Page 47 - September 2019

by Larry Thornton
Strawberry Silk wins the 1989 A Delightful Dasher wins the 1999 All American Futurity-G1 All American Futurity-G1
Galobar wins the 1959 All American Futurity
Runnning Brook Gal wins the 2009 All American Futurity-G1
Charge. He was an ROM earner on the track and stakes placed in the 1965 Del Rio Derby. The heritage of Galobar and the All American Futurity has been carried on through her sister Romabar, the fifth dam in the tail female line of 2010 All American Futurity winner Mr Piloto.
The legacy of Galobar will live on as long as the All American Futurity is run. We don’t know how her legacy might have changed if she had produced more foals. But, we do know Galobar will always be remembered as the first one to fulfill the All American Dream.
When the gates opened for the finals of the first All American Futurity on Sept. 7, 1959, a new era in Quarter Horse racing was ushered in. This first All American Futurity payment program brought together 29 colts and fillies that had been paid up to run in the trials. The purse was a record $129,686, making it the largest purse for a Quarter Horse race. The finals consisted of four colts and six fillies, with the fillies carrying 116 pounds and the colts carrying 119 pounds. The winner was the sorrel filly Galobar, by Three Bars TB and out of Josephine R by Raffles TB.
Galobar is not only the first winner of the All American, but she is also the first home bred to win this prestigious race. Hugh Huntly, her owner and breeder, was a farmer from Washington and California who raised wheat and cattle. As his farming enterprises grew, so did his interest in Quarter Horse racing. As his racing interests grew, so did his association with Newt Keck – as he became the full time trainer for Huntley.
Daylight Mc, a match racehorse, was one of their first runners. Her most memorable race was in 1953 with a car, a new 1953 Buick, at 350 yards and the mare won the race. This mare led to other race bred mares including Josephine R, a broodmare for the Huntley/Keck team. She was the dam of Galobar, who was born in 1957. Josephine R came with great credentials, as she was the dam of 1954 AQHA Racing World Champion Josie’s Bar – a full sister to Galobar.
Galobar started her race career at Los Alamitos Race Course in a 350 yard race where she finished second. Then she went to Ruidoso to win two starts, one at 350 yards and the other at 400 yards. These two wins set her up for the All American trials, which were dominated by a number of disqualifications.
The first All American field of the 29 two
year old’s ran in three trials. In the first trial,
Mary Sunshine came home first with Real Gone second and Leanna Leo third. Oh My Oh finished fourth, but was disqualified for interference and she was placed seventh. The second trial was won by Me Bright, with Charge Bar in second. Me Bright was disqualified and Granite Dust was
disqualified, moving Charge Bar to first, Galobar to second and May’s Pilgrim getting third. Charge Bar was scratched from the main event, giving Tonta Lass a spot in the finals. The third trial was won by Panama Ace, with Miss Olene finishing second and Bar Flirt coming in third with no disqualifications. They all qualified. Quick Mistress and Explosive became the last two finalists.
Panama Ace was the fastest qualifier in :20.90, followed Miss Olene in :21.20, and Quick Mistress and Bar Flirt in :21.40. Galobar and Mary Sunshine had times of :21.60 as the fourth fastest qualifiers. They were followed
by May’s Pilgrim, Real Gone and Explosive in :21.70, and Tonta Lass in :21.80.
When the gates opened for the first All American, Bar Flirt got the lead with Panama Ace and Miss Olene right behind her. Then, Galobar surged ahead and she held the lead the rest of the way. Panama Ace gave a valiant effort in the final 50 yards, but Galobar held on to win by 1/2-length with jockey Clifford Lambert in the saddle. Their time was
:20.50 for the 400 yards. Galobar was
awarded the $64,843.43 first place
check, with Panama Ace following her
across the finish line and Miss Olene,
the pre-race favorite, finishing third.
Quick Mistress was fourth, Bar Flirt
fifth, May’s Pilgrim sixth, Real Gone seventh, Mary Sunshine eighth and Explosive finished ninth. Tonta Lass lost her rider shortly after the race started and received a no time for tenth place.
Galobar moved back to California to make two more starts in 1959. She was sixth in both of these starts, with the second race being the Diamond Mae Stakes. She came back at three to win one of four starts, with the win coming in the 1960 Fullerton Stakes at Los Alamitos. She was a finalist in the Go Man Go Stakes and the Autumn Championship. Her two starts at four resulted in two eighth place finishes. She retired with 13 starts, including her four wins and two seconds to earn $68,283.
Galobar became a broodmare, but only produced one foal in Low Charge by Depth
Galobar won the first
All American Futurity under jockey Clifford Lambert for breeder/owner Hugh Huntley and
trainer Newt Keck.
Galobar will always be remembered as the first
to fulfill the All American Dream.
SPEEDHORSE, September 2019 45