MAY 2 2015: The start of an amazing year for American Pharoah and his team. Jockey Victor Espinoza, celebrates his second successive Kentucky Derby after being victorious on board California Chrome 12 months earlier.
MAY 2 2015: The start of an amazing year for American Pharoah and his team. Jockey Victor Espinoza, celebrates his second successive Kentucky Derby after being victorious on board California Chrome 12 months earlier.
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MAY 16 2015: In a mud bath of a track, Espinoza lifts his arm in victory at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore -- part two of the three races that make up America's Triple Crown.
MAY 16 2015: In a mud bath of a track, Espinoza lifts his arm in victory at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore -- part two of the three races that make up America's Triple Crown.
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JUNE 06 2015: The stakes couldn't be higher for American Pharoah as the gates open to start the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York.
JUNE 06 2015: The stakes couldn't be higher for American Pharoah as the gates open to start the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York.
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JUNE 06 2015: To the delight of the crowd and millions watching on television, Espinoza guides American Pharoah to the first Triple Crown in 37 years. The tension before the race was intense but jockey Espinoza was always confident.
JUNE 06 2015: To the delight of the crowd and millions watching on television, Espinoza guides American Pharoah to the first Triple Crown in 37 years. The tension before the race was intense but jockey Espinoza was always confident.
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"There was a lot of pressure for everybody else this year but not for me -- it was all about the confidence I have in American Pharoah," the Espinoza told CNN. "I always thought that if I could win the Kentucky Derby I 'll be on cruise control for the next two -- and that's what happened."
"There was a lot of pressure for everybody else this year but not for me -- it was all about the confidence I have in American Pharoah," the Espinoza told CNN. "I always thought that if I could win the Kentucky Derby I 'll be on cruise control for the next two -- and that's what happened."
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"The biggest challenge out of the three was the Kentucky Derby," Espinoza explains. "After that, you don't know how excited I was because I knew I had a Triple Crown winner. I mean, a lot of things can go wrong, but a lot of things can go right!" They did.
"The biggest challenge out of the three was the Kentucky Derby," Espinoza explains. "After that, you don't know how excited I was because I knew I had a Triple Crown winner. I mean, a lot of things can go wrong, but a lot of things can go right!" They did.
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JANUARY 19 2016: The winning team (l to r) Bob Baffert trainer of American Pharoah, Jill Baffert, Bode Baffert, Juan-Carlos Capelli Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, Louis Romanet Chairman of the IFHA, Victor Espinoza jockey of American Pharoah, Joanne Zayat, Ahmed Zayat owner of American Pharoah, Justin Zayat and Edouard de Rothschild, President of France Galop Race Awards at Claridge's Hotel in London.
JANUARY 19 2016: The winning team (l to r) Bob Baffert trainer of American Pharoah, Jill Baffert, Bode Baffert, Juan-Carlos Capelli Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, Louis Romanet Chairman of the IFHA, Victor Espinoza jockey of American Pharoah, Joanne Zayat, Ahmed Zayat owner of American Pharoah, Justin Zayat and Edouard de Rothschild, President of France Galop Race Awards at Claridge's Hotel in London.
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Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing and Edouard de Rothschild, President of France Gallop at Claridge's Hotel in London. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was voted the best race of 2015 at the same ceremony at Claridge's Hotel.
Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing and Edouard de Rothschild, President of France Gallop at Claridge's Hotel in London. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was voted the best race of 2015 at the same ceremony at Claridge's Hotel.
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Bob Baffert has trained three previous winners of the Kentucky Derby, but American Pharoah broke new ground for him. "I've been fortune to have some really good horses -- he just kept on, he'd bring it every time," Baffert told CNN.
Bob Baffert has trained three previous winners of the Kentucky Derby, but American Pharoah broke new ground for him. "I've been fortune to have some really good horses -- he just kept on, he'd bring it every time," Baffert told CNN.
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Victor Espinoza and Frankie Dettori pose for a photo at the he Longines World's Best Racehorse Awards. Dettori had a stellar year in the saddle piloting Golden Horn to victory in the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2015. "My best year since 1996," Dettori told CNN.
Victor Espinoza and Frankie Dettori pose for a photo at the he Longines World's Best Racehorse Awards. Dettori had a stellar year in the saddle piloting Golden Horn to victory in the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2015. "My best year since 1996," Dettori told CNN.
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The mark of a champion. American Pharoah inspired a loyal following inside and outside racing circles. His fame transcended the sport attracting fans all over the world.
The mark of a champion. American Pharoah inspired a loyal following inside and outside racing circles. His fame transcended the sport attracting fans all over the world.
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Racegoers turned up in their thousands to watch him race. At his Breeders' Cup Classic swansong in October, a crowd of 20,000 turned up to watch him train.
Racegoers turned up in their thousands to watch him race. At his Breeders' Cup Classic swansong in October, a crowd of 20,000 turned up to watch him train.
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I hope I can ride another one but it will be tough - those ones don't come every, once every 37! But as long as I'm riding, I'll see how it goes. Every year, I'm looking for a champion and this year I'm still looking for a champion.<br />
I hope I can ride another one but it will be tough - those ones don't come every, once every 37! But as long as I'm riding, I'll see how it goes. Every year, I'm looking for a champion and this year I'm still looking for a champion.
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Owners of mares looking for a stable relationship with American Pharoah will need deep pockets. A roll in the hay at his digs at Kentucky's Ashford Stud costs $200,000.
Owners of mares looking for a stable relationship with American Pharoah will need deep pockets. A roll in the hay at his digs at Kentucky's Ashford Stud costs $200,000.
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