American Pharoah’s Triple Crown victory in 2015 reignited interest in the physical attributes of champion racehorses. While his impressive stride length and speed were widely discussed, bloodstock consultant Cecil Seaman delved deeper, measuring American Pharoah and comparing him to other racing legends, including Secretariat. Seaman’s analysis offers fascinating insights into how these equine athletes stacked up against each other.
American Pharoah: A Biomechanical Marvel
Bob Baffert, American Pharoah’s trainer, often praised the colt’s exceptional “mechanics,” referring to his fluid movement and powerful strides. This prompted Seaman, known for his biomechanical evaluation system for Thoroughbreds, to take measurements of the Triple Crown winner. Seaman meticulously recorded 15 different measurements, from girth and body length to the length of his legs. This data allowed him to compare American Pharoah not only to other recent champions but also to Triple Crown legends like Secretariat.
Comparing Champions: Size and Conformation
Seaman’s data revealed that American Pharoah was the largest of the four most recent Triple Crown winners at the time. His measurements placed him in the elite A+ category within Seaman’s extensive database, a group comprising less than half of one percent of the over 108,000 horses he had evaluated. This group boasts numerous stakes winners and Grade 1 victors, indicating the strong correlation between physical attributes and racing success.
American Pharoah undergoing measurements by Cecil Seaman.
While American Pharoah was larger overall, Seaman noted striking similarities in proportion and conformation to 1992 Horse of the Year, A.P. Indy. Although American Pharoah stood a couple of inches taller and had slightly longer legs, many of their other measurements were remarkably similar. This suggests that certain body proportions may be particularly advantageous for racing performance. Seaman also had historical data on Triple Crown winners Affirmed, Seattle Slew, and Secretariat.
Secretariat vs. American Pharoah: By the Numbers
The table below, based on Seaman’s measurements, compares key dimensions of these four Triple Crown champions:
| Name | Length of Neck | Height* | Body Length | Hock to Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Pharoah | 31¼ inches | 70 in | 92¾ inches | 26½ inches |
| Affirmed | 31 inches | 68½ in | 90 inches | 26 inches |
| Seattle Slew | 31 inches | 67 in | 89 inches | 25½ inches |
| Secretariat | 31¼ inches | 68¼ in | 89½ inches | 26 inches |
*Height measured to a point in the neck, not top of withers.
As the table illustrates, American Pharoah possessed the longest body length at the time of measurement. He also shared the longest neck measurement with Secretariat. While Secretariat and American Pharoah had identical neck lengths and shared the same hock-to-ground measurement, American Pharoah was taller and had a significantly longer body. These findings underscore that while size plays a role, it’s the interplay of various physical attributes that contribute to a horse’s overall athleticism.
Beyond Size: Breeding and Temperament
Seaman emphasized that American Pharoah’s exceptional qualities weren’t solely due to size. He inherited favorable characteristics from both his sire line, boasting notable ancestors like Empire Maker and Unbridled, and his dam’s side, which contributed to his balance and frame. Seaman observed that American Pharoah, like Unbridled, possessed a special balance of frame and center of gravity derived from the dam’s side. This unique combination of genetics likely played a crucial role in his success.
Beyond physical measurements, Seaman also noted American Pharoah’s exceptional temperament, a trait he believed to be essential for a champion racehorse.
Conclusion: Size Matters, But It’s Not Everything
While American Pharoah’s size advantage over some Triple Crown winners is evident, Seaman’s work highlights the complexity of equine athleticism. Proportion, conformation, genetics, and temperament all contribute to a horse’s racing potential. While Secretariat may not have been the largest horse, his legendary status confirms that other factors, beyond sheer size, contribute to greatness on the racetrack. Seaman’s analysis provides a valuable framework for understanding the physical attributes that contribute to exceptional performance in Thoroughbred racing.
