The champions of the past 30 years are the benchmark for contemporary performances. Relive the thrills and accomplishments of the recent past by getting to know its biggest stars.
A spur-of-the moment impulse purchase as a yearling, this two-time champion reeled off an eight race winning streak that included the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the Ashland and Kentucky Oaks.
By Teresa Genaro | Published on 01/20/2012
Racing's last great undefeated champion spent the final seconds of her career nipping the Kentucky Derby winner on the wire on racing's biggest stage.
By Kevin Martin | Published on 09/02/2011
Argentinean-bred Invasor was one of the best racehorses of the century's first decade. In his 12 starts on three continents, he won the Uruguayan Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup Classic, and the Dubai World Cup. In 2006, he was named Horse of the Year.
By Jessica Chapel | Published on 08/03/2011
A New York favorite and practically unbeatable at Belmont Park, she won going short, and she won going long. She was voted a champion in 1994, and this year, she joins her trainer in the Hall of Fame.
By Teresa Genaro | Published on 06/24/2011
Forget that old adage that great race mares don't produce as broodmares. The daughter of a Kentucky Oaks winner, she was Grade 1-placed, having never finished out of the money in eight lifetime starts. She is also the only mare in history to produce back-to-back Belmont Stakes winners, Jazil and Rags to Riches.
By Valerie Grash | Published on 06/07/2011
Described as an ugly duckling by his breeder, he went on to win eight races from twelve starts and 2.7 million dollars during a career shortened by injury. His win in the Preakness will be long remembered for a near disaster when he almost fell at the top of the stretch.
By Kevin Martin | Published on 05/18/2011
She won 11 straight races, all of them graded stakes. She hit the board in 18 straight races. She earned more than $4 million dollars. She was champion older female for three consecutive years and Horse of the Year in 2002.
By Teresa Genaro | Published on 03/18/2011


