The Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing is an informal name for winning four major Thoroughbred horse races in one season in the United States. The term has been applied to two configurations of races, both of which include the races of the Triple Crown—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes—and either the Travers Stakes or the Breeders' Cup Classic as the final race.
The Travers Stakes Grand Slam is the older version, having been possible since 1875. These four races are sometimes also called the Superfecta or Quadruple Crown.[1][2] The Breeders' Cup Classic Grand Slam has been possible since 1984.
Only one horse has won each configuration. Whirlaway won the Triple Crown and Travers Stakes in 1941, and American Pharoah won the Triple Crown and Breeder's Cup Classic in 2015.
The Grand Slam moniker is typically only available to three-year-old horses, as the Triple Crown and Travers Stakes are limited to that age. The Breeders' Cup Classic, however, has no age limits, so a Triple Crown winner could win the Classic in subsequent years, although that feat has yet to be attempted. It is unlikely to happen because Triple Crown winners are typically in high demand for stud service.
Quintuple Crown is the suggested name for winning all five races in the same season, a feat yet to be accomplished.
- ^ "2016 Travers Stakes at Saratoga: August 27". www.saratogaracetrack.com. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
- ^ Tiz the Law Tries for Second Leg of 'Quadruple Crown' in Runhappy Travers