Triple Crown Horse Racing, The Rarest Achievement

Horse racing (doc. PP Pordasi).

JAKARTA In the world of horse racing, there is one prestigious achievement that is so desirable, namely Triple Crown. This is a very rare achievement in the world of sports.

Triple Crown was able to make the arena quiet because she was amazed, shook the track with cheers, and left a name that would never be lost from history books.

This achievement is not just three consecutive wins. It is a symbol of absolute advantage.

The Crown, which can only be worn by the best horses that have stepped on the track, is ridden by jockeys with extraordinary intuition, polished by the coaching team with great guts, and high level strategy precision.

Triple Crown is a term for three major races in a season, which a three-year-old racehorse must win. So, a horse only has one chance in life to catch it.

To win Triple Crown is very difficult, especially because of the different distance factors so that horses must have speed as well as endurance.

In addition, the recovery time is short. Racing is usually held in a relatively short time period so that physical recovery is a big challenge.

Then, competition is also tight because all the best horses aged three years participate so that there is definitely no easy opponent. External factors such as weather, tracks, bad starts, to media pressure, can also affect performance.

So, it's no wonder that in the long history of horse racing around the world, only a handful managed to lock three wins and pin the title Triple Crown Champion in its name.

Triple Crown In Several Countries

The concept of Triple Crown is present in various parts of the world as a symbol of the supremacy of horse racing. In the United States only horses are able to conquer three legendary races, namely Kentucky Derby (1,600 meters), Preakness Stakes (1,900 meters), and Belmont Stakes (2,400 meters), within two months, entitled to this prestigious title.

In the history of a century and a half of Triple Crown, the United States, only 13 horses managed to register their names as true champions. The last time Justify won in 2018, following the success of American Pharoah three years earlier in 2015, which ended nearly 40 years of waiting after the last title winner.

England is the birthplace of modern horse racing. However, this is where Triple Crown is like a myth. The three races that must be won are 2000 Guineas Stakes (1,600 meters), The Derby (2,400 meters), and St. Leger Stakes (2,900 meters).

The main challenge is not only about the longer distance, but also because of the unusually high quality standards. Until now, only 15 horses have successfully swept all three. Nijinsky is the last name on the list since 1970.

Since then many have been close, but none have been able to finish. The most dramatic probably wasEMBERs in 2012, failing in St. Leger and making the British public swallow disappointment.

In Japan, the term Triple Crown is known as Sambakan. Consisting of Satuk Sho (2,000 meters), Tokyo Yushun/Japanese Derby (2,400 meters), and Kikuka Sho (3,000 meters).

Spread from April to October, this crown demands consistency for half a year, something very heavy in the racing world. Until 2023, only eight male horses have been able to achieve it. Finally, Contrain (2020), following legendary names such as Deep Impact, Orfevre, and Symboli Rudolf.

Japan also has a version of Triple Tiara for the female horse, consisting of Oka Sh knowledge (1,600 meters), Yushun Himba/Japanese Oaks (2,400 meters), and Shuka Sho (2,000 meters).

Female horses such as Apapane, Gentildonna, and Almond Eye place themselves in history as the queen of true racing. Liberty Island won the latest Triple Tiara in 2023.

Australia has two versions of Triple Crown that make their traditions unique and more competitive. For a three-year-old male horse, Triple Crown consists of Randwick Guineas (1,600 meters), Rosehill Guineas (2,000 meters), and the Australian Derby (2,400 meters).

These three races were held in the fall, with a tight gap and continued distance. Not many were able to beat it. The two big names that succeeded were Octagonal (1996) and It's Amenul (2013).

Meanwhile, Triple Crown sprinters are intended for short-range specialist horses, namely Lightning Stakes (1,000 meters), Newmarket Handicap (1,200 meters), and TJ Smith Stakes (1,200 meters). Tight competition and Australian sprinter quality make it very rare for anyone to wipe out victory.

When it comes to the best sprinters, Black Caviar remains unmatched by 25 wins without losing, including some of the races.

In Hong Kong, Triple Crown is not only difficult, but almost impossible. Until 2025, only two horses managed to wipe out, namely River Verdon (1994) and Voyage Bubble (2025).

Different from other countries, Triple Crown Hong Kong is open to adult-age racers, not just three years. The three races that must be won are Stewards Cup (1,600 meters), Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2,000 meters), and Champions & Chater Cup (2,400 meters).

The combination of stamina, age, and consistency makes this title very rare and respected. No wonder only two names managed to make history in more than three decades.

Although the concept is similar, three wins in one season, Triple Crown in each country has its own colors and challenges. In America, England, and Japan, Triple Crown is a special arena for three-year-old horses.

While in Hong Kong, age is no longer a limit. In Australia, even sprinters are given a path to their own crown.

Triple Crown Indonesia

Triple Crown in Indonesia, although the route is different, the spirit is the same, namely three tiered racing series, each demanding a different advantage.

Series I in April (1,200 meters), Series II in May (1,600 meters), and the climax is Indonesia Derby in July as far as 2,000 meters.

Throughout the history of Pordasi, only two horses have won the Triple Crown title, namely the Manik Trisula horse in 2002 and the Djohar Manik horse in 2014. Since then, more than a decade, the crown has only been beautifully remembered, but is difficult to repeat.

History records at least seven horses that almost touched Triple Crown, but still failed. Some failed in the last leg such as King Master (2006), King Runny Star (2015), Nara Asmara (2016), and Queen Thalasta (2019).

There were also those who won in the last two matches, but unfortunately failed in the first leg, such as Pesona Nagari (2008) and Bintang Maja (2023). Meanwhile, Lady Aria (2018) won the first leg and Derby, but was only able to finish second in the second leg.

"From there we see, it is very difficult to win Triple Crown Indonesia," said Head of the PP Pordasi Pacu Commission, Munawir.

Triple Crown demands extraordinary endurance of horses, unshakable consistency, careful strategy, and readiness to face the challenges of weather, injury, and even psychological fluctuations of a horse.

Munawir explained that Triple Crown Indonesia is designed to adjust the character and durability of local horses. Derbys are not made 2,400 meters like overseas so as not to burden or injure horses.

"Just being realistic because the horses here are not yet strong that long," said Munawir.

The criteria for Triple Crown Indonesia participants are the same as other countries, namely horses aged three years.

"This means that a horse only has one chance in life to become a Triple Crown champion," he added.

On The Verge Of The Door Of New History

Now the sport of horse racing in Indonesia is on the verge of creating a new history of Triple Crown.

After Indonesia's Horse Racing (IHR) 'Triple Crown Serie 1 in April and IHR'Triple Crown Serie 2 in May 2025, the series of matches for the Triple Crown 2025 title in Indonesia only leaves one more championship, namely IHR'S Serie 1 Indonesia Derby or IHR' Indonesia Derby on July 27, 2025.

The King Argentine, who won the 3rd grade Derby at IHR'Triple Crown Serie 1 and IHR'Triple Crown Serie 2, revived the chances of becoming the third horse to win the Triple Crown title in Indonesia if he could win the 3rd grade Derby at the IHR-Indonesia Derby.

One step more and we hope to see the carvings of a new history in Indonesia.

Triple Crown is not just three wins. It is a test of perfection about physical toughness, consistent speed, mature strategy, and favorable luck.

Many have tried, few have succeeded. History around the world has proven. Now, Indonesia is waiting for whether the 27 July 2025 crown will find another leader.