No one would take note of this "rivalry" if Affirmed hadn't won the Triple Crown...and no, we don't know what would have happened if Affirmed hadn't been there. Same with Sham and Secretariat.
@ewd76 Although not a historian per se, I am a long-time racing aficionado, e.g., I remember watching on TV as Northern Dancer won the 1964 Derby, as well as watching Lucky Debonair in '65, Kauai King in '66, Proud Clarion & Barb's
Delight upsetting Damascus in '67 ... I can't recall any rivalry in Horse racing as compelling as Affirmed v Alydar, and therefore don't understand your post.
I guess what I am really trying to say, is that many people, certainly myself wouldn't know about it if it hadn't been a Triple Crown. The others are interesting i guess, but I can't tell you a single thing about the other rivalries excepts the names of the horses. Probably would be different if there had been a TC winner there.
Alydar being second in all three races i guess also had something to do with it too. Although not as interesting if he had been second to two or three different horses
@ewd76 Seems to me that rivalries are always noteworthy because championships are involved: there are currently 2 horses running for the barn of Mike Harrington in Southern California: Hi Ho Yodeler & Swiss Wild Cat. Both are Stakes winning 2 year olds & seem to take turns beating each other: by definition their relationship comprises a "rivalry", but nobody is going to notice them as, although they're nice horses, no TC races are in their futures. One man's opinion.
@ewd76 At the risk of offending Sham's fans, he wasn't remotely the equal of Alydar. (And would have been hard pressed to get the better of Believe It, or even Sensitive Prince). The comparison is without merit, in my opinion.
Then too, Secretariat's recorded times & celebrated margins of victory can be viewed with jaundiced eye--in context not only of Small Fields, Well Beaten (and arguably No Longer Trying), but inasmuch as Secretariat towered over a relatively soft crop of three-year olds.
@JayAr709 But what about Sec's "recorded times and celebrated margins of victory" in races like the Marlboro Cup when he faced SIX champion older horses and a Travers Stakes winner, and the MOW Stakes against older turf champs? He won MC by almost 3 lengths, setting the WR for 1 1/8 and then galloped out a 1 1/4 time of 1:57 4/5 PULLING UP. At the MOW he set a TR in his 1st race on grass. Also, the field Sec faced at the Derby was certainly not "small", and included some major stakes winners.
@rcschumann Hmm. Riva Ridge? decentt, I suppose. (rabbit for Secrt.?). Alright--but out of the money 9 x?; Cougar II lifetime was 50 starts, 20-7-1; Proveout, alright (but a Spear Carrier for Kelso and Secrt.) at 39 starts?: 9-6-4 (YOU be the judge); Kennedy Road--a hard-trying 45:17-12-3 (13 times x out of the $). Oh--and Key to The Mint, who became 3-yr old Champ. .. with but a Preakness 3rd & a Belmont 4th. By contrast, Affirmed faced either by Alydar, Slew, or The 'Bid in 12 of his 29 starts
@JayAr709 First of all, competition becomes irrelevant when you consider how Sec won his races, and the times and fractions he clocked. I don't believe any other horse has shown his versatility on the track, even as a 2 yr old. He was able to win giving up ground on the outside, on the lead, from far back, in between horses. Affirmed won mainly on the lead, and even with a great horse like Alydar pushing him, he still clocked way slower times than Sec (i.e. 3 seconds slower at the Derby). cont..
@JayAr709 To continue: secondly, the older competition Sec faced was strong, consisting of major stakes winners - he didn't just beat these fields, he crushed them, clocking incredible fractions throughout. At the Marlboro he galloped out a record 1:57 4/5 1 1/4 after setting a world record for 1 1/8!! (unheard of!). ANY competition would have crumbled against a performance like that. The only US horse who rivals his raw power and talent is Dr. Fager - Nijinsky in Europe. Affirmed? No way.
It makes a big difference about the mark they made on the breed. You are right in that it does not change what they did on the track. But that is just one aspect of a horses' legacy.What they did in the breeding shed will live on long after the races are over and forgoten.
What's the big deal about which horse sired the best crop. Did that make them less or better of a horse of what they did themselves on the track? Does that count when deciding who's the best race horse is? Will their be another TC winner? Odds are probably so. Will their be another Secretariat. Odds are probably not.(smile)
I own a daughter of Affirmed, a crooked legged arthritic mare who is 16 years old. Her name is Floraffirm,she gave me a gorgeous colt this year by a Ca. stallion named Suances. I decided to retire her from the breeding shed and she will live her days out at my ranch in Las Vegas,NV.She is a awesome mom to her son and has a wonderful spirit.
your out of your mind if you dont think we will see another triple crown winner. its only a matter of time before we see another GREAT horse. we have seen alot of good horses in recent years but the triple crown winners have something special about them.
