View source for Affirmed

{{Short description|American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{About|the racehorse|the concept in law and other fields|Affirmation (disambiguation){{!}}Affirmation}}

{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Affirmed
| image = Affirmed at Spendthrift Farm 1981.jpg
| caption = Affirmed at Spendthrift Farm in 1981
| sire = [[Exclusive Native]]
| grandsire = [[Raise a Native]]
| dam = Won't Tell You
| damsire = [[Crafty Admiral]]
| sex = [[Stallion]]
| foaled = 1975
| death_date = {{death date and age|2001|1|12|1975|2|21}}{{efn|Officially, Affirmed was 26 years old at the time of his death as all Thoroughbreds foaled in the Northern Hemisphere are deemed to be born on January 1.}}
| country = United States
| color = [[Chestnut (coat)|Chestnut]]
| breeder = [[Harbor View Farm]]
| owner = Harbor View Farm. Colors: Flamingo, white bars on black sleeves, black cap
| trainer = [[Laz Barrera]]
| record = 29: 22–5–1
| earnings = $2,393,818<ref name="EquibaseProfile">{{cite web|title=Horse Profile – Affirmed|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=624999&registry=T&rbt=TB|website=Equibase|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
| race = [[Youthful Stakes]] (1977)<br />[[Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes|Hollywood Juvenile Championship]] (1977)<br /> [[Sanford Stakes]] (1977)<br />[[Hopeful Stakes (United States)|Hopeful Stakes]] (1977)<br />[[Belmont Futurity Stakes|Futurity Stakes]] (1977)<br />[[Laurel Futurity]] (1977)<br />[[San Felipe Stakes]] (1978)<br />[[Santa Anita Derby]] (1978)<br />[[Hollywood Derby]] (1978) <br />[[Jim Dandy Stakes]] (1978) <br /> [[Strub Stakes]] (1979)<br />[[Santa Anita Handicap]] (1979) <br /> [[Californian Stakes]] (1979) <br /> [[Hollywood Gold Cup]] (1979)<br />[[Woodward Stakes]] (1979)<br /> [[Jockey Club Gold Cup]] (1979)<p>
'''[[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown race]] wins:'''<br />[[Kentucky Derby]] ([[1978 Kentucky Derby|1978]])<br />[[Preakness Stakes]] ([[1978 Preakness Stakes|1978]])<br /> [[Belmont Stakes]] ([[1978 Belmont Stakes|1978]])</p>
| awards= [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|11th U.S. Triple Crown Champion]] (1978)<br />[[American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt]] (1977)<br />[[American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse]] (1978)<br />[[American Champion Older Male Horse]] (1979)<br />[[American Horse of the Year]] (1978, 1979)
| honors = [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|United States Racing Hall of Fame]] (1980)<br />[[Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century|#12 – Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century]]<br />[[Affirmed Handicap]] at [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]]<br />[[Affirmed Stakes (FS)|Affirmed Stakes]] at [[Calder Race Course]]<br />Affirmed Street in [[Napa, California]]
|updated=
}}

'''Affirmed''' (February 21, 1975 – January 12, 2001) was a champion American [[Thoroughbred]] [[horse racing|racehorse]] who is the eleventh winner of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|American Triple Crown]]. Affirmed was well known for his famous rivalry with [[Alydar]], whom he met ten times, including Alydar coming second in each of the three 1978 Triple Crown races. After Affirmed won the Triple Crown, there was a 37-year wait until [[American Pharoah]] swept the series in 2015.

Affirmed won fourteen [[Graded stakes race|Grade One]] stakes races over his career and was a champion each of the three years he raced. At age two in 1977, he was named the champion two-year-old after winning the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, Sanford, Hopeful, Belmont Futurity and Laurel Futurity. At age three, he was named "Horse of the Year" for winning the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]] and other major stakes races such as the Santa Anita Derby, Hollywood Derby and Jim Dandy Stakes. He repeated as Horse of the Year at age four after winning the final seven races in his career, all but one of which was a Grade I stakes race. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. On the ''[[Blood-Horse]]'' magazine list of the [[Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century|Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century]], he was ranked twelfth.

