The Most Glorious Crown: The Story of America's Triple Crown from Sir Barton to Affirmed

The Most Glorious Crown is the indisputable definitive work on this rare coronation, delving into the history, surrounding personalities, and subplots of each of the 11 Triple Crown champions. From Sir Barton in 1919 through Affirmed in 1978, each Triple Crown winner has exhibited a true personality and charisma befitting of super stardom. The Most Glorious Crown is a unique and fascinating inspection of each champion, their jockeys, owners, and trainers, as well as a riveting account of each race and the events and personalities leading up to each historic event.

This magnificent over sized book includes over 150 archival, authentic black-and-white photographs of each thoroughbred throughout different stages of their careers. The Most Glorious Crown also includes actual racing forms from each race of each quest for  the Triple Crown, and renowned author Marvin Drager’s prose brings to life these 11 remarkable stories.

HORSE RACING EXPERT DRAGER ON TRIPLE CROWN
Marvin Drager, renowned horse racing expert and author, has his book hit stores this month with The Most Glorious Crown. The hunt for the next Triple Crown winner begins on May 2, 2009, with the Kentucky Derby. Read an exclusive essay by Drager about this year's Triple Crown chances only on TriumphBooks.com!

Any media members looking to learn more about The Most Glorious Crown or to schedule time to speak with Drager about his expectations for this year’s chances of a Triple Crown winner should contact Josh Williams.

The Most Glorious Crown PR

The Story of America's Triple Crown

Thoroughbreds from Sir Barton to Affirmed

by Marvin Drager

Three races, a single victor. It sounds simple, but America's Triple Crown is a feat only eleven horses have achieved since 1875. It's one of the most celebrated accomplishments in sports, yet one of the least attainable.

 

The Most Glorious Crown: The Story of America's Triple Crown Thoroughbreds from Sir Barton to Affirmed by Marvin Drager (along with a full-length 100-minute DVD on the history of horse racing), delves into the history of each Triple Crown Champion, their jockeys, owners, trainers and specific accounts of each race leading up to their Triple Crown win.

 

The horses listed below each won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes their respective year to become part of the elite group of Triple Crown winners:

 

Ø Sir Barton 1919

Ø Gallant Fox 1930

Ø Omaha 1935

Ø War Admiral 1937

Ø Whirlway 1941

Ø Count Fleet 1943

Ø Assault 1946

Ø Citation 1948

Ø Secretariat 1973

Ø Seattle Slew 1977

Ø Affirmed 1978

This updated version of The Most Glorious Crown includes the actual racing forms from each race of each quest for the Triple Crown. An entire chapter is devoted to each winner which chronicles their journey to victory and provides insight into the specific details of what it takes to win while also revealing the reasons why so few have had the good fortune of this rare honor.

Readers can relive the recent near-misses of fan favorites Funny Cide and Smarty Jones and the heartbreak that continually surrounds this sport. Despite the adversity, The Most Glorious Crown reminds fans why they continue to come back year after year in hopes that their favorite horse will bask in the glory and become part of this exclusive group that will be remembered for years to come.

About the Author

Marvin Drager runs a successful public relations firm in New York City and was previously a photo editor for the Associated Press and a reporter for the New York Post. He has also contributed articles to major national magazines. A native New Yorker who resides in midtown Manhattan, he graduated from St. John's university and received his master's degree from Columbia University.

 

CONTACT: Josh Williams, Triumph Books, 312.252.1261, j.williams@triumphbooks.com

The Most Glorious Crown Review

by Phil Tatman, 6/7/09, The Indianapolis Star

Once again, there was no Triple Crown winner in horse racing. It's been 31 years since a horse won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
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But for those who remember Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed from the 1970s (or any of the other eight from the 20th century), here is a book for you.

"The Most Glorious Crown," by Marvin Drager, is an excellent history of the 11 winners, starting with Sir Barton in 1919 -- although it wasn't actually called the Triple Crown until 1950.

Drager, a former reporter for the New York Post, did a top-notch job of research, giving the reader a lot of good information on the jockeys, trainers, owners and horses -- and their races before and after they won the big three.

The book does not ignore two of the best-known non-winners of the Triple Crown: Man O' War, who skipped the Kentucky Derby and won the other two in 1920, and Seabiscuit, who raced primarily in California. They get their due, as do many of the superb Derby and Preakness winners who fell short in the Belmont, such as Tim Tam (1958), Kauai King (1966), Spectacular Bid (1979) and Smarty Jones (2004).

I was disappointed that Drager did not update the book with the 2006 tragedy of Barbaro, who dominated the Kentucky Derby but had to be euthanized after shattering his leg during the Preakness, and the 2008 near-miss of Big Brown, who won the first two legs but finished last in the Belmont.

But it sure is fun going back to yesteryear when horse racing, baseball and boxing were the three biggest sports in America.

My favorite chapter focuses on War Admiral, who won the Triple Crown in 1937. War Admiral was the son (and Seabiscuit the grandson) of Man O' War. The 1938 match race at Pimlico that featured 4-year-old War Admiral and 5-year-old Seabiscuit is widely regarded as the sport's greatest. Seabiscuit won by four lengths, and there are two pages of pictures of the complete event.

This book can stand alone. But it comes with a DVD from The History Channel: "Win, Place Show: The History of Horse Racing." It is must viewing for anyone who enjoys watching Thoroughbreds do their thing.