That's debatable considering Alydar didn't live very long due to an accident after his retirement. But he was considered a great sire with babies like Alysheba and Easy Goer. Affirmed tended to sire good turf horses. So it's really just preference.
The horse that deserved the attention Alydar got was Sham. Sham would have been a triple crown winner had Secretariat not been there. He broke the Derby record with Secretariat.
i was fortunate enough to own a horse who had come out of affirmed. his name is starlit night. i started him 8 times with only 3 thirds. i had sold him shortly after. he is now running in saskatoon sask. canada. but to own a horse from a champion was something for me. thank you affirmed.
@carlykaiser Alydar & Affirmed. What two great champions. They don't get much better than these two. I do feel Alydar son Easy Gorer were better than both. I will never forget these two greats. They were amazing.
I have seen every race. Between those 2 affirmed won about 90% of the time. It would be 93% of the time if Affirmed didnt cut alydar off that one time.
I was so crazy about horse racing when I was 10... I couldn't have been "into" it at a better time! I liked Affirmed but I was rooting for Alydar. The Seventies were so awesome for racing.
Thanks for this video. I didn't know much about Affirmed or Alydar and it was interesting. I'd like to follow the bloodlines of horses to see if it makes a difference. Does anyone have info this?
Both Affirmed and Alydar can trace their roots back to the indomitable Native Dancer on the paternal side. Some say that bloodlines do make a difference. But, there are exceptions. Take Seattle Slew and Secretariat for example. Secretariat, unfortunately had his struggles in the breeding shed, while Slew was one of the greatest sires of all time. Sometimes, you just don't know.
ugh, but this is a video about Affirmed and Alydar theirs was the greatest rivallry and id be more on the edge of my seat watching this race then the 73 belmont any day
All I was pointing out is that there is another RACE that is more well-known, and that's the '73 Belmont, that's all. Your need to point out to me that this race was more exciting to you is curious since I never referred to which race was BETTER; all I did was refer to it's existence as another race "no one can forget".
No one would take note of this "rivalry" if Affirmed hadn't won the Triple Crown...and no, we don't know what would have happened if Affirmed hadn't been there. Same with Sham and Secretariat.
ewd76 1 year ago
@ewd76 Although not a historian per se, I am a long-time racing aficionado, e.g., I remember watching on TV as Northern Dancer won the 1964 Derby, as well as watching Lucky Debonair in '65, Kauai King in '66, Proud Clarion & Barb's
Delight upsetting Damascus in '67 ... I can't recall any rivalry in Horse racing as compelling as Affirmed v Alydar, and therefore don't understand your post.
medomoreno 1 year ago
@medomoreno
I guess what I am really trying to say, is that many people, certainly myself wouldn't know about it if it hadn't been a Triple Crown. The others are interesting i guess, but I can't tell you a single thing about the other rivalries excepts the names of the horses. Probably would be different if there had been a TC winner there.
ewd76 1 year ago
@medomoreno
Alydar being second in all three races i guess also had something to do with it too. Although not as interesting if he had been second to two or three different horses
ewd76 1 year ago
@ewd76 Seems to me that rivalries are always noteworthy because championships are involved: there are currently 2 horses running for the barn of Mike Harrington in Southern California: Hi Ho Yodeler & Swiss Wild Cat. Both are Stakes winning 2 year olds & seem to take turns beating each other: by definition their relationship comprises a "rivalry", but nobody is going to notice them as, although they're nice horses, no TC races are in their futures. One man's opinion.
medomoreno 1 year ago
@medomoreno
That's pretty much the argument I was trying to make.
ewd76 1 year ago
@ewd76 Additionally (and more on point), having lived through the '78 Triple Crown as a racing junkie, Affirmed-Alydar was just really cool
medomoreno 1 year ago
@ewd76 At the risk of offending Sham's fans, he wasn't remotely the equal of Alydar. (And would have been hard pressed to get the better of Believe It, or even Sensitive Prince). The comparison is without merit, in my opinion.
Then too, Secretariat's recorded times & celebrated margins of victory can be viewed with jaundiced eye--in context not only of Small Fields, Well Beaten (and arguably No Longer Trying), but inasmuch as Secretariat towered over a relatively soft crop of three-year olds.