==Background==
Affirmed was a chestnut horse bred in [[Marion County, Florida]] by [[Louis 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.<ref>{{cite web |first=Alan |last=Weinberger |title=What's in a Name? – The Tale of Louis Wolfson's Affirmed |url=http://www.hofstralawreview.org/2012/05/08/whats-in-a-name-the-tale-of-louis-wolfsons-affirmed/ |access-date=2013-02-28 |archive-date=2013-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105095703/http://www.hofstralawreview.org/2012/05/08/whats-in-a-name-the-tale-of-louis-wolfsons-affirmed/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Affirmed 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]].

==Racing record==
===1977: two-year-old season===
As a two-year-old, Affirmed won seven of his nine starts, with two placings, for earnings of $343,477 under regular rider [[Steve Cauthen]], then a teenager.<ref name=EquibaseProfile /> Notably, six of those starts were against his rival, [[Calumet Farm]]'s [[Alydar]], with Affirmed winning four and Alydar winning two.<ref name="NYTCady">{{cite web|last1=Cady|first1=Steve|title=Affirmed and Alydar Ran Into Our Hearts|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/31/sports/affirmed-and-alydar-ran-into-our-hearts.html?pagewanted=all|website=The New York Times|access-date=28 July 2016|date=31 May 1987}}</ref>

Affirmed won his first start in a maiden special weight race at [[Belmont Park]] on May 24, 1977.<ref name="EquibaseProfile" /> He followed up with a win in the Youthful Stakes on June 15 where he defeated Alydar by eight lengths. On July 6 in the Great American Stakes, Alydar evened the score with a {{frac|3|1|2}} length win after mounting a powerful stretch drive.<ref>{{cite web|title=Calumet's Alydar Wins by 3 1/2 Lengths: Triple for Cauthen|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/07/archives/calumets-alydar-wins-by-3-lengths-triple-for-cauthen.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=11 September 2017|date=7 July 1977}}</ref>

Affirmed was then shipped across country to [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]], where he won the [[Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes]] on July 23.<ref name=EquibaseProfile /> He then shipped back to New York where he won the [[Sanford Stakes]] at [[Saratoga Race Course|Saratoga]] on August 17 by {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths over the previously undefeated Tilt Up.<ref>{{cite web|title=Affirmed Takes Sanford; Tilt Up Finishes Second|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/18/archives/affirmed-takes-sanford-tilt-up-finishes-second.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=12 September 2017|date=18 August 1977}}</ref> In his next start on August 27 in the Hopeful Stakes, his main rival was Alydar, who was the even money favorite after winning four straight races. Affirmed stalked the early pace set by Tilt Up with Alydar in close contention. Around the far turn, Affirmed moved to the lead with Alydar closing ground on the outside. In mid-stretch, Alydar had closed to within a head but Affirmed pulled away in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by half a length. His time of 1:{{frac|15|2|5}} for {{frac|6|1|2}} furlongs was a new stakes record.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Strauss|first1=Michael|title=Affirmed Spa Victor; Alydar 2d|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/28/archives/affirmed-spa-victor-alydar-2d.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=12 September 2017|date=28 August 1977}}</ref>

The two horses again faced off in the [[Belmont Futurity]] on September 10, with Affirmed going off as the narrow favorite. After a good start, Affirmed settled into second place behind longshot Rough Sea, while Alydar overcame a bad start to move into third place down the backstretch. Rounding into the stretch, Affirmed moved to the lead. Alydar responded and the two horses dueled head-to-head for the final furlong. Alydar appeared to be in the lead for much of the stretch drive before Affirmed rallied in the final stride to win by a nose. "He never gave up", said Cauthen, "even when he was headed".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Strauss|first1=Michael|title=Affirmed, $4.40, Beats Alydar by a Nose|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/09/11/archives/affirmed-440-beats-alydar-by-a-nose-affirmed-is-winner-in-futurity.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=12 September 2017|date=11 September 1977}}</ref>

