1935: Gallant Fox and Omaha Become First Father and Son to Win the Triple Crown

On June 8, 1935, a chestnut colt named Omaha won the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, becoming the third winner of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. On June 7, 1930, Omaha’s father, a big bay colt named Gallant Fox, had also won the Belmont Stakes, becoming history’s second Triple Crown winner. The horses were the only father-son combination in history to win all three races of the Triple Crown – the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes. Both horses also had the same trainer, James "Sunny Jim" Fitzsimmons. Jockey Earl Sande rode Gallant Fox, while Willie Saunders rode Omaha. In 1919, Sir Barton had become the first horse to win the Triple Crown. While Gallant Fox was named Horse of the Year, Omaha was not, becoming the only Triple Crown winner to fail to earn the highest honor in horse racing. Jockey Saunders is shown here on Omaha in 1935.