THE FULL STORY: Purchased as a yearling by Mickey and Karen Taylor and Dr. James and Sally Hill for a mere $17,500, Kentucky-bred Seattle Slew became the 10th horse – and the only undefeated horse – to win the prestigious Triple Crown. The dark bay colt, trained by Billy Turner and ridden by Jean Cruget through the Triple Crown races, was Champion Two Year Old (1976), Champion Three Year Old and Horse of the Year (1977), and Champion Handicap Horse (1978). In 14 of his 17 starts, Seattle Slew placed first. He won the Triple Crown, Flamingo Stakes, Wood Memorial, Marlboro Cup, and the Woodward Stakes, setting a new track record. In the Marlboro Cup, Slew faced Affirmed, the 1978 Triple Crown winner, and won by three lengths. In the 1978 Gold Cup, Slew again bested Affirmed (whose saddle had slipped) but lost in a photo finish to Exceller in a stretch drive still considered one of the most exciting in racing history. As easily as he became the dominant racehorse of his era, Seattle Slew became one of the leading sires of the late 20th century and one of the few Derby winners who sired a Derby winner (his son Swale won in 1984). By 2000, Slew had sired more than 40 winners who collectively earned $4,833,915. Seattle Slew died May 7, 2002, at Hill'n Dale Farm, Midway, Kentucky.
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