The 37-year wait is over! American Pharoah wins the Triple Crown after placing first at the Belmont Stakes

• American Pharoah led all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by five lengths
• The bay colt with the unusually short tail defeated seven rivals at Belmont 
• American Pharoah becomes the first horse in 37 years to win Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes

American Pharoah became the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the American Triple Crown at Belmont Park in New York on Saturday night.

Jockey Victor Espinoza guided the Bob Baffert-trained American Pharoah to a five-and-a-half-length win over Godolphin's Frosted.

His Belmont Stakes win followed success in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Victor Espinoza on American Pharoah after winning the 147th running of the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park

Espinoza celebrates after riding American Pharoah to victory at Belmont Park on Saturday

American Pharoah led all the way to win the Belmont Stakes by five lengths on Saturday

Twelve months earlier Espinoza had been beaten on California Chrome as he became the 12th horse to fail at the final hurdle since the famous treble of Affirmed.

Others to have failed at the last leg include Spectacular Bid (1979), Alysheba (1987), Sunday Silence (1989) and Silver Charm (1997).