Alydar turned the tables in the [[Champagne Stakes (United States)|Champagne Stakes]] on October 15, sweeping by Affirmed in the stretch to win by {{frac|1|1|4}} lengths.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Strauss|first1=Michael|title=On the Sly, Alydar Victors at Belmont|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/16/archives/on-the-sly-alydar-victors-at-belmont-on-the-sly-and-alydar-score-at.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=12 September 2017|date=16 October 1977}}</ref> The two faced off again in the [[Laurel Futurity]] on October 29, then one of the most prestigious races for two-year-olds in the country, with Affirmed winning by a neck.<ref>{{cite web|title=Affirmed Captures Laurel Race|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/10/30/archives/affirmed-captures-laurel-race.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times|access-date=12 September 2017|date=30 October 1977}}</ref> With his 4-2 margin in the series against Alydar, Affirmed was named the 1977 [[American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt]].<ref name="Legacy">[https://books.google.com/books?id=i7ilgwjwtN4C&dq=%22Affirmed+and+Champion+2+year+old%22&pg=PA212 Legacies of the turf: a century of great thoroughbred breeders] Retrieved 2011-1-2</ref>

===1978: three-year-old season===
Affirmed started his three-year-old campaign on the West Coast with an allowance race win in March, followed by victories in the [[San Felipe Stakes]], [[Santa Anita Derby]] and [[Hollywood Derby]].<ref name=EquibaseProfile /> Meanwhile, Alydar was preparing for the Kentucky Derby with wins in the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Horse Profile – Alydar|url=http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=637430&registry=T&rbt=TB|website=Equibase|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>

====The Triple Crown====
[[File:"Affirmed" crossing the finish line at Churchill Downs to win the Kentucky Derby.jpg|thumb|Affirmed crossing the finish line at Churchill Downs to win the 1978 Kentucky Derby]]
Alydar was made the 6–5 favorite for [[Kentucky Derby]], with Affirmed the second choice at 9–5 and undefeated [[Sensitive Prince]] the third choice at 9–2. At the start of the Kentucky Derby, Sensitive Prince took the early lead as Affirmed ran in third through the early stages, while Alydar stayed far back. Affirmed made a strong move for the lead on the far turn, put away a challenge by Wood Memorial winner Believe It, and held off Alydar's fast-closing charge to win by {{frac|1|1|2}} lengths. Affirmed now had a 5–2 edge in the series.

In the [[Preakness Stakes]], Affirmed set the pace. Alydar made his big move on the far turn, at the same point in the race where Affirmed made his winning move in the Derby. Affirmed held a short lead entering the stretch and held it to defeat Alydar by a neck.

Alydar's partisans assumed that the {{frac|1|1|2}} mile distance of the Belmont, two furlongs longer than the Derby and 5/16 of a mile longer than the Preakness Stakes, would favor Alydar with his finishing style and staying pedigree, and he would deny Affirmed the Triple Crown. Trainer Veitch removed Alydar's blinkers for the Belmont, saying that if Alydar got a better look at Affirmed, maybe he would get by him.<ref name=NYTCady />

In the Belmont, Affirmed led and set a very slow pace, going the first quarter mile in 25 seconds and the half in 50 seconds. Alydar's jockey, [[Jorge Velásquez]], put Alydar close to the pace, and moved alongside Affirmed with more than seven furlongs to go. For more than six furlongs (half the distance of the race), the colts raced neck and neck, pulling away from the rest of the field. Alydar got his nose in front at mid-stretch, but just as Affirmed appeared to tire, Cauthen went to a left-handed whip, something he had never done before in his eight rides on Affirmed. Affirmed won by a nose to become racing's 11th (and last winner for 37 years until [[American Pharoah]] won in 2015) Triple Crown winner. After the third slowest start in [[Belmont Stakes]] history, they raced the fastest last mile in [[Belmont Stakes]] history, {{frac|3|4}} in 1:14, the mile in 1:37 {{frac|2|5}} and finished in 2:26 {{frac|4|5}}. It was, at the time, the third fastest Belmont ever, behind [[Secretariat (horse)|Secretariat]] and [[Gallant Man]].

