“𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙩.” Bob Baffert on American Pharoah and Arrogate

Bob Baffert on American Pharoah & Arrogate: “That’s as Close as I’ve Come to Secretariat”

Legendary trainer Bob Baffert has saddled multiple Triple Crown winners and countless champions, but two horses stand out as truly special in his remarkable career: American Pharoah and Arrogate. In a candid interview, Baffert reflected on what made them exceptional and how they measured up against the greatest of all time.

American Pharoah, the horse that ended the 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015, had a journey full of challenges. Baffert described him as a “head case” early on — nervous and difficult at the gate. A simple $6 pair of earplugs changed everything, calming the colt and unlocking his immense talent. From there, Pharoah dominated, winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont with authority. Baffert called the Belmont victory one of the greatest sporting events he had ever witnessed, with 100,000 fans united in cheering for history.

Just two years later came Arrogate, a powerhouse who Baffert believes came closest to matching Secretariat’s legendary level. After a breakout Travers Stakes win where he shattered the track record, Arrogate went on to dominate the Breeders’ Cup Classic (beating California Chrome) and the Dubai World Cup. Baffert was left breathless by his brilliance, especially his ability to overcome adversity like a poor break in Dubai yet still deliver a commanding performance.
For Baffert, these two horses represent the pinnacle of what he seeks: supreme athletes with that rare “something extra.” While he continues chasing the next superstar, he acknowledges the emotional toll and sacrifices that come with staying at the top. His passion remains undimmed — retirement isn’t on the horizon as long as there’s another potential champion waiting in the barn.