©Keeneland-Morgan
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Assault
Chestnut colt foaled in 1943. Died 1971. By Bold Venture-Igual, by Equipoise
Breeder:
Robert J. Kleberg's King Ranch
Owner:
King Ranch
Trainer:
Max Hirsch
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RACE RECORD
| YEAR |
AGE | STARTS |
1ST | 2ND |
3RD | EARNED |
| 1945 | 2 |
9 | 2 |
2 | 1 | $17,250 |
| 1946 | 3 |
15 | 8 |
2 | 3 | $424,195 |
| 1947 | 4 |
7 | 5 |
1 | 1 | $181,925 |
| 1948 | 5 |
2 | 1 |
0 | 0 | $3,250 |
| 1949 | 6 |
6 | 1 |
1 | 1 | $45,900 |
| 1950 | 7 |
3 | 1 |
0 | 1 | $2,950 |
| TOTALS: |
42 | 18 |
6 | 7 | $675,470 |
In 1946 when Assault became America's seventh Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year, trainer Max Hirsch exclaimed: 'I never trained a better horse.' Assault raced for 6 years, setting earnings records and defeating older horses. During his Triple Crown sweep, he won the Kentucky Derby by eight lengths and the Preakness by a neck. In the final leg of the Triple Crown, Assault won the Belmont by three lengths over Natchez. He then closed out the season with impressive victories over older champions in the Pimlico Special, defeating Stymie by six lengths, and defeating Lucky Draw in the Westchester Handicap.
Assault battles Stymie for victory in the Butler Handicap; NMR Collection, painting by Franklin Voss
By the end of his 3-year-old season, Assault's earnings eclipsed the one-season mark set in 1930. He was named Champion 3-year-old male and Horse of the Year for 1946.
At 4 Assault's most impressive victory was his Butler Handicap win over Stymie and Gallorette. Assault carried 135 pounds in this race. During this year he also won the Brooklyn, Suburban, Grey Lag, and Dixie Handicaps. Assault was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1964.
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