His Triple Crown win set two records: the shortest and longest gaps between the previous and next Triple Crown winners. Affirmed's win in 1978 was the first time the Triple Crown had been won in consecutive years ([[Seattle Slew]] won in 1977).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nusca|first1=Andrew|title=Here are the 12 winners of the Triple Crown|url=http://fortune.com/2015/06/06/triple-crown-winners/|website=Fortune|access-date=28 July 2016|date=7 June 2015}}</ref> Affirmed's win also marked the start of the longest gap until the next Triple Crown winner, with [[American Pharoah]]'s win on June 6, 2015, occurring 37 years later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pharoah is King: American Pharoah Wins Triple Crown - STATS Insights|url=http://www.stats.com/insights/racing/pharoah-king-american-pharoah-wins-triple-crown/|website=stats.com|access-date=28 July 2016|date=8 June 2015}}</ref>

====After the Triple Crown====
Affirmed returned to racing in early August in the [[Jim Dandy Stakes]] at Saratoga. He nearly became an upset loser to the front-running Sensitive Prince but closed in the last 100 yards in a race that [[Laz Barrera]] considered one of Affirmed's finest efforts.

Alydar and Affirmed met once more, in the [[Travers Stakes]] at Saratoga. Affirmed, piloted by Hall of Fame jockey [[Laffit Pincay Jr|Laffit Pincay]] substituting for the injured Cauthen, cut off Alydar entering the far turn, causing his rival to hit the rail and almost go down, losing six lengths before recovering his stride. Affirmed finished first but was disqualified for interference, and placed second and Alydar was declared the winner.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Ryan|title=Affirmed and Alydar's Travers showdown still rouses emotions|url=http://www.drf.com/news/affirmed-and-alydars-travers-showdown-still-rouses-emotions|website=drf.com|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> The horses never met again, and the final winning tally stood at Affirmed 7, Alydar 3.

Affirmed then prepared to meet another major rival: 1977 Triple Crown winner [[Seattle Slew]]. The 1978 [[Marlboro Cup Invitational Handicap]] marked the first time in racing history that two Triple Crown winners ever met in a race. Seattle Slew was a speed horse and got the first quarter mile in 24 seconds under jockey Angel Cordero, who never allowed Affirmed to get close. Seattle Slew won by three lengths in 1:45 {{frac|4|5}} for the one-turn mile and {{frac|1|8}}. The two horses met once more, in the [[Jockey Club Gold Cup]]. This time, Affirmed was to be aided by his stablemate Life's Hope, who was entered in the race to extend Seattle Slew in the early stages. However, Affirmed's saddle slipped during the race, leaving his jockey with almost no control. He tired to finish unplaced for the only time in his career as [[Exceller]] and jockey [[Willie Shoemaker]] defeated Seattle Slew by a nose.<ref name=LATDwyre>{{cite web|last1=Dwyre|first1=Bill|title=Two horses do rare feat, then meet|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-sep-16-sp-dwyre16-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=28 July 2016|date=16 September 2008}}</ref>

As a three-year-old, Affirmed won 8 of 11 starts with 2 seconds and 1 unplaced run, for earnings of $901,541. He was named [[American Horse of the Year|Horse of the Year]] despite the losses to Alydar, Seattle Slew, and Exceller, and was also named the [[American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse]].

