Phalanx (1944–1971) was an American Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. In 1947, he won the Belmont Stakes and was voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.

Phalanx
SirePilate
GrandsireFriar Rock
DamJacola
DamsireJacopo
SexStallion
Foaled1944
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederAbram Stevens Hewitt II
OwnerCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
TrainerSylvester Veitch
Record41: 13-7-10
EarningsUS$409,275[1]
Major wins
Remsen Handicap (1946)
Wood Memorial Stakes (1947)
Dwyer Stakes (1947)
Empire City Handicap (1947)
Jockey Club Gold Cup (1947)
Daingerfield Handicap (1948)
American Classic Race wins:
Belmont Stakes (1947)
Awards
American Champion 3-Year-Old Colt (1947)

Background

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He was sired by Pilate, a son of the 1916 Belmont Stakes winner, Friar Rock. His dam was the outstanding runner Jacola, the American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 1937 who beat Seabiscuit by two lengths in the 1938 Laurel Stakes.[2]

Phalanx was conditioned for racing by future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer Syl Veitch.

Racing career

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At age two, Phalanx won the Remsen Handicap. At age three, after winning the Wood Memorial Stakes, he was the betting favorite going into the 1947 Kentucky Derby[3] but ran second to Jet Pilot.[4] and third to Faultless in the Preakness Stakes. In the final leg of U.S. Triple Crown series, Phalanx won[5] the Belmont Stakes by five lengths.[6] He also won the Dwyer Stakes, the Empire City Handicap and in the fall, the two-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Racing in 1948, Phalanx finished second to Citation in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and in the Empire City International Gold Cup. He did not get his first win of the year until November 6, when he captured the Daingerfield Handicap at Jamaica Race Course carrying top weight of 129 pounds.[7]

Stud record

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Retired to owner Sonny Whitney's stud farm in Kentucky, Phalanx notably sired Career Boy, the 1956 American Champion Turf Horse, and Fisherman, a multiple top-level performer whose wins included the Travers Stakes and Washington, D.C. International Stakes.

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Phalanx
Sire
Pilate
Friar Rock Rock Sand Sainfoin
Roquebrune
Fairy Gold Bend Or
Dame Masham
Herodias The Tetrarch Roi Herode
Vahren
Honora Gallinule
Word of Honour
Dam
Jacola
Jacopo Sansovino Swynford
Gondolette
Black Ray Black Jester
Lady Brilliant
La France Sir Gallahad Teddy
Plucky Liege
Flambette Durbar
La Flambee

References

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  1. ^ "Phalanx's pedigree and partial racing stats". Pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
  2. ^ [ Displaying Abstract ] (1938-10-16). "Wall Rides Jacola to Two-Length Triumph Over Seabiscui". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
  3. ^ "May 2, 1947 story on Phalanx and the Kentucky Derby in the St. Petersburg, Florida Evening Independent". 1947-05-02. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
  4. ^ "St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search".
  5. ^ 94 Die Airplane Crashes, 1947/06/02 (1947). Universal Newsreel. 1947. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  6. ^ Roach, James (1947-06-01). "PHALANX TRIUMPHS IN BELMONT STAKES". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-12-14.
  7. ^ "St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search".