Two up and one to go, and if California Chrome wins the Belmont Stakes he becomes the first Triple Crown success, since Affirmed’s epic battles with Alyidar, that has become a part of American folk lore.

The Triple Crown is made up of three separate races, strictly for three year olds, in three different states, not all decided over the same distance.

First stage is the Kentucky Derby run on the first Saturday in May over 2000 metres, it is then on to Pimlico in Maryland for the Preakness Stakes over 1800 metres.

The last leg is the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park in New York state over 2400 metres; the course was established over 120 years ago.

Sir Barton was the first horse to win the Triple Crown; in fact he won the Kentucky Derby as a maiden.

The races associated with the Triple Crown are worth a lot of money, however, money cannot buy the four magnificent trophies, a sight to behold.