===1979: four-year-old season===
As a four-year-old in 1979, Affirmed started the season with a third place in the Malibu Stakes and a second in the San Fernando Stakes. He had a five race losing sequence prior to starting in the [[Strub Stakes|Charles H. Strub Stakes]] at [[Santa Anita Park]]. Laz Barrera replaced Cauthen with Pincay and Affirmed didn't lose again and would dominate the handicaps the rest of the year.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Posnanski|first1=Joe|title=Zenith and nadir|url=http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/steve-cauthen-last-jockey-win-triple-crown/|website=sportsworld.nbcsports.com|access-date=28 July 2016|date=2 June 2015}}</ref>

Affirmed won the Strub Stakes, and then ran in the [[Santa Anita Handicap]] against Exceller, who had defeated Seattle Slew and Affirmed in 1978. Affirmed won easily, running the {{frac|1|1|4}} miles in 1:{{frac|58|3|5}}, under 128 pounds while setting a stakes record in California's most important stakes race that stood until 2014. Affirmed then went to [[Hollywood Park Racetrack|Hollywood Park]], where he won the [[Californian Stakes]] under 130 pounds giving runner-up Syncopate 16 pounds. Next, carrying top weight of 132 pounds, he won the [[Hollywood Gold Cup]] in a three horse finish, from Sirlad (120 pounds) and Text (119 pounds), setting an all time earnings record and running the {{frac|1|1|4}} miles in a fast 1:58 {{frac|2|5}}. Affirmed picked up the [[Woodward Stakes]] at [[Belmont Park]], and then faced one more all-time great horse, three-year-old [[Spectacular Bid]], in the [[Jockey Club Gold Cup]], also at Belmont. Spectacular Bid, like Alydar, preferred to run off the pace, and once again, Affirmed was allowed to set a slow pace, going the first half mile in 49 seconds. Spectacular Bid issued challenges at Affirmed, but Affirmed won. Spectacular Bid was undefeated during the rest of his racing career.

Affirmed was named [[American Horse of the Year|Horse of the Year]] and the [[American Champion Older Male Horse]] of 1979, having won 7 of 9 starts with 1 second and 1 third as a four-year-old and earning $1,148,800. In his career, Affirmed earned a then record $2,393,818 (the first Thoroughbred in North America to win over $2 million) with 22 wins, 5 seconds and 1 third from 29 starts.

His trainer, Laz Barrera, once said: "Affirmed is greater than Secretariat, or any Triple Crown winner, because only Affirmed had to face Alydar."

