*Sovereignty*2026Golden Tempo*Napoleon SoloGolden Tempo*Leading Change Notes
Gold: Winner of the Grand Slam
Tan: Year one horse won three legs of the Grand Slam races
Multiple Grand Slam race winner
List of horses that entered all four races, won multiple, though withdrew for various reasons:
4 wins: Kentucky - Preakness - Belmont - Travers
1 time, most recently Whirlaway in 1941
3 wins: Kentucky - Belmont - Travers
5 times, most recently Sovereignty in 2025Sovereignty joins exclusive club by conquering TraversSovereignty reigns supreme with Travers triumph
3 wins: Preakness - Belmont - Travers
7 times, most recently Point Given in 2001
3 wins: Kentucky - Preakness - Belmont
13 times, most recently Justify in 2018
Breeders' Cup Classic Grand Slam
The Classic was first run in 1984, when the Breeders' Cup was inaugurated as a series of year-end championships. Unlike the Triple Crown races and the Travers Stakes, the Classic is not restricted to any age group and the Breeders' Cup has been hosted by several different tracks throughout its history.
For the first 32 runnings of the Classic, the Grand Slam was not in contention. In 2015, American Pharoah won the Triple Crown for the first time since 1978, making him the first horse eligible to compete for this configuration of the Grand Slam. Before the final race, sportswriter Bob Ehalt of ESPN declared American Pharoah was competing for the "Grand Slam," coining the second configuration of the term which quickly became popular. Pharoah won the Breeders' Cup Classic on October 31, 2015, and is the only horse to win this version of the Grand Slam.American Pharoah Wins Breeders Cup
This version of the Grand Slam differs from the Travers version because the Classic has no age restriction. Whereas the Triple Crown races and the Travers Stakes only adjust weight based on the horses' sex, the Classic also adjusts each horses' weight based on their age, a rule known as Weight for Age. Since the Breeders' Cup Classic was first run in 1984, most of the winners have been older than three-year-olds. Overall, fewer than half of the Classic winners of any age had entered any of the Triple Crown races when they were three-year-olds.