Gallant Bloom (KY)

Biography

Gallant Bloom, bred and owned by King Ranch’s Robert J. Kleberg, Jr., won a dozen stakes races in her career and posted a 12-race win streak stretching from her juvenile season into her 4-year-old campaign.

As a 2-year-old in 1968, Gallant Bloom won the National Stallion, Matron, and Gardenia stakes and was named Champion 2-Year-Old Filly by Daily Racing Form. After finishing second in the Frizette at Belmont Park in October 1968, Gallant Bloom did not lose again until June 1970. She was trained by Hall of Famer Max Hirsch as a 2-year-old before his son, Hall of Famer William J. “Buddy” Hirsch, conditioned her in 1969 and 1970.

During her undefeated sophomore campaign of 1969, Gallant Bloom won the Liberty Belle Handicap, Post-Deb Stakes, Monmouth Oaks, Delaware Oaks, Gazelle Handicap (defeating Shuvee), Matchmaker Stakes (defeating the older Gamely) and Spinster Stakes. With a perfect record of eight wins from as many starts, Gallant Bloom was named Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, as well as the Daily Racing Form’s Champion Female Handicap Horse.

Gallant Bloom extended her win streak to 12 with victories in the Santa Maria Handicap and Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap to begin her 4-year-old campaign in 1970. The streak was finally ended when Gallant Bloom was beaten in the Nassau County Handicap. After finishing off the board in the Suburban Handicap, Gallant Bloom was retired because of an ankle injury with a career record of 16-1-1 from 22 starts and earnings of $535,739.

Achievements

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly (Daily Racing Form) — 1968
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly — 1969
Champion Female Handicap Horse (Daily Racing Form ) — 1969