The 1961 Preakness Stakes was the 86th running of the $200,000 Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 20, 1961, and was televised in the United States on the CBS television network. Carry Back, who was jockeyed by John Sellers, won the race by three quarters of a length over runner-up Globemaster. Approximate post time was 5:47 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run on a fast track in a final time of 1:57-3/5 The Maryland Jockey Club reported total attendance of 32,211, this is recorded as second highest on the list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 1961.