Affirmed's full race record is listed below:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Date !! Racecourse !! Distance !! Race !! Jockey !! Weight !! Odds !! Field !! Result !! Time !! Margin 
|-
|| 24 May 77 || Belmont Park || {{frac|5|1|2}} furlongs || Maiden Special || B Gonzalez || 8-5 || 14/1 || 10 || 1st || 1-06.0 || {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths
|-
|| 15 Jun 77 || Belmont Park || {{frac|5|1|2}} furlongs || Youthful Stakes || A Cordero || 8-7 || 7/2 || 11 || 1st || 1-05.0 || Neck
|-
|| 06 Jul 77 || Belmont Park || {{frac|5|1|2}} furlongs || Great American S. || A Cordero || 8-10 || 9/2 || 7 || 2nd || 1-03.6 || {{frac|3|1|2}} lengths
|-
|| 23 Jul 77 || Hollywood Park || 6 furlongs || Hollywood Juvenile G2 || L A Pincay || 8-10 || 2/5f || 8 || 1st || 1-09.2 || 7 lengths
|-
|| 17 Aug 77 || Saratoga || 6 furlongs || Sanford Stakes G2 || S Cauthen || 8-12 || 5/4f || 6 || 1st || 1-09.6 || {{frac|2|3|4}} lengths
|-
|| 27 Aug 77 || Saratoga || {{frac|6|1|2}} furlongs || Hopeful Stakes G1 || S Cauthen || 8-10 || 9/4 || 5 || 1st || 1–15.4 || {{frac|1|2}} length
|-
|| 10 Sep 77 || Belmont Park || 7 furlongs || Futurity Stakes G1 || S Cauthen || 8-10 || 6/5f || 5 || 1st || 1-21.6 || Nose
|-
|| 15 Oct 77 || Belmont Park || 1 mile || Champagne Stakes G1 || S Cauthen || 8-10 || 6/5f || 6 || 2nd || 1-36.6 || {{frac|1|1|4}} lengths
|-
|| 29 Oct 77 || Laurel Park || 1 mile {{frac|1|2}}f || Laurel Futurity G1 || S Cauthen || 8-10 || 7/5 || 4 || 1st || 1-44.2|| Neck
|-
|| 08 Mar 78 || Santa Anita || {{frac|6|1|2}} furlongs || Allowance || S Cauthen || 8-12 || 1/5f || 5 || 1st || 1–15.6 || 5 lengths
|-
|| 18 Mar 78 || Santa Anita || 1 mile {{frac|1|2}}f || San Felipe H'cap G2 || S Cauthen || 9-0 || 3/10f || 6 || 1st || 1-42.6 || 2 lengths
|-
|| 02 Apr 78 || Santa Anita || 1 mile 1f || Santa Anita Derby G1 || L A Pincay || 8-8 || 3/10F || 12 || 1st || 1-48.0 || 8 lengths
|-
|| 16 Apr 78 || Hollywood Park || 1 mile 1f || Hollywood Derby G1 || S Cauthen || 8-10 || 3/10f || 9 || 1st || 1-48.2 || 2 lengths
|-
|| 6 May 78 || Churchill Downs || {{frac|1|1|4}} miles || Kentucky Derby G1 || S Cauthen || 9-0 || 9/5 || 11 || 1st || 2-01.2 || {{frac|1|1|2}} lengths
|-
|| 20 May 78 || Pimlico || 1 mile {{frac|1|1|2}}f || Preakness Stakes G1 || S Cauthen || 9-0 || 1/2f || 7 || 1st || 1-54.4 || Neck
|-
|| 10 Jun 78 || Belmont Park || {{frac|1|1|2}} miles || Belmont Stakes G1 || S Cauthen || 9-0 || 3/5f || 5 || 1st || 2-26.8 || Head
|-
|| 08 Aug 78 || Saratoga || 1 mile 1f || Jim Dandy Stakes G3 || S Cauthen || 9-2 || 1/20f || 5 || 1st || 1-47.8 || {{frac|1|2}} length
|-
|| 19 Aug 78 || Saratoga || {{frac|1|1|4}} miles || Travers Stakes G1 || L A Pincay ||9-0 || 7/10f || 4 || 1st (D) || 2-02.0 || {{frac|1|3|4}} lengths
|-
|| 16 Sep 78 || Belmont Park || 1 mile 1f || Marlboro Cup (H'cap) G1 || S Cauthen || 8-12 || 1/2f || 6 || 2nd || 1-45.8 || 3 lengths
|-
|| 14 Oct 78 || Belmont Park || {{frac|1|1|2}} miles || Jockey Clup Gold Cup G1 || S Cauthen || 8-9 || 11/5 || 6 || 5th || 2-27.2 || 19 lengths
|-
|| 07 Jan 79 || Santa Anita || 7 furlongs || Malibu Stakes G2 || S Cauthen || 9-0 || 3/10f || 5 || 3rd || 1-21.0 || {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths
|-
|| 20 Jan 79 || Santa Anita || 1 mile 1f || San Fernando Stakes G2 || S Cauthen || 9-0 || 1/2f || 8 || 2nd || 1-48.0 || {{frac|2|3|4}} lengths
|-
|| 04 Feb 79 || Santa Anita || {{frac|1|1|4}} miles || Charles H Strub S. G1 || L A Pincay || 9-0 || 9/10f || 9 || 1st || 2-01.0 || 10 lengths
|-
|| 04 Mar 79 || Santa Anita || {{frac|1|1|4}} miles || Santa Anita Handicap G1 || L A Pincay || 9-2 || 5/4f || 8 || 1st || 1-58.6 || {{frac|4|1|2}} lengths
|-
|| 20 May 79 || Hollywood Park || 1 mile {{frac|1|2}}f || Californian Stakes G1 || L A Pincay || 9-4 || 3/10f || 8 || 1st || 1-41.2 || 5 lengths
|-
|| 24 Jun 79 || Hollywood Park || {{frac|1|1|4}} miles || Hollywood Gold Cup G1 || L A Pincay || 9-6 || 3/10f || 10 || 1st || 1-58.4 || {{frac|3|4}} length
|-
|| 29 Aug 79 || Belmont Park || 1 mile || Allowance || L A Pincay || 8-10 || No SP || 3 || 1st || 1-34.0 || 6 lengths
|-
|| 22 Sep 79 || Belmont Park || {{frac|1|1|4}} miles || Woodward Stakes G1 || L A Pincay || 9-0 || 2/5f || 5 || 1st || 2-01.6 || {{frac|2|1|2}} lengths
|-
|| 06 Oct 79 || Belmont Park || {{frac|1|1|2}} miles || Jockey Club Gold Cup G1 || L A Pincay || 9-0 || 3/5f || 4 || 1st || 2-27.4 || {{frac|3|4}} length
|}

