GALLANT FOX (1930)

Among the many famed champion thoroughbreds born at Claiborne Farm over the years was a bay colt with a striking blaze, a watch eye, and four white cornets. Gallant Fox was a son of Sir Gallhad III, an imported stallion who topped the sire's list four times. His dam was also a very successful broodmare--this Triple Crown winning colt was the best among many champions she produced. Gallant Fox ran third in his first start as a green horse, and finished out of the money for the only time in his career in his second start. He would go on to finish in the money for the remainder of his two year old season, however his two victories that year were not enough to make him Juvenile champion. Still, the colt was considered a leading contender for the major three year old stakes races.

As a three year old, Gallant Fox won his single Triple Crown prep in the Wood Memorial by four lengths off a troubled trip. The Preakness came before the Derby in 1930. The fox overcame adversity once again to win by three quarters going away in what the New York Times described as "the most electrifying dash that has been seen in Maryland in many a day." The Kentucky Derby, which was run with the use of a starting gate for the first time that year, was next on the Fox's schedule. He was an easy winner once again. It was his jockey, Earl Sande's third win--he had ridden both Zev in 1923 and Flying Ebony in 1925. Gallant Fox was not favored to win the Belmont, as it was the first time as a three year old that he would face the two year old champion, Whicone, who had been sidelined with knee injuries. But The Fox easily held off the foe who had beaten him just a few months prior to become the second Triple Crown winner.

Gallant Fox and Whicone met once more after they both had a successful summer campaign, each without defeat after the Belmont. They turned the Travers Stakes into a speed duel, and both raced wide on the muddy track. These worked together to open up the door for one hundred to one longshot Jim Dandy, who won by eight lengths. Gallant Fox was second, and an injured Whicone finished up his career six lenths behind him. Gallant Fox would win twice more, including a victory over Questionnaire, who had not lost since the Belmont Stakes, in what was the greatest battle of his career. The two ran the stretch together, but the Triple Crown winner prevailed in the end. This earned him Horse of the Year honors in 1930. He ran once more, but after an easy victory, he developed a fever and was retired.

He stood as stud at Claiborne farm, where he, in his first crop, sired Omaha, who to this day is the only Triple Crown winner produced by a Triple Crown winner. His race record boasted of eleven wins in seventeen starts, with three seconds and two thirds. He won a record $328,165, and produced twenty stakes winners.