History of American Pharoah in Timeline
American Pharoah was a highly successful American Thoroughbred racehorse who achieved the prestigious Triple Crown in 2015, ending a 37-year drought. He further cemented his legacy by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic, becoming the first horse to achieve the 'Grand Slam' of American horse racing. He was owned by Ahmed Zayat, trained by Bob Baffert, and primarily ridden by Victor Espinoza. He received the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year and Champion three-year-old in 2015, and was inducted into the American Racing Hall of Fame in 2021.
1941: Whirlaway's 1941 Travers Stakes Win
In 1941, Whirlaway was the only previous Triple Crown winner to win the Travers Stakes before American Pharoah's attempt.
1973: Comparison to Secretariat's 1973 Belmont Stakes Win
In 2015, American Pharoah's closing quarter-mile time in the Belmont Stakes was compared to Secretariat's 25.00 seconds when the 1973 winner set a world record and won by 31 lengths, noting that American Pharoah ran his final quarter-mile in 24.32 seconds, over a half-second faster.
1978: Flying Paster Named California Horse of the Year
In 1978, Flying Paster, a Grade I champion and a maternal ancestor of American Pharoah, was named California Horse of the Year.
1978: First Triple Crown winner since Affirmed
In 2015, American Pharoah became the first American Triple Crown winner since Affirmed achieved the feat in 1978.
1981: John Henry, Unanimous Horse of the Year
At the 2015 Eclipse Awards, American Pharoah's win marked only the second time that an American Horse of the Year had been unanimously selected, with the first being John Henry in 1981.
1983: El Gran Senor's Achievements in 1983 and 1984
American Pharoah carries lines to El Gran Senor, the top-rated European two-year-old in 1983 and three-year-old colt of 1984.
1983: Last sloppy track at Preakness
In 2015, the heavy downpour at the Preakness Stakes evoked memories of 1983, the last time the race had been run on a sloppy track. American Pharoah had previously won the Rebel Stakes in similar conditions.
1984: El Gran Senor's Achievements in 1983 and 1984
American Pharoah carries lines to El Gran Senor, the top-rated European two-year-old in 1983 and three-year-old colt of 1984.
1988: Racing Post Rating System
In 2015, American Pharoah's Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 138 was the highest of any American horse since the Racing Post began the system in 1988.
1990: Unbridled's 1990 Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic Wins
In 1990, Unbridled, American Pharoah's great-grandfather, won the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup Classic.
1994: Last win from the rail postition
In 2015, prior to the Preakness Stakes, it was noted that no horse had won the Preakness starting from the rail post position since 1994.
2001: Baffert's 2001 Travers Win with Point Given
In 2001, Baffert had one Travers Stakes win with Point Given in five previous attempts before American Pharoah's race.
2003: Empire Maker's 2003 Belmont Stakes Win
In 2003, Empire Maker, Pioneerof the Nile's sire, won the Belmont Stakes.
2004: Smarty Jones' Previous Earnings Record in 2004
In 2015, American Pharoah broke the single season record for race earnings of $7,563,535 set by Smarty Jones in 2004, which included a $5 million bonus that is no longer awarded.
2006: Misty Rosette Wins Old Hat Stakes
In 2006, Misty Rosette, a half-sister to American Pharoah's dam Littleprincessemma, won the Old Hat Stakes.
2007: Purchase of Pioneerof the Nile
In 2007, Ahmed Zayat bought back Pioneerof the Nile, American Pharoah's sire, for $290,000 in a yearling auction.
2007: Purchase of Littleprincessemma
In 2007, Ahmed Zayat purchased Littleprincessemma, American Pharoah's dam, for $250,000.
2008: Littleprincessemma's Racing Career
In 2008, Littleprincessemma, American Pharoah's dam, raced but did not win either of her two starts.
2009: Pioneerof the Nile's 2009 Kentucky Derby Performance
In 2009, American Pharoah's sire Pioneerof the Nile ran second in the Kentucky Derby, with all of his wins at distances of 1+1⁄16 miles or more.
