Seattle Slew, the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated, died Tuesday morning in his sleep at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm near Lexington. On May 7, 1977, exactly 25 years ago, Slew won the Kentucky Derby. Seattle Slew had been the last remaining Triple Crown winner, and his passing leaves the Thoroughbred world without a living Triple Crown winner for the first time since Sir Barton first accomplished the feat in 1919.

Sold at auction for $17,500, Seattle Slew became not only a great racehorse but one of the most important sires in Thoroughbred racing history. He has sired 102 stakes winners, including A.P. Indy, Slew o’ Gold, Surfside, Swale, Capote, Landaluce, Slew City Slew, Flute, and Honest Lady.

“He was the most complete Thoroughbred the industy has ever seen,” said Mickey Taylor, who raced the horse with his wife, Karen, and Dr. Jim Hill and his wife, Sally. “He just kept raising the bar with every record he broke.”

The Taylors were with him at the time of his death, having attended to Slew throughout his career. “He had the greatest heart; he was a fighter to the end.” Karen Taylor said