Here is a photograph of the beautiful Sir Gallahad's grave. His record in France was 23: 10-3-3 and in England 1: 1-0-0. He was a "big, robust colt of regal mien" and when A.B. Hancock, Sr. saw him in a photograph, he knew he had to bring him to America. Here's what a British reporter said of him, "When he gets into action he bids us look at him a second and yet a third time for he strides along in effortless style."He was brought to the United States as part of the first stallion syndication ever, as Hancock and his friends, Wililam Woodward, R.A. Fairbairn and Marshall Field pulled together the $125,000 necessary. It was worth it! He was brought over in 1926 and in his first foal crop, he produced the 1930 Triple Crown winner, Gallant Fox. He was at the top of the leading sires list 4 times, and the lead broodmare sire 12 times, 10 times consecutively! He produced 567 foals in his lifetime. He was so successful as a sire that it inspired Hancock to go back to Europe and bring back Blenheim for syndication. And bingo, zappo, yazza! Blenheim produced the 1937 Triple Crown winner, Whirlaway, in his first crop. Yowza!
Here's the sweet thing. He was so sweet, affectionate, and goofy about flirting with his tongue. So gentle, that Hancock, Sr. once said, "Gallahad has given me more pleasure than any horse I ever was connected with." How nice is that!?
Anyway, his mama, through Teddy, is the superstar Plucky Liege. This filly produced 12 foals (5 fillies, 7 colts) and among her colts she produced 6 stakes winners, 3 of which were classic winners, and 4 who became leading sires. Violet has 3 of these great colts in her pedigree -- Sir Gallahad himself, Bull Dog, and Admiral Drake -- all hugely significant sires in the U.S. and Europe!
My cites for this blog entry are Hewitt's Sire Lines and Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments. Thanks to those sources!