Defining a "GREAT" horse

[somerfrost]

A couple points...I do think there have been American raced horses who ran only on the turf that I would consider great...Manila, for example, I rank #74. Regarding the statement that a Triple Crown winner isn't necessarily great...I disagree! I think a TC winner is great by definition...of the 11 winners, the lowest ranking I give any is Sir Barton at #50. So many wonderful horses have failed to capture the TC...Native Dancer, Spectacular Bid, Risen Star, Sham to name just a few...all ranking in my top 50 yet failing to capture the TC. As others have said, winning the TC requires much more than 3 good races...a horse has to perform throughout the fall and winter of his/her 2 year old campaign and through to the first Saturday in May and then come back on two weeks rest and again on three to the most grueling races of his/her career...only a great horse does that!