Triple Crown Heroes: Gallant Fox

Editor's Note: In the second of 11 installments on previous Triple Crown winners, a look at how The Blood-Horse magazine covered the 1930 Belmont Stakes victory of Gallant Fox. Following is an excerpt from June 14, 1930 issue of The Blood-Horse on Gallant Fox winning the Belmont Stakes to complete the Triple Crown:

Gallant Fox, magnificent son of Sir Gallahad III, property of William Woodward, proved his superiority and his rightful claim to championship of the 3-year-olds when, at Belmont Park, June 7, he added the famous Belmont Stakes to his Wood Memorial, Preakness Stakes, and Kentucky Derby victories. Ridden by Earl Sande, who has piloted him in all of his starts this season, Gallant Fox finished the one mile and one-half three lengths in front of H.P. Whitney's Whichone, his challeger. James Butler's Questionnaire was third, three lengths back of the Whitney colt and 20 lengths in front of Walter J. Salmon's Swinfield. The fractional time for the distance was :23 4-5, :37 2-5, :50 1-2, 1:03 3-5, 1:16, 1:28 3-5, 1:41, 1:54, 2:07, 2:31 3-5. The weather was rainy, but the track was considered good. The net value to the winner was $66,040, the greatest amount the event has ever been worth.

Excitement was high as the four were paraded to the post, and, although it was raining, many risked a drenching and crowded along the rail to see the starting. The Woodward colt had first position, Swinfield next, and then Whichone and Questionnaire. There was a false start, for which Gallant Fox was responsible, but Sande had him under entire control and returned him to the post without any trouble.

When the barrier went up Sande at once sent the son of Sir Gallahad III to the front and he led all the way. Questionnaire raced after him and then Swinfield. Workman had Whichone in last place. The Woodward colt had a lead of two lengths before the run to the backstretch had been completed, but he was galloping under restraint. After they turned out of the backstretch Workman made his move on Whichone, and he went along smoothly until he was in contention. Gallant Fox continued to gallop along like a piece of machinery, and when the Whitney colt seemed a possible menace, Sande urged his mount slightly and the colt moved away gamely, until at the end he was three lengths clear and racing along easily.

This was Gallant Fox's first start since the Kentucky Derby, and marked his fourth consecutive victory this season, included in which are the three oldest of the stakes races for 3-year-olds. Gallant Fox has now achieved what only one other horse, Sir Barton, was ever able to do, that is win the Preakness, Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The two might be called Triple Event winners. The Woodward colt still has in the immediate future the American Derby (June 14) and the Classic (Arlington Park, July 19) before him to add to his earnings, which now are $198,730.

(Afternote: Gallant Fox didn't run in the American Derby. He won the Classic, then was beaten as the favorite by 100-1 Jim Dandy in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. He won his next three starts and was retired with world-record earnings of $328,165. He sired Woodward's 1935 Triple Crown winner Omaha from his first crop. Gallant Fox ranks No. 28 on The Blood-Horse's Top 100 Racehorses of the 20th Century.)