2022 SUMMER PREMIER AUCTION
Wed, Aug 24, 2022 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Oct 9, 2022 08:59AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 685
1978 BELMONT STAKES CHAMPION TROPHY WON BY AFFIRMED (TRAINER LAZ BARRERA) TO COMPLETE THE TRIPLE CROWN
Sold for
$15,568.80
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
There is no achievement in horseracing more coveted and difficult to achieve than the Triple Crown – successive victories for a three-year-old thoroughbred in each of the three featured races: Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes. Since 1875, the first season all three races were run, only 13 horses have done it, demonstrating the exclusiveness of this honor. In fact, there have been just two Triple Crown winners since 1978 when Affirmed galloped to victory at Belmont Park to complete the rare trifecta.
Offered here is the 1978 Belmont Stakes trophy awarded to Affirmed’s Hall of Fame team led by prestigious trainer Laz Barrera and jockey Steve Cauthen – just 18 years old when he guided the beautiful brown stallion to the famous ‘78 season sweep. "He was basically the best horse I ever rode, the most intelligent,” recalled Cauthen. Cuban-born Laz Barrera is a legend in thoroughbred racing, to this day the only trainer to win four consecutive Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Trainer. In his storied career that spanned half a century, Barrera trained six champions and more than 140 American Stakes winners, but it was his work with Affirmed that ended up being most revered.
In that dramatic 1978 season, Affirmed’s racing smarts, in addition to his combo of power and stamina, was the key that made him a champion. He defeated rival Alydar by 1½ lengths at Churchill Downs to take the Kentucky Derby. At Pimlico, Affirmed narrowly beat Alydar again – this time by a neck – to keep his Triple Crown hopes alive. Finally, at Belmont Park, the longest course in North America at 1½ miles for one lap around the track, the two horses dueled to a near photo-finish with Affirmed out-leaning Alydar by a nose on their final strides.
The 1978 Belmont Stakes trophy pitcher is made of sterling silver by esteemed jeweler Tiffany & Co. Engravings read "New York Racing Association, The Belmont, BELMONT, 1978, Won by Harborview Farm's Affirmed, Trainer - L.S. Berrera." The cup measures 9" tall by 8" wide by 5" deep, weighing a dense 912 grams. The sterling silver and maker hallmarks are found on the underside. Overall, the trophy exhibits light-to-medium wear and has aged quite well, appearing in near-mint condition. It should be noted that in our Fall 2021 Auction, we sold Affirmed’s Triple Crown Trophy for $150,391.
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