==Stud record==
Affirmed was syndicated at a then-record $14.4 million. At stud, Affirmed sired over 80 stakes winners, 9 champions with earnings in excess of $44,000,000 (through 2004) including:
* [[Charlie Barley]], stakes winner in US, winner of [[Canadian Champion Male Turf Horse]] in 1989
* [[Flawlessly]], North America's grass course champion in 1992 and 1993
* [[Peteski]] (CAN), won USA Molson Export Million Stakes and [[Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing|Canadian Triple Crown]].
* [[The Tin Man (American horse)|The Tin Man]], won multiple Grade I races, including the [[Arlington Million]]
* [[Trusted Partner]] (USA), won G1 IRE One Thousand Guineas<ref>[http://www.studbook.org.au/horse.aspx?hid=433650&pagetype=OFFSPRINGWINS Australian Stud Book: Affirmed (USA) 1975] Retrieved 2011-1-2</ref>

Though Affirmed never raced on the turf (grass) he was a noted sire of turf runners, most notably multiple [[graded stakes race|Grade I]] winners Flawlessly and The Tin Man. As a broodmare sire, his daughters have notably produced Honey Ryder (G1W on turf) and Pleasantly Perfect (G1W on dirt & synthetic, notable wins include Breeders Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup).

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 (racehorse)|Secretariat]] and Kentucky Derby winner [[Barbaro (horse)|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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.affirmedtribute.com/oldpages/news.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020611061859/http://www.affirmedtribute.com/oldpages/news.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 11, 2002 |title=Affirmed tribute |access-date=2006-05-07 }}</ref>

== Rivalry with Alydar ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Date
!Track
!Race
!Distance
!Affirmed finish
!Alydar finish
!Margin
|-
|6/15/1977
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Youthful Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|5.2}}5 1/5 furlongs
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|5
|{{ntsh|5}}5 lengths (to Alydar)
|-
|7/6/1977
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Great American Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|5.5}}5 1/2
|2
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|{{ntsh|3.5}}3 1/2
|-
|8/27/1977
|[[Saratoga Race Course|Saratoga]]
|[[Hopeful Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|6.5}}6 1/2
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|2
|{{ntsh|0.5}}1/2
|-
|9/10/1977
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Belmont Futurity Stakes|Belmont Futurity]]
|{{ntsh|7}}7
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|2
|{{ntsh|0.1}}nose
|-
|10/15/1977
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Champagne Stakes (United States)|Champagne Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|8}}1 mile
|2
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|{{ntsh|1.25}}1 1/4
|-
|10/29/1977
|[[Laurel Park (race track)|Laurel Park]]
|[[Laurel Futurity Stakes|Laurel Futurity]]
|{{ntsh|8.05}}1 1/16 miles
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|2
|{{ntsh|0.2}}neck
|-
|5/6/1978
|[[Churchill Downs]]
|[[Kentucky Derby]]
|{{ntsh|8.2}}1 1/4
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|2
|{{ntsh|1.5}}1 1/2
|-
|5/20/1978
|[[Pimlico Race Course|Pimlico]]
|[[Preakness Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|8.15}}1 3/16
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|2
|{{ntsh|0.2}}neck
|-
|6/10/1978
|[[Belmont Park]]
|[[Belmont Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|8.4}}1 1/2
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1'''
|2
|{{ntsh|0.3}}head
|-
|8/19/1978
|[[Saratoga Race Course|Saratoga]]
|[[Travers Stakes]]
|{{ntsh|8.2}}1 1/4
|2*
|bgcolor=lightgrey|'''1*'''
|{{ntsh|1.75}}1 3/4*
|}
'''Final: Affirmed 7, Alydar 3'''

