Name: Crafty Admiral
Year Born: 1948
Color: Bay
Sex: Colt
Sire: Fighting Fox
Dam: Admiral's Lady
Broodmare Sire: War Admiral
Profile: Crafty Admiral (Fighting Fox)
wasn't the most talented horse in the 1950's, but his great-grandson
would go onto be one of the most important studs of all time. As a
two year old he would finish second in the US Hotel Stakes at
Saratoga after breaking his maiden in his second start and winning an
allowance both at Jamaica. In 1952, he would win the Gulfstream Park
Hanidicap, Brooklyn Hanidcap, Merchants & Citizens Handicap,
Whirlaway Handicap and Washington Park Handicap before finishing
third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He would be named the 1952
Handicap Horse. In 1953, he would start the year with wins in the
Royal Palm Handicap and McLennan Handicap both at Hialah, and he also
defended his Gulfstream Park Handicap title. The latter which was in
March, would end up being his last win for three starts where in two
of the next three, he would finish out of the money.
On September 26, 1953 he would re-enter
the winners circle with a win in the New York Handicap. He ended his
career picking up 2 more wins in the Olympic Handicap and Gold Cup.
He would finish his career with a 10th place finish in the
D.C. International. The final totals for his career are 18 wins in 39
starts and earnings of $499,200.
As a sire, his best foal is Admirals
Voyage who won the Wood Memorial and Louisiana Derby while finishing
second in the Belmont. Despite that success, Admiral's Voyage more
known as the broodmare sire of Danzig (Northern Dancer) who of course
would make his mark as a sire not only in the US, but throughout the
entire world as well. Some other foals include stakes winner Little
Fitz and G2 placed Crafty Khale. As a broodmare sire, his most famous
grandfoal would be 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed (Exclusive
Native). Crafty Admiral passed away in 1972 at the age of 24.
Sire
Crafty
Admiral's sire Fighting Fox (Sir Gallahad (FR)), won the Grand Union
Hotel Stakes and was third in both the Futurity, Hopeful (to Menow
who would be the 2yo Champion in both races) and Champagne (to Sky
Larking) as a 2yo in 1937 (finishing right ahead of him in the
Hopeful and Champagne would be Bull Lea who would become the sire of
Citation). As a 3yo, he would pick up a win in the Wood Memorial, and
finished 2nd
behind War Admiral in the Wilson Stakes and 3rd
behind the legendary horse in the Whitney. As a Handicap horse he
would pick up wins in the Mass Cap and Carter. Other then Crafty
Admiral, Fighting Fox is also the sire of multiple stakes winner
Bonnie Beryl (the dam of Oaks winner Bug Brush (Nasrullah (GB)) and
former claimer turned multiple stakes winner War Eagle.
FF's
sire Sir Gallahad (FR) (Teddy (FR)) won the 2000 Guineas in his
native France as his 3yo season. He is a full brother to stakes
winner Bull Dog (FR) (Teddy (FR), but was much more successful then
him on the track. At stud, Sir Gallahad was a little bit ahead as he
had 3 Derby winners (Gallant Fox, Hoop Jr. and Gallahadion
compared to Bull Dog's 0. However, Bull Dog's son Bull Lea (who of
course finished right ahead of Fighting Fox in 2 races as 2yo) would
sire a TC winner in Citation and as a broodmare sire he had 1953
Derby winner Dark Star (Royal Gem (AUS), the only horse to ever
defeat Native Dancer (Polynesian). Other then the four horses
previously mentioned, Sir Gallahad is the sire to Gallant Sir who
broke the track record at Agua Caliente 1 year after it was set by
the legendary Australian super horse Phar Lap (NZ) (Night Raid (GB)).
Fighting
Fox's dam Marguerite (Celt) was unplaced in her lone start. Her best
foal is Fighting Fox's full brother the Triple Crown winner Gallant
Fox (Sir Gallahad (FR)). Gallant Fox is also the only of the US
Triple Crown winners to sire another Triple Crown winner (Omaha).
Fighting Fox is her second leading earner. She is a ½ sister to
stakes winner Cloudland (Wrack (GB)).
Dam
Crafty Admiral's dam Admiral's Lady (War Admiral) won once in her 10
race career. According to Pedigree Query, her lone other foal Water
Queen (Johnstown) is the dam of multiple stakes winner Beau Purple
(Beau Gar) who defeated the legendary Kelso (Your Host) three times.
War Admiral (Man O' War) the sire of Admiral's Lady is a Triple Crown
winner. He also won the Pimlico Special, Jockey Club Gold Cup and
Whitney. He is probley most known for being the runner up in the 1938
Pimlico Special which was between himself and the legendary
Seabiscuit (Hard Tack), possibly the first true rags to riches
racehorse in the world. Other then Admiral's Lady he is also the sire
of multiple stakes winner, Champion 2 and 3yo, Horse of the Year and
Hall of Famer Busher, multiple stakes winner and Hall of Famer
Searching, and multiple stakes winner Admiral Vee.
Admiral's Lady's dam is Boola Brook (Bull Dog (FR)) won twice in her
11 starts. Her highest earning and winningest foal is stakes placed
Noble Creek (Blenheim (GB)) who would sire multiple stakes winner
Mrs. Hellen.
Bibliography
Hirsch,
Joe. "The 1950's." Champions:
The Lives, Times, and Past Preformances of America's Greatest
Thoroughbred.
By Glenyne Cain, Steven Crist, David Grening, Jay Hovdey, Dave
Litfin, Jay Privman, and Paula Welch. New York, NY: Daily Racing
Form, 2005. 121-75. Print.
Reilly,
Kellie. "Crafty Admiral -- 1952 Champion Handicap Horse."
Brisnet.
Brisnet, 1 Feb. 2006. Web. 01 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/article.cgi?id=3418>.
Pedigree
Query. <http://pedigreequery.com>
Helberg,
Barbara. "Kentucky Derby Winners of French Sire Teddy Plus
Plucky Liege and Their Sons." HubPages.
N.p., 14 Oct. 2011. Web. 02 Sept. 2012.
<http://barbsbitsnpieces.hubpages.com/hub/Kentucky-Derby-Winners-of-French-Sire-Teddy-Plus-Plucky-Liege-and-Their-Sons>.
Equibase.
<http://equibase.com>
Than is spelt t-h-a-n
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