Rosie Napravnik rides Unlimited Budget in the Belmont Stakes on 2013-06-08, completing all three Triple Crown races as the first female jockey to do so in one year.
On June 8, 2013, Rosie Napravnik rode the filly Unlimited Budget to a sixth‑place finish in the Belmont Stakes, the third jewel of the U.S. Triple Crown.[5][7][9] With her starts in the Derby (Mylute), Preakness (Mylute), and Belmont (Unlimited Budget) that year, she became the first female jockey ever to compete in all three Triple Crown races in a single season.[5][7][9]
Riding a filly against colts and older male jockeys in the grueling 1½‑mile Belmont, Napravnik faced both tactical and symbolic challenges. Her presence in all three classics reflected growing confidence from trainers and owners that she was the right rider for high‑stakes mounts, regardless of gender.[7]
Historically, women had appeared in individual Triple Crown races but never completed the full series in one year. Napravnik’s accomplishment drew widespread media attention and led some outlets to describe her as horse racing’s "first female Triple Crown jockey."[7][5] The feat underscored not just her talent but the depth of opportunity she had earned through consistent success at major tracks.
This barrier-breaking season had long-term significance. It expanded the statistical record of women’s participation at the sport’s pinnacle and provided a powerful narrative of perseverance through injuries and prejudice. For the industry, it challenged assumptions about who could be trusted with classic mounts; for aspiring female riders, it offered a clear, modern example of a woman fully integrated into the Triple Crown spotlight. Napravnik’s 2013 campaign remains a landmark in the continuing story of women’s advancement in Thoroughbred racing.