Alydar

Alydar (March 23, 1975, Calumet Farm - November 15, 1990) was a chestnut colt and an American thoroughbred race horse who was most famous for finishing a close second to Affirmed in all three races of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a feat not repeated before or since. Trained by John M. Veitch (who also trained Alydar's half-sister, Eclipse Award winning Our Mims), and ridden by jockey Jorge Velasquez, in 1978 Alydar dueled with Affirme... more

Alydar (March 23, 1975, Calumet Farm - November 15, 1990) was a chestnut colt and an American thoroughbred race horse who was most famous for finishing a close second to Affirmed in all three races of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a feat not repeated before or since. Trained by John M. Veitch (who also trained Alydar's half-sister, Eclipse Award winning Our Mims), and ridden by jockey Jorge Velasquez, in 1978 Alydar dueled with Affirmed in all three legs of the Triple Crown, losing to his arch rival by a combined total of less than two lengths. The 1978 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the series, is considered by many as one of the most exciting races in the history of the sport. In that race, Alydar and Affirmed dueled side by side from the middle of the far turn all the way to the wire, with Affirmed barely holding on to win by a head to claim the Triple Crown. In his career, Alydar won 14 of 26 starts, finishing second 9 times and third once. He earned purses... less