<nowiki>*</nowiki>In their final meeting, Affirmed drifted in, forcing Alydar to be taken up on the backstretch. While Affirmed finished ahead of Alydar, the stewards decided to disqualify Affirmed from first to second, giving Alydar the final win.

==Honors==
In the [[Blood-Horse magazine]] ranking of the [[Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century|top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century]], Affirmed was ranked #12.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=YWGNmICO5OAC&q=affirmed Thoroughbred Champions: Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century] Retrieved 2011-1-2</ref>

His career has been honored with his election to the [[National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame]] in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|title=Affirmed – National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame|url=https://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/affirmed|website=www.racingmuseum.org|access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>

==Pedigree==
{{Pedigree
|name =  Affirmed, chestnut stallion, 1975<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=624999&registry=T&horse_name=Affirmed&dam_name=Won%27t%20Tell%20You&foaling_year=1975&nicking_stats_indicator=Y |title=Affirmed pedigree |publisher=equineline.com |date=2012-05-08 |access-date=2014-01-24}}</ref>
|f    = [[Exclusive Native]]<br />1965
|m    = Won't Tell You<br />1962
|ff   = [[Raise a Native]]<br />1961
|fm   = Exclusive<br />1953
|mf   = [[Crafty Admiral]]<br />1948
|mm   = Scarlet Ribbon<br />1957
|fff  = [[Native Dancer]]
|ffm  = Raise You
|fmf  = [[Shut Out (horse)|Shut Out]]
|fmm  = Good Example
|mff  = [[Fighting Fox]]
|mfm  = Admiral's Lady
|mmf  = Volcanic
|mmm  = Native Valor
|ffff = [[Polynesian (horse)|Polynesian]]
|fffm = Geisha
|ffmf = Case Ace
|ffmm = Lady Glory
|fmff = [[Equipoise (horse)|Equipoise]]
|fmfm = Goose Egg
|fmmf = Pilate
|fmmm = Parade Girl
|mfff = [[Sir Gallahad]] (FR)
|mffm = [[Marguerite (horse)|Marguerite]]
|mfmf = [[War Admiral]]
|mfmm = Boola Brook
|mmff = Ambrose Light (FR)
|mmfm = Hot Supper
|mmmf = [[Mahmoud (horse)|Mahmoud]] (FR)
|mmmm = Native Gal (family: 23-b)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family23b.htm |title=Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Turk Mare – Family 23-b |publisher=Bloodlines.net |access-date=2014-01-24 |archive-date=2021-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008173844/https://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family23b.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}

==See also==
* [[List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses]]
* [[List of racehorses]]

;Notes
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120320223951/http://d3b4lt1s53xf6k.cloudfront.net/sites/kentuckyderby.com/files/charts/1978.pdf Affirmed's Kentucky Derby]
* [http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0112907.html Preakness winners]

{{Kentucky Derby Winners}}
{{Preakness Stakes Winners}}
{{Belmont Stakes Winners}}
{{American Horse of the Year winners}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1975 racehorse births]]
[[Category:2001 racehorse deaths]]
[[Category:Racehorses bred in Florida]]
[[Category:Racehorses trained in the United States]]
[[Category:United States Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Kentucky Derby winners]]
[[Category:Preakness Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing winners]]
[[Category:American Thoroughbred Horse of the Year]]
[[Category:Eclipse Award winners]]
[[Category:Belmont Stakes winners]]
[[Category:American Grade 1 Stakes winners]]
[[Category:Thoroughbred family 23-b]]