2009: Pioneerof the Nile's Kentucky Derby Finish
In 2009, Pioneerof the Nile, American Pharoah's sire, finished second in the Kentucky Derby.
February 2, 2012: American Pharoah Foaled
On February 2, 2012, American Pharoah was foaled. He would later become a Thoroughbred racehorse, winning the American Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Classic.
2012: Zayat's Previous Haskell Win with Paynter
In 2012, Zayat had previously won the Haskell with Paynter, prior to American Pharoah's race in 2015. Baffert also held the record for the most Haskell wins with seven previous victories.
2012: Inadvertent Misspelling of Name
In 2012, the name "American Pharoah" was chosen, inspired by his sire and dam's sire, with an inadvertent misspelling that became permanent.
January 2013: Move to Taylor Made Farm
In January 2013, as a yearling, American Pharoah was moved to Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Kentucky, to be prepared for a potential sale.
August 2013: Consignment to Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale
In August 2013, American Pharoah was consigned by the Taylor Made Sales Agency to the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale.
2013: Catalogue listing as "colt"
In 2013, the catalogue for American Pharoah's yearling Fasig-Tipton sale listed him as a "colt".
January 25, 2014: Name Submission to the Jockey Club
On January 25, 2014, the name request for the 2012 colt American Pharoah was submitted electronically to the Jockey Club's interactive registration site.
November 2014: Sale of Littleprincessemma
In November 2014, Littleprincessemma was sold—in foal to Pioneerof the Nile—for $2.1 million.
2014: Description as a ridgling
In 2014, American Pharoah was described as a ridgling, indicating an undescended testicle. This description was later disputed.
2014: Sale of Breeding Rights in Late 2014
In 2014, Zayat sold the breeding rights to Ashford Stud long before American Pharoah's Triple Crown run but retained 100% of the racing rights.
2014: Training with Bob Baffert
In the spring of 2014, American Pharoah began training with Hall of Fame inductee Bob Baffert to begin race conditioning.
May 20, 2015: Sale of Breeding Rights to Ashford Stud
On May 20, 2015, it was reported that Zayat had sold American Pharoah's breeding rights to Ashford Stud, a division of Ireland's Coolmore Stud, but retained control over his racing career.
November 2, 2015: American Pharoah Shipped to Ashford Stud
On November 2, 2015, American Pharoah was moved to Ashford Stud and housed in the stall formerly occupied by Grand Slam, pastured next to Thunder Gulch.
November 2015: American Pharoah Named Among Influential American Jews
In November 2015, acknowledging owner Ahmed Zayat's philanthropy, the Jewish Daily Forward named American Pharoah its "plus one" on its annual list of 50 most influential American Jews.
2015: Retirement to Stud
At the conclusion of his 2015 racing year, American Pharoah was retired to stud and began standing at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
2015: Breeding Rights Sold to Ashford Stud
Before the 2015 season, American Pharoah's breeding rights were sold to Ashford Stud, a division of Ireland's Coolmore Stud. Ahmed Zayat retained control over the colt's racing career and an undisclosed dividend on stud fees.
2015: Triple Crown Race Wins
In 2015, American Pharoah achieved victories in all three Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.
2015: 2015 Preakness Stakes Entry
In 2015, American Pharoah entered the Preakness Stakes as the favorite, despite an unfavorable inside draw. A heavy downpour occurred just before the race.
2015: American Pharoah's 2015 Season Earnings and World Ranking
In 2015, American Pharoah set a single season record for race earnings, winning $8,288,800, and was rated the number one horse in the world by the World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
2015: Continued description as "colt"
In 2015, American Pharoah was again described as a "colt", with the "ridgling" designation being maintained as an error.
2015: Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic Win
In 2015, American Pharoah won the American Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Classic, becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner and the first horse to win the modern Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing.
2015: Breeders' Cup Classic win
In 2015, American Pharoah won the Breeders' Cup Classic, adding to his list of achievements.
