1930 TC Champ Sired 1935 Winner
Sir Gallahad III Son, Gallant Fox, Changed American Breeding
Triple Crown Spotlight Series: Gallant Fox
TC Champions: Rankings
A large bay son of Sir Gallahad III, Gallant Fox was victorious in 1930 in the three American classics that compose the Triple Crown thoroughbred championship. He was the second tripler in American history. Just nine more since 1930 have achieved the triple honor.
Gallant Fox holds a special place in the American thoroughbred story. The "Fox of Belair" raced only two seasons. His triple triumph in 1930 followed an undistinguished two-year-old season in which he won twice from seven posts. Trainer "Sunny" James Fitzsimmons counted on Gallant Fox's breeding and applied his own brand of patience to his charge's schooling.
1930 Triple Champ Breeding
The French stallion, Sir Gallahad III, sired Gallant Fox in a pairing at Claiborne Farm with the mare,Marquerite, by Celt. This French connection later barred Gallant Fox's Triple Crown champion son, Omaha, from standing at stud in England, although the chestnut offspring did race there, thrilling the British as one of their own.
The pairing that produced Gallant Fox also produced a new slant to American thoroughbred racing: foreign breeding. English and French stallions, as well as those from other borders, became direct influential breeders for American barns.
British stock, in particlar, affected American thoroughbred racing. Thoroughbreds originated in England. As early as the 17th Century, Eastern imports began to influence British generations.
Original Three Breeding Stallions
Today's tail male descendents (from sire to paternal grandsire, etc.) date to one of three imported stallions. They were theDarley Arabian, theByerly Turk, and theGodolphin Barb. From the Darley Arabian line, a great-great-grandson was Eclipse, foaled in 1764. Thoroughbred champions in America are named each year through the Eclipse Awards, titled as such to honor the runner some consider the greatest of his century.
Eclipse Unbeaten
Eclipse ran in 18 races undefeated. His racing days didn't begin until he was five years old. This stallion's American lineage began with Domino and has been strengthened with numerous imports, most frequently from England, that include Gallant Fox's sire, Sir Gallahad III.
Gallant Fox's owner, William Woodward, was one of American racing's innovators who embarked on the acquisition of foreign breeding stock. Breeding ventures require patience. Bloodlines prove out over a period of years. Getting two Triple Crown champions in the same decade from Sir Gallahad III bred colts certainly proved Woodward's stance.
1936 HOY
Woodward wasted no time getting Gallant Fox to the breeding shed after his three-year-old campaign. The Triple Crown champ quickly produced tripler Omaha and Granville, Belmont Stakes champion and Horse of the Year in 1936.
Other notables from Gallant Fox genes were Calumet Dick, Gangway, and Willing Spirit.
