The Foxes of Belair: Gallant Fox, Omaha, and the Quest for the Triple Crown

by Jennifer S. Kelly

Calumet, Claiborne, King Ranch―these iconic names are among the owners and breeders revered by Thoroughbred industry professionals and racing fans around the world. As campaigners of many of the 20th century's top racehorses, their prestige has been confirmed by decades of competition in the Triple Crown, the most esteemed series in American Thoroughbred racing. Even with these substantial legacies, their success is measured against the benchmark set by one of racing's earliest dynasties, the historic Belair Stud.

The story of this legendary operation began with William Woodward's childhood memories of grand days at the racetrack, inspiring dreams of breeding a champion or two of his own. During a year working for the American Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Woodward frequented English racetracks, rekindling that childhood dream of breeding and owning champion Thoroughbreds. Woodward turned those dreams into reality, building Belair Stud on his family's Maryland estate, launching what would become the preeminent Thoroughbred breeding and racing empire in America and chasing racing's biggest prizes in both the United States and England.

The defining moment for Belair came when Woodward bred the imported stallion Sir Gallahad III to his mare Marguerite. Their colt, Gallant Fox, became only the second horse in history to win the Preakness Stakes, the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont Stakes in the same year. In 1935, the farm cemented the Triple Crown as the gold standard for three-year-olds when Gallant Fox's son, Omaha, duplicated his sire's trio of victories, a sweep that sealed the farm's legacy and carved its name in the annals of racing history.

In The Foxes of Belair: Gallant Fox, Omaha, and the Quest for the Triple Crown , Jennifer Kelly examines the racing legacies of Gallant Fox and Omaha and how William Woodward's service to racing during the 20th century forever changed the landscape of the American Thoroughbred industry.

Genres: Horse Racing

352 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Avalyn Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as the late Jim Bolus became the unquestioned historian of the Kentucky Derby, Jennifer Kelly is staking her claim to be the historian of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. Following on the heels of her outstanding Sir Barton and the Making of the Triple Crown, The Foxes of Belair explores the history of William Woodward and the two Triple Crown winners that he bred at his Belair Stud, Gallant Fox and his son Omaha. Painstakingly researched and exquisitely detailed, the book provides both in-depth portraits of its heroes and a sweeping overview of the long-range influence that Woodward and his champions exercised on Thoroughbred history, all in an easily read style that shows Kelly to be a master of her craft. The Foxes of Belair deserves a place in the libraries of both serious historians and more casual horse lovers.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love horse racing and I'm always fascinated by the rich history of the sport, especially the early Triple Crown winners. So this book was an enjoyable trip through the past, back when racing was king. The author did a TON of research, the notes are very elaborate--she must have read 3 zillion old newspaper articles (a highly scientific number I am sure is correct :-) The opening chapter is an exciting description of the lead up to a race, and then the rest is a little more dry as she details all of the history of the people and horses involved in bringing Gallant Fox and his son Omaha to racing preeminence. But it was still fascinating to me. Probably not to most of my acquaintances, haha! I would have liked to see more photos in the book, but there were enough to give you an idea of key people, horses and moments. I knew next to nothing about these two particular Triple Crown winners, Gallant Fox and his son Omaha, so this was quite enlightening. I also enjoyed the epilogue in which Kelly discusses the Triple Crown as a whole, as an entity that wasn't even called the Triple Crown until there were two or three winners, and talks about the overall history of its only 13 winners in the span of 100 years. And they're off!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved.

[Donna Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love horses or the history of horse racing, you will enjoy this book.