The Mystique of Affirmed

The Mystique of Affirmed

By Orr Gray
The Orchard
November 15, 2023

Affirmed (February 21, 1975 – January 12, 2001) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was the eleventh winner of the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Affirmed was also known for his famous rivalry with Alydar, whom he met ten times, including in all three Triple Crown races. To date, Affirmed is the last horse to win the Triple Crown.

Affirmed was a chestnut horse bred in Florida by Louis E. Wolfson's Harbor View Farm. The derivation of the name "Affirmed" has been the subject of speculation, in part because the conviction of Wolfson, for securities law violations had been affirmed on appeal in 1969 resulting in his imprisonment. He was sired by the Harbor View stallion Exclusive Native, a high-class racehorse and breeding stallion, whose other progeny included the Kentucky Derby winning filly Genuine Risk.

Affirmed was syndicated at a then-record 14.4 million dollars. At stud Affirmed sired over 80 stakes winners, 9 champions with earnings in excess of $44,000,000 (through 2004) including:

•     Charlie Barley (USA), stakes winner in US
•     Flawlessly, North America's grass course champion in 1992 and 1993
•     Peteski (CAN), won USA Molson Export Million Stakes and Canadian Triple Crown.
•     The Tin Man, won multiple Grade I races, including the Arlington Million
•     Trusted Partner (USA), won G1 IRE One Thousand Guineas

Though Affirmed never raced on the turf (grass) he was a noted sire of turf runners, most notably multiple Grade I winners Flawlessly and The Tin Man. His daughters are valued as broodmares.

In 2001, Affirmed was euthanized after falling seriously ill with laminitis, a circulatory hoof disease. The same disease has also led to the death of fellow Triple Crown winner Secretariat and Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. He was buried whole—the ultimate honor for a race horse—at Jonabell Farm, wearing the flamingo pink colors of his original owners, Harbor View Farm.

In the Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, Affirmed was ranked #12. Affirmed's Triple Crown accomplishment has not been repeated since, and his career has been honored with his election to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.