JayAr709 7 months ago
@JayAr709 But what about Sec's "recorded times and celebrated margins of victory" in races like the Marlboro Cup when he faced SIX champion older horses and a Travers Stakes winner, and the MOW Stakes against older turf champs? He won MC by almost 3 lengths, setting the WR for 1 1/8 and then galloped out a 1 1/4 time of 1:57 4/5 PULLING UP. At the MOW he set a TR in his 1st race on grass. Also, the field Sec faced at the Derby was certainly not "small", and included some major stakes winners.
rcschumann 7 months ago
@rcschumann Hmm. Riva Ridge? decentt, I suppose. (rabbit for Secrt.?). Alright--but out of the money 9 x?; Cougar II lifetime was 50 starts, 20-7-1; Proveout, alright (but a Spear Carrier for Kelso and Secrt.) at 39 starts?: 9-6-4 (YOU be the judge); Kennedy Road--a hard-trying 45:17-12-3 (13 times x out of the $). Oh--and Key to The Mint, who became 3-yr old Champ. .. with but a Preakness 3rd & a Belmont 4th. By contrast, Affirmed faced either by Alydar, Slew, or The 'Bid in 12 of his 29 starts
JayAr709 6 months ago
@JayAr709 First of all, competition becomes irrelevant when you consider how Sec won his races, and the times and fractions he clocked. I don't believe any other horse has shown his versatility on the track, even as a 2 yr old. He was able to win giving up ground on the outside, on the lead, from far back, in between horses. Affirmed won mainly on the lead, and even with a great horse like Alydar pushing him, he still clocked way slower times than Sec (i.e. 3 seconds slower at the Derby). cont..
rcschumann 6 months ago
@JayAr709 To continue: secondly, the older competition Sec faced was strong, consisting of major stakes winners - he didn't just beat these fields, he crushed them, clocking incredible fractions throughout. At the Marlboro he galloped out a record 1:57 4/5 1 1/4 after setting a world record for 1 1/8!! (unheard of!). ANY competition would have crumbled against a performance like that. The only US horse who rivals his raw power and talent is Dr. Fager - Nijinsky in Europe. Affirmed? No way.
rcschumann 6 months ago
Comment removed
BigPetrov 6 months ago
I just want somebody to win a triple crown race in my lifetime.
pannoni1 1 year ago
It makes a big difference about the mark they made on the breed. You are right in that it does not change what they did on the track. But that is just one aspect of a horses' legacy.What they did in the breeding shed will live on long after the races are over and forgoten.
mann7155 2 years ago
No wonder they were so evenly matched they were Uncle & Nephew to each other!
latinostallion94 2 years ago
What's the big deal about which horse sired the best crop. Did that make them less or better of a horse of what they did themselves on the track? Does that count when deciding who's the best race horse is? Will their be another TC winner? Odds are probably so. Will their be another Secretariat. Odds are probably not.(smile)
rscarbro100 2 years ago
I own a daughter of Affirmed, a crooked legged arthritic mare who is 16 years old. Her name is Floraffirm,she gave me a gorgeous colt this year by a Ca. stallion named Suances. I decided to retire her from the breeding shed and she will live her days out at my ranch in Las Vegas,NV.She is a awesome mom to her son and has a wonderful spirit.
VisayanPrincess 2 years ago
wow gd for u dont rubs it in
katnjas 2 years ago
hey draculagal.. i have one of affirmeds grandsons! "alright already" hes a sweet heart.. retired now.. but a nice sole!
ilovemydogstodeath 2 years ago
Affirmed wasn't the LAST horse to win the triple crown.......he was the most RECENT.
BlacknWhite232 2 years ago
Last and recent are the same thing smart one.
k7m4 2 years ago
LAST means that there will not be another triple crown winner
BlacknWhite232 2 years ago
your out of your mind if you dont think we will see another triple crown winner. its only a matter of time before we see another GREAT horse. we have seen alot of good horses in recent years but the triple crown winners have something special about them.
k7m4 2 years ago
then im not out of my mind
BlacknWhite232 2 years ago
yeah you are if you think there will never be another triple crown winner
k7m4 2 years ago
So who was the better sire?
latinostallion94 3 years ago
That's debatable considering Alydar didn't live very long due to an accident after his retirement. But he was considered a great sire with babies like Alysheba and Easy Goer. Affirmed tended to sire good turf horses. So it's really just preference.
ColossalBeltloop 3 years ago
Two sports legends: Affirmed and Jim McKay. RIP to both.
raywode 3 years ago
i own the horse that came from affirmed his name is verify hes chesnut like affirmed
nakota117 3 years ago
i actually own a grandaughter of Affirmed. she's a great horse, not to mention a speed demon just like her grandpa.
