Fifteen Hall of Fame horses have won both the “Test of the Champion” and the “Midsummer Derby”
As the third and defining jewel in the American Triple Crown series, the Belmont Stakes has long been known as the “Test of the Champion,” one of the premier thoroughbred races in the world. Traditionally contested at Belmont Park on Long Island, the Belmont Stakes was temporarily relocated upstate to Saratoga Race Course in 2024 for the first of a three-year stint while Belmont Park undergoes a transformative renovation.
The Belmont Stakes is typically the gateway to summer racing at Saratoga and the Spa’s signature race, the Travers, known as the “Midsummer Derby.” Since the 1860s — the Travers was first held in 1864 and the inaugural Belmont was contested in 1867 — the two races have shared numerous champions and legends of American racing. A total of 33 horses have won both the Belmont and the Travers, including 15 inductees of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Here is a closer look at the Hall of Fame horses who have achieved the historic Belmont/Travers double:
Ruthless (1867)
The winner of the inaugural Belmont Stakes at Jerome Park, Ruthless won the fourth edition of the Travers later that summer at Saratoga. Bred and owned by Francis Morris, Ruthless remains one of only three fillies to win the Belmont. She was the second filly to win the Travers. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975, Ruthless won seven of her 11 career starts.
Harry Bassett (1871)
Owned and trained by David McDaniel, Harry Bassett was one of the greatest sons of top stallion Lexington, winning 23 of his 36 races, including both the Kenner Stakes and Saratoga Cup at Saratoga in addition to his victories in the Belmont and Travers. Harry Bassett was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Duke of Magenta (1878)
Another elite son of Lexington, Duke of Magenta was owned by George Lorillard and is retrospectively regarded as the champion 2-year-old male of 1877 and champion 3-year-old male of 1878. As a sophomore, Duke of Magenta won 11 of his 12 races, including the Jerome, Dixie, Kenner, and Withers in addition to the Belmont and Travers. Overall, he won 15 of his 19 races and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Henry of Navarre (1894)
Horse of the Year in both 1894 and 1895, Henry of Navarre was the first great horse bred in California. Owned and trained by Byron McClelland, Henry of Navarre was a son of 1884 Preakness winner Knight of Ellerslie. Overall, he won 29 of his 42 starts, including the Manhattan and Suburban handicaps in addition to the Belmont and Travers. Henry of Navarre was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.
Man o’ War (1920)
Considered by many historians to be the greatest horse of all time, Man o’ War won 20 of his 21 career starts. Along with winning the Belmont (by 20 lengths in world-record time of 2:14 1/5 for 1 3/8 miles) and Travers (setting a stakes record of 2:01 4/5 for 1 1/4 miles that stood for 42 years), Man o’ War also won the Preakness, Withers, Dwyer, and Jockey Club Gold Cup among others. Owned by Sam Riddle and trained by Louis Feustel, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1957.
Twenty Grand (1931)
Owned by Greentree Stables and trained by James Rowe, Jr., Twenty Grand was Horse of the Year in 1931, winning the Wood Memorial, Dwyer, Saratoga Cup, and Jockey Club Gold Cup in addition to the Belmont and Travers. His only loss of the year came in the Preakness. He was bumped badly in that race and finished second, denying a shot at the Triple Crown. Twenty Grand won 14 of his 23 starts and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1957.
Granville (1936)
Trained by Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons for owner William Woodward, Granville overcame a slow start to his career to earn Horse of the Year honors in 1936. In addition to the Belmont and Travers, he won the Arlington Classic, Kenner Stakes, and Saratoga Cup. Granville was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Whirlaway (1941)
Trained by Ben Jones for owner/breeder Calumet Farm, Whirlway remains the lone horse to win the Travers in addition to the Triple Crown. He won 32 times in 60 career starts and was Horse of the Year in both 1941 and 1942. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1959, Whirlaway’s notable wins at Saratoga included the Hopeful, Saratoga Special, and Saranac.
Native Dancer (1953)
Trained by William Winfrey for owner Alfred Vanderbilt, Native Dancer was Horse of the Year in 1953. His only loss in 22 career starts was by a head in the Kentucky Derby. One of the top horses to ever race at Saratoga, Native Dancer was undefeated in six starts at the Spa. As a 2-year-old, he won four races at Saratoga in a 26-day span. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963, Native Dancer is forever immortalized in the Spa City with a bronze statue that welcomes visitors to the city.
Gallant Man (1957)
Trained by John Nerud for owner Ralph Lowe, Gallant Man was bred in Ireland. His 3-year-old season included wins in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Hollywood Gold Cup in addition to the Belmont and Travers. A winner of 14 of his 26 career starts, Gallant Man was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Sword Dancer (1959)
Trained by Elliott Burch for Brookmeade Stable, Sword Dancer won the Belmont and Travers after finishing second in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. His other wins during the year included the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Woodward, and Monmouth Handicap en route to Horse of the Year honors. Sword Dancer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.
Damascus (1967)
After winning the Preakness and Belmont, Damascus came to Saratoga and romped in the Travers by a record 22 lengths. Horse of the Year in 1967, he also won the Jockey Club Gold Cup, American Derby, Wood Memorial, and Woodward that year. A winner of 21 of his 32 career starts, Damascus was trained by Frank Whiteley, Jr. for owner Edith Bancroft. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Arts and Letters (1969)
Trained by Elliott Burch for owner Paul Mellon’s Rokeby Stable, Arts and Letters was Horse of the Year in 1969, winning the Metropolitan Handicap, Woodward, and Jockey Club Gold Cup in addition to the Belmont and Travers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994 and sired Codex, winner of the 1980 Preakness.
East Goer (1989)
Trained by Shug McGaughey for owner Ogden Phipps, East Goer defeated Sunday Silence by eight lengths in the Belmont after being defeated by him in both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Easy Goer then won the Whitney and Travers at Saratoga and the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup back at Belmont in the fall. Overall, he won 14 of 20 starts and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Point Given (2001)
Trained by Bob Baffert, Point Given lost the Kentucky Derby then became the first horse to win four consecutive races worth $1 million each — the Preakness, Belmont, Haskell, and Travers. Horse of the Year in 2001, Point Given was retired after the Travers with nine wins from 13 starts. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
By Brien Bouyea
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