2015: Distinctive Stride and Short Tail
In 2015, Bob Baffert noted American Pharoah's smooth and distinctively long stride. The horse also had a short tail, apparently chewed off by another horse.
2015: Birth of Colt Sibling
In 2015, Littleprincessemma foaled a colt, a full sibling to American Pharoah, after being sold in November 2014.
2015: American Pharoah's Racing Schedule and Belmont Stakes Record
In 2015, after American Pharoah's victory, Baffert emphasized the horse's deserving nature and Zayat highlighted the importance of prioritizing the horse's well-being when deciding the racing schedule. Zayat expressed hope for the horse to continue racing if healthy, despite stud rights being sold with plans for retirement at the end of 2015. His Belmont winning time was the sixth-fastest in history and second-fastest for a Triple Crown winner.
2015: Inspiration for Sculpture in 2015
James Peniston's sculpture of American Pharoah captures the horse as he was in 2015 during his Triple Crown run.
2015: Travers Stakes
On August 29, 2015, American Pharoah finished a close second in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, ending a winning streak of eight races.
February 2016: American Pharoah Begins Breeding in February 2016
In February 2016, American Pharoah officially began breeding mares and was first bred to Untouched Talent.
2016: Initial Stud Fee Set for 2016
In 2016, Ashford Stud set American Pharoah's initial stud fee at $200,000, the second-highest in the United States.
2016: Commissioning of Sculpture in 2016
In 2016, Oaklawn commissioned James Peniston to create a life-sized bronze sculpture of American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza.
January 3, 2017: Birth of American Pharoah's First Foal on January 3, 2017
On January 3, 2017, American Pharoah's first foal, a bay colt, was born at Brookdale Farms out of the mare, Kakadu.
March 2017: Coolmore Announces Shuttle to Australia in March 2017
In March 2017, Coolmore announced that American Pharoah would shuttle to Coolmore Australia for the breeding season starting in July, then return to America at the end of the year.
November 2017: First Crop of Foals Sold Well in November 2017
In November 2017, American Pharoah's first crop of foals sold well at the Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland Sales, including a weanling filly who brought $1 million.
2017: Sculpture Cast in 2017
In 2017, the sculpture of American Pharoah was cast at Laran Bronze outside Philadelphia.
January 11, 2018: Installation of Sculpture at Oaklawn on January 11, 2018
On January 11, 2018, a life-sized bronze sculpture of American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza was installed at the Oaklawn racetrack in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
2018: Mike Pence Allegation
In 2018, United States Vice President Mike Pence alleged that American Pharoah had bit him. However, a manager for American Pharoah's breeding company denied the allegation.
April 13, 2019: Monarch of Egypt Becomes First Winner on April 13, 2019
On April 13, 2019, Monarch of Egypt became American Pharoah's first winner, taking a maiden race at Naas Racecourse in Ireland.
October 2020: Van Gogh Wins Critérium International in October 2020
In October 2020, Van Gogh won the Critérium International, making American Pharoah's first Group 1 winner in Europe.
February 21, 2021: Cafe Pharoah Wins February Stakes in Japan on February 21, 2021
On February 21, 2021, Cafe Pharoah became American Pharoah's Grade 1 winner in Japan by winning the February Stakes.
2021: Induction into American Racing Hall of Fame
In 2021, American Pharoah was inducted into the American Racing Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in the sport.
2021: Induction into US Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2021
In 2021, American Pharoah was inducted into the US Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
2021: First Winner in Australia in 2021
In 2021, American Pharoah's first winner in Australia was the colt Head of State.
2022: American Pharoah Did Not Shuttle in 2022
American Pharoah did not shuttle to Australia in 2022.
2024: Standing at Ashford Stud in 2024
As of 2024, American Pharoah continues to stand at Ashford Stud in Kentucky for a fee of $50,000.
2024: Riff Rocket's Group 1 Wins in 2024
In 2024, American Pharoah's son Riff Rocket won three Group 1 events and completed the Victoria Derby and Australian Derby double.
Mentioned in this timeline
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