DraculaGal31 2 years ago
Affirmed, you're one of my fav triple crown winners. i'm glad u won =)
TripleCrownSeeker 3 years ago
And give credit to Alydar, he won 3 out of the 10 races.
ladybelle24 3 years ago
Happy birthday Affirmed. I'll give you the credit you deserve.
ladybelle24 3 years ago
The horse that deserved the attention Alydar got was Sham. Sham would have been a triple crown winner had Secretariat not been there. He broke the Derby record with Secretariat.
Jude74 3 years ago
So TRUE!! Poor Sham, always so close!
ZebraBayDreamEleven 3 years ago
Sham was a great horse,yes, but I believe Sham placed last in the Belmont Stakes.
csanchez50 2 years ago
I just love Great Racehorses like the above
ThoroughbredsFOREVER 4 years ago
i was fortunate enough to own a horse who had come out of affirmed. his name is starlit night. i started him 8 times with only 3 thirds. i had sold him shortly after. he is now running in saskatoon sask. canada. but to own a horse from a champion was something for me. thank you affirmed.
jonny7480 4 years ago
By Affirmed ;-D
Out o is used for the mare, since the foal literally came out of her
carlykaiser 4 years ago
@jonny7480 I saw him run in Saskatoon!!!! haha that is where I live!
denabluechicken 7 months ago
have u been 2 the affirmed room at the horse park? it
callihe 4 years ago
Affirmed always won when they raced. It was known as the biggest match races of all time. Between Alydar and Affirmed.
horsecrazy11 4 years ago
No, Alydar beat him a few times
carlykaiser 4 years ago
Yeah but Affirmed won 96% of the time.
horsecrazy11 4 years ago
Haha, I guess I am just an Alydar junky and I love to see him get past Affirmed ;-D
carlykaiser 4 years ago
I loved to watch the match races. But I loved it when Affirmed won
horsecrazy11 4 years ago
@carlykaiser Alydar & Affirmed. What two great champions. They don't get much better than these two. I do feel Alydar son Easy Gorer were better than both. I will never forget these two greats. They were amazing.
rscarbro100 1 year ago
he won 70% of the time
macshae1 4 years ago
No he did not. You need to watch thier races
macshae1 4 years ago
I have seen every race. Between those 2 affirmed won about 90% of the time. It would be 93% of the time if Affirmed didnt cut alydar off that one time.
horsecrazy11 4 years ago
10 races, Affirmed won 7 Alydar won 3, DQ or not, he won the race because Affirmed interfered.
macshae1 4 years ago
Affirmed is my sisters horse's grandfather!
Horsemainiac116 4 years ago
awesome, how lucky!!
macshae1 4 years ago
awesome! My horse's father is Afleet Alex
horsecrazy11 4 years ago
I was so crazy about horse racing when I was 10... I couldn't have been "into" it at a better time! I liked Affirmed but I was rooting for Alydar. The Seventies were so awesome for racing.
martisco 5 years ago
Oh, I hope there is a rivalery like that this year! it would be so cool!
creaturelover 5 years ago
alydar is my horse's grandfather!!!
SALTYalydaR 5 years ago
wow!cool!
creaturelover 5 years ago
Does anyone know where to find footage of the 1978 Preakness?
canadasheel 5 years ago
Thanks for this video. I didn't know much about Affirmed or Alydar and it was interesting. I'd like to follow the bloodlines of horses to see if it makes a difference. Does anyone have info this?
pearlogp 5 years ago
Both Affirmed and Alydar can trace their roots back to the indomitable Native Dancer on the paternal side. Some say that bloodlines do make a difference. But, there are exceptions. Take Seattle Slew and Secretariat for example. Secretariat, unfortunately had his struggles in the breeding shed, while Slew was one of the greatest sires of all time. Sometimes, you just don't know.
SWALE1984 4 years ago
i agree with youi cf1970.., it is in did a great rivalry.... i should say that this is the one race that no can forget..
marc19ar 5 years ago
I agree that it IS a race that no one can forget, but you're leaving out the other one . . . the 73 Belmont.
gfn02 5 years ago
ugh, but this is a video about Affirmed and Alydar theirs was the greatest rivallry and id be more on the edge of my seat watching this race then the 73 belmont any day
Kelse99 5 years ago
All I was pointing out is that there is another RACE that is more well-known, and that's the '73 Belmont, that's all. Your need to point out to me that this race was more exciting to you is curious since I never referred to which race was BETTER; all I did was refer to it's existence as another race "no one can forget".
gfn02 5 years ago
I love the stretch drive of this race; I think it's the single greatest duel in history.
gfn02 5 years ago
On the heels of Secretariet, this was a true rivalry. I don't think we have had this type of passion in horse racing since then...
odelljones 5 years ago
Affirmed and Alydar. Wonderful horses...what an amazing rivalry they had. Thanks once again Carly for the great video.
cf1970 5 years ago