In honor of the recently run Kentucky Derby, here's an item from 1963, when a horse whose name had local ties nearly won the coveted Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont). Any idea what the horse's name was? Read on and you'll soon find out.
The owner was John W. Galbreath, well known nationally, and a frequent visitor to the North Country. Was he really that well known? Well, let's see. He owned baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates from 1946–1985 (one of his partners was Bing Crosby), and his team won the World Series in 1960, 1971, and 1979. He was a graduate of Ohio State and a longtime supporter of the school's athletic program, one of the most successful in the nation.
Like Donald Trump did recently, Galbreath became fabulously wealthy as a real estate developer, owning major properties in Columbus, Los Angeles, New York, and Pittsburgh. In 1986, the family fortune was estimated at $400 million.
Despite his substantial fame in those areas, Galbreath's favorite subject was horseracing. Perhaps the name of his birthplace (in 1897) was a good omen for a future in the sport: he was born in Derby, Ohio.
Among other things, Galbreath's great wealth allowed him to indulge his passion. He had become involved in horse racing in the 1930s, and eventually served as chairman of Churchill Downs in Louisville (where the Kentucky Derby is run). Near Columbus, Ohio, he developed the famed Darby Dan Farm into a 4,000-acre spread, producing many outstanding racehorses.
He had never won the Kentucky Derby, a goal of all major owners, and in 1963, none of Galbreath's horses seemed particularly promising. Then, shortly before the Derby, one of his colts captured three straight races, including the Blue Grass Stakes. Suddenly, anything was possible.
The horse's name was Chateaugay, and despite those successes, many other competitors were widely hyped for the Triple Crown races. In front of 120,000 fans at the Derby, Galbreath's favorite went off at 9-1 odds. There appeared to be little chance for success.
After running a mid-pack for much of the race, Chateaugay moved up to fourth. Near the final stretch, jockey Braulio Baeza steered his horse through an opening to the inside, where Chateaugay strode to the front, topping all the pre-race stars to win by 1¼ lengths.
In race number two, the Preakness, the same strategy was employed. This time, Chateaugay came roaring to the front, but fell just short, finishing 3½ lengths behind winner Candy Spots. In the Belmont, the results were very similar to the Preakness, but this time, Chateaugay's charge to the front was successful, overtaking Candy Spots to win by 2½ lengths. Only a close loss at the Preakness had prevented Chateaugay from winning the Triple Crown, but Galbreath's colt proved nevertheless to be a great racehorse.
During this time, the excitement in the North Country was fairly palpable, especially in the town of Chateaugay. Many were fervent supporters of the Galbreath and his horse, and the famed owner's appreciation was expressed in a letter intended for all:
Dear Mr. Peacock:
It was certainly nice of you to write me a letter about CHATEAUGAY winning the Kentucky Derby. Several people have asked me how we happened to name this horse as we did.
As you perhaps know, we have some interest in Lyon Mountain and Mineville, New York, and while I was up there several years ago, I saw the name Chateaugay. I made the remark at the time that I thought it was a pretty name for a town and also thought it would be a good name for a horse.
Since CHATEAUGAY's older sister, PRIMONETTE, was our best filly to date, we naturally hoped this colt would be a good one, and for that reason, we applied the name to him.
It has been very gratifying indeed to have so many nice letters from people of your town, and I hope you will thank the members of the Chamber of Commerce for their nice telegram which they sent under your name last week. I am going to have some pictures made just as soon as we receive the proofs, and I will eventually send you a picture which you can use for publishing in the paper.
Thank you again for your nice letter and wire.
Sincerely yours,
John W. Galbreath
© 2010 Lawrence P. Gooley