Fun facts about American Pharoah
Now that's he's succeeded in winning the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes -- the first horse to take home the coveted Triple Crown since Affirmed did it in 1978 -- America's eyes are on American Pharoah. So, you might be interested to know that the country's new favorite horse isn't just a champion, he's an all-around fascinating guy. Here's a few fun facts about the bay colt, who just scored one of the hardest titles in all of sports...
American Pharoah was born on Groundhog Day in 2012. Perhaps that's why he's so talented at executing the same moment over and over again. Lucky for him, that moment is crossing the finish line at a major horserace, several lengths ahead of all his fellow competitors.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
His name contains a typo.
American Pharoah was named by a 64-year-old nurse from Missouri, who participated in an online contest Zayat Stables held in 2014 to name its crop of 2-year-old horses.
And despite later telling the New York Times that she had checked the spelling prior to submitting her name suggestion, the Jockey Club claims that Marsha Baumgartner spelled the word "Pharaoh" incorrectly; leading to American Pharoah's name being submitted as such on the original registration paperwork.
Thanks to the mixup, Americans may never spell the word "pharaoh" correctly ever again.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
When American Pharoah won the Triple Crown, he likely didn't hear the cheers from the crowd.
The champion steed reportedly wears special earplugs because loud noises get him worked up.
American Pharoah's tail
A piece of American Pharoah's tail is missing because it was bitten off by a rival horse.
His owner reportedly rejected advice to get the horse a hairpiece to cover up the bodily imperfection.
Probably a smart move. Who knows how aerodynamic a hairpiece would have been.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
American Pharoah has extremely impressive lineage. His father, Pioneer of the Nile, finished second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby.
His grandfather, Empire Maker, won the 2003 Belmont Stakes and came in second at the Kentucky Derby. His great, great grandfather, Unbridled, won the Kentucky Derby in 1990.
And his mother, Littleprincessemma, is the daughter of stakes-winning sprinters Yankee Gentleman and Exclusive Rosette.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
American Pharoah clearly isn't the first member of his family to win a major race. Interestingly, though, he isn't even the first member of his family to win the coveted Triple Crown.
American Pharoah is a fifth generation descendent of Secretariat on his mother's side; the horse, who famously left crowds of spectators in tears when he won the Triple Crown by record-setting lengths in 1973.
Big horseshoes to fill.
American Pharoah - All in the family
In fact, as impressive as American Pharoah's Triple Crown victory was, it pales in comparison to when his great-great-great grandfather did it in 1973.
American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes by five and a half lengths (the sixth fastest time ever), but Secretariat won it by 31 lengths (the fastest time ever). When you watch the two races side by side, it's clear Secretariat would have left his descendent in the dust on this last leg of the Triple Crown.
And when you tally up the times of their respective three Triple Crown races -- Secretariat (1:59, 1:53, 2:24), American Pharoah (2:03, 1:58, 2:26) -- Secretariat's total margin over American Pharoah is over 11 seconds. In horse racing, that's an enormous difference.
American Pharoah - Family reunion
Interestingly, though, American Pharoah isn't the only descendent of the legendary Secretariat, who ran this year... Far from it.
Eight of American Pharoah's competitors in his quest for the 2015 Triple Crown also trace their bloodlines back to Secretariat -- Frosted, Firing Line, Dortmund, Frammento, Tale of Verve, Madefromlucky, Driving Rod, and Mr. Z.
So, essentially, it's like a family reunion out there on the race track.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
The only race American Pharoah ever lost was his very first one.
On August 9, 2014, American Pharoah made his debut at the age of two, on the synthetic track at Del Mar.
He was the favorite to win the six-and-a-half furlong sprint that day. However, an underdog, named Om, proved victorious instead.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
When American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes and thus the Triple Crown on June 6, 2015, he became one of only 13 horses to ever do so from the #5 post.
The vast majority of Belmont winners -- 23 -- have started from post #1.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
His Triple Crown victory spawned a variety of online swag.
So, fans who want to own a piece of the horse racing history can now purchase everything from American Pharoah-themed T-shirts to clumps of dirt from the Belmont Stakes racetrack.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
American Pharoah's owner, Ahmed Zayat, is an Orthodox Jew from a wealthy suburb of Cairo.
Not only was Zayat's family well off there, his father was Egyptian President Anwar Sadat's personal doctor.
Here, he gives American Pharoah a kiss on the nose after his morning workouts prior to the 147th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, June 5, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
You have to be fairly wealthy to own and train a championship racehorse. American Pharoah's owner, Ahmed Zayat, hit it big with non-alcoholic malt drinks in Egypt.
So, the man made a fortune in fermented drinks and he's now the proud owner of a Triple Crown winner. Talk about a lot of stuff to thumbs-up about.
Here, Zayat gestures to the media shortly before American Pharoah arrived at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, June 2, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
American Pharoah's retirement will consist primarily of eating and having sex. In fact, the championship horse will reportedly mate up to four times a day. Any mares, which result from that mating, will then fetch American Pharoah's owner between $75,000 and $100,000 a piece.
Here, the young steed appears confident, before the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015 in Elmont, New York.
Talk about a prized stud.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
Before all that breeding can happen, however, the Triple Crown winner will have to have surgery to correct one small issue.
American Pharoah is a ridgling, which means he has an undescended testicle. So, if he weren't a champion, he'd probably be castrated and turned into a gelding.
Since his mares stand to rake in the big bucks, though, the prized thoroughbred will likely endure the surgery needed to correct his condition instead.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
The first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978, American Pharoah ended a 37-year drought that had dashed the hopes of 13 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winners.
Here, he leads the pack during the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, June 6, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert came close to winning the Triple Crown three other times.
His last attempt was with War Emblem in 2002. He has used jockey Victor Espinoza every time.
Here, Espinoza (L), owner Ahmed Zayat, and trainer Bob Baffert (R), celebrate with the Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown Trophies after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
Born on February 2, 2012, American Pharoah was purchased in August 2013 for $300,000.
Having already racked up $3.7 million in career winnings, horse racing and breeding experts now estimate that the stallion could become worth anywhere from $75 million to $100 million over the next five years.
So, the championship horse is what you might call an amazing investment... better than, say, betting on horses at the track.
Here, the cash cow is bathed following his morning workout at Belmont Park, June 4, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
Having made more than $176 million in career earnings, American Pharoah's jockey Victor Espinoza donated all of his winnings from the Belmont Stakes on June 6, 2015 to a cancer research and treatment facility in California, called City of Hope.
Here, he celebrates atop American Pharoah, No. 5, after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, June 6, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
American Pharoah's jockey Victor Espinoza is 43-years-old and the 11th of 12 children in his Mexican family.
When he won the Triple Crown with American Pharoah, it was his record third attempt at the title. He failed with War Emblem in 2002 and then again with California Chrome last year.
Here, he rides American Pharoah #18, to victory at the Kentucky Derby, May 2, 2015.
Fun facts about American Pharoah
There have only been 12 horses, who have ever won the coveted Triple Crown.
And each of their jockeys was dressed in bright distinctive fashion when they did it.
Though these outfits are generally made of nylon or lycra, they're called silks. And the tradition of wearing them stems from chariot drivers in ancient Rome, who sported distinctive colors so that spectators could tell who won the race.
