What Happened to Seattle Slew?
Seattle Slew was a legendary American Thoroughbred racehorse, the tenth winner of the American Triple Crown in 1977, and uniquely, the only horse to achieve this feat while undefeated. After a stellar racing career, he became an exceptionally influential sire and broodmare sire, with his genetic legacy continuing to impact Thoroughbred racing through his descendants, including a maternal great-great-grandson winning the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Quick Answer
Seattle Slew was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse (1974-2002) who famously won the Triple Crown in 1977, becoming the only horse to accomplish this feat with an undefeated record. He retired from racing in 1978 with 14 wins from 17 starts and transitioned to a highly successful stud career, siring numerous Grade 1 winners and becoming a leading sire and broodmare sire. Seattle Slew passed away on May 7, 2002, at the age of 28, exactly 25 years after his Kentucky Derby victory, but his influential bloodline remains prominent in modern racing, with descendants like 2026 Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Foaled in Kentucky
Seattle Slew, a dark bay or brown colt, was foaled at Ben S. Castleman's White Horse Acres Farm near Lexington, Kentucky.
Purchased at Auction
He was purchased for $17,500 at the Fasig-Tipton yearling auction by Karen and Mickey Taylor and Jim and Sally Hill, who became known as 'the Slew Crew'.
Maiden Race Victory
Seattle Slew made his racing debut at Belmont Park, winning a six-furlong maiden race by five lengths.
Champagne Stakes Win
In his third career start, Seattle Slew romped to a 9 3/4-length victory in the Champagne Stakes, securing the Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male.
Kentucky Derby Victory
Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby by 1 3/4 lengths, the first leg of his Triple Crown bid, while remaining undefeated.
Preakness Stakes Win
He continued his undefeated streak by winning the Preakness Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths, setting up a Triple Crown attempt.
Belmont Stakes & Triple Crown
Seattle Slew won the Belmont Stakes by four lengths, becoming the tenth Triple Crown winner and the first to do so with an undefeated record.
First Career Loss in Swaps Stakes
In his first race after the Triple Crown, Seattle Slew suffered his first and only significant defeat, finishing fourth in the Swaps Stakes.
Defeats Affirmed in Marlboro Cup
In a highly anticipated race, Seattle Slew defeated 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed by three lengths in the Marlboro Cup.
Jockey Club Gold Cup Battle
Seattle Slew engaged in a memorable duel with Exceller in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, losing by a nose in a thrilling finish.
Retires after Stuyvesant Handicap Win
Seattle Slew concluded his racing career with a victory in the Stuyvesant Handicap, retiring with 14 wins from 17 starts.
Inducted into Hall of Fame
Seattle Slew was inducted into the United States Racing Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary achievements on the track.
Leading Sire in North America
Seattle Slew topped the North American sire list, a testament to his success in the breeding shed, with progeny like Kentucky Derby winner Swale.
Death of Seattle Slew
Seattle Slew passed away in his sleep at Hill 'n' Dale Farm at the age of 28, exactly 25 years after his Kentucky Derby victory.
Descendant Wins Kentucky Derby
His maternal great-great-grandson, Golden Tempo, won the 2026 Kentucky Derby, showcasing the enduring influence of Seattle Slew's bloodline in modern racing.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Seattle Slew, a dark bay or brown colt, was foaled on February 15, 1974, in Lexington, Kentucky. Purchased for a modest $17,500 at a 1975 yearling auction by Karen and Mickey Taylor and Jim and Sally Hill, he was initially considered awkward but quickly showed immense talent. Under trainer Billy Turner Jr., Seattle Slew began his racing career in September 1976, winning all three of his starts as a two-year-old, including the Champagne Stakes, earning him the Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.
His three-year-old campaign in 1977 was historic. Seattle Slew swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, becoming the tenth American Triple Crown winner and, notably, the first and only horse to achieve this undefeated. His dominant performances captivated the racing world, solidifying his place in history. After the Triple Crown, he suffered his first career loss in the Swaps Stakes, a race many attribute to a demanding schedule and tranquilization for travel.
As a four-year-old in 1978, Seattle Slew overcame a life-threatening viral infection and returned to the track. He famously met 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed in the Marlboro Cup, defeating him by three lengths in a highly anticipated clash of champions. He also won the Woodward Stakes in track-record time before a narrow nose defeat to Exceller in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Seattle Slew retired with a record of 14 wins and 2 seconds from 17 starts, with earnings of $1,208,726, and was named Champion Older Male.
Seattle Slew's impact extended far beyond the racetrack into his stud career, which began in 1979 at Spendthrift Farm and later moved to Three Chimneys Farm. He became a leading sire in North America in 1984 and a leading broodmare sire in 1995 and 1996. His progeny include numerous champions and influential sires such as A.P. Indy, Swale, Slew o' Gold, and Capote, establishing a lasting male line. His daughters also produced champions like Cigar and Lemon Drop Kid.
Seattle Slew underwent spinal fusion surgery in 2000 and a second surgery in 2002. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 7, 2002, at Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of 28. This date was exactly 25 years after his Kentucky Derby victory. His death marked the first time since 1919 that there was no living Triple Crown winner. His enduring legacy is evident in the continued success of his descendants, with his maternal great-great-grandson, Golden Tempo, winning the Kentucky Derby in 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Seattle Slew made different choices?