A muscular horse with the power of a top sprinter, Tom Fool was a fierce, determined battler who could carry high weights up to 1¼ miles without flinching. His undefeated 4-year-old campaign was one of the best ever seen in the handicap division and included a sweep of the Handicap Triple Crown, a feat not accomplished since Whisk Broom II in 1913. Following his retirement, Tom Fool became an important stallion.
Race record
30 starts, 21 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third, US$570,165
1951:
1952:
1953:
Honors
Assessments
Tom Fool was rated #11 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by an expert panel assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1951, 3 pounds above joint runners-up Cousin, Oh Leo, and Primate.
Ranked fourth among American 3-year-old males of 1952 by The Blood-Horse.
Highweighted at 136 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1953, 9 pounds above second-rated Mark-Ye-Well.
As an individual
Tom Fool stood 16.1-1/2 hands at maturity. A powerful, muscular, deep-girthed bay with slightly lopped ears, he had a toed-out right forefoot that did not interfere with his action. His knees (particularly the left) and ankles were questionable but his quarters were very strong, his hind legs straight and powerful, and his forearms well muscled. A sensible and intelligent horse around the barn, he was a fierce and eager competitor on the track. He possessed a blistering turn of foot.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Tom Fool sired 157 winners (56.1%) and 36 stakes winners (12.9%) from 280 named foals. He was a reluctant breeder and passed this quirk on to a number of his descendants. He also tended to throw knee problems. Tom Fool is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Buckpasser (USA), Dinner Partner (USA), Dunce (USA), Funloving (USA), Jester (USA), Meadow Music (USA), Moonmadness (USA), Mrs. Peterkin (USA), Silly Season (USA), Tim Tam (USA), Tompion (USA), Weatherwise (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Foolish Pleasure (USA), Hatchet Man (USA), Jim French (USA), Lady Capulet (USA), Late Bloomer (USA), Madelia (FR), Majesty’s Prince (USA), Meadow Court (IRE), Mount Hagen (FR), Native Partner (USA), Protanto (USA), Stop the Music (USA), Sweet Alliance (USA), Tona (USA)
Connections
Tom Fool was bred in Kentucky by Duval A. Headley. He was owned by Mrs. Charles Payson and John Hay Whitney, who purchased Tom Fool privately as a yearling for their Greentree Stable at a cost of US$20,000. Tom Fool was trained by John Gaver. Syndicated for US$1.75 million, he stood at Greentree Stud until being pensioned in 1972 and remained at Greentree until his death in 1976.
Pedigree notes
Tom Fool is inbred 5x5 to nine-time English champion sire St. Simon. He is a half brother to 1950 American champion 2-year-old filly Aunt Jinny (by Heliopolis), dam of stakes winners Copy Chief and Grand Central (both by Hasty Road).
The dam of Tom Fool, 1953 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Gaga, is a stakes-placed half sister to multiple stakes winner Algasir (sired by Bull Dog's full brother Sir Gallahad III). Gaga is also a half sister to Bull Poise (sired by Bull Dog's son Bull Lea), dam of the good stakes horse Ambiopoise (by Ambiorix), second dam of 1982 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and sprinter Avowal, and third dam of Grade 3 winner Aristocratical. In addition, Gaga is a half sister to Close Ranks (by Phalanx), second dam of 1974 Wood Memorial Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rube the Great and 1965 New Hampshire Sweepstakes winner Pass the Word.
Gaga's dam Alpoise is by Equipoise and is a half sister to Captivation (by Stimulus), third dam of 1970 Kentucky Derby winner Dust Commander. The sisters are out of 1931 Selima Stakes winner Laughing Queen (by Sun Briar), a full sister to 1925 American champion 2-year-old male Pompey and to Sunny Queen, dam of multiple stakes winner Kings Blue (by Blue Larkspur). Also a half sister to stakes winner Caesarion (by Man o' War), Laughing Queen is a daughter of 1920 American champion 3-year-old filly Cleopatra. Cleopatra, in turn, is by 1913 Middle Park Stakes winner Corcyra (by Polymelus) out of Gallice, by Gallinule.
Books and media
Fun facts
Photo credit
Tom Fool, Ted Atkinson up; photographer unknown. From Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Last updated: June 22, 2022
Race record
30 starts, 21 wins, 7 seconds, 1 third, US$570,165
1951:
- Won Futurity Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Belmont Park)
- Won East View Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Empire City)
- Won Grand Union Hotel Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Sanford Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Hopeful Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
1952:
- Won Grey Lag Handicap (USA, 9FD, Jamaica)
- Won Empire City Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Empire City)
- Won Jerome Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Wilson Stakes (USA, 8FD, Saratoga)
- Won Sysonby Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Wood Memorial Handicap (USA, 9FD, Jamaica)
- 2nd Westchester Handicap (USA, 9FD, Empire City)
- 2nd Roamer Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Jamaica)
- 2nd Rippey Handicap (USA, 6FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Travers Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
1953:
- Won Suburban Handicap (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- Won Sysonby Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Brooklyn Handicap (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Carter Handicap (USA, 7FD, Aqueduct; equaled track record 1:22)
- Won Pimlico Special (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico; equaled track record 1:55-4/5)
- Won Metropolitan Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Whitney Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Wilson Stakes (USA, 8FD, Saratoga)
- Won Joe H. Palmer Handicap (USA, 6FD, Belmont)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1960)
- Saratoga Hoofprints Walk of Fame (inducted as part of the inaugural class in 2013)
- Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1977)
- American Horse of the Year (1953)
- American champion 2-year-old male (1951)
- American champion handicap male (1953)
Assessments
Tom Fool was rated #11 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by an expert panel assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1951, 3 pounds above joint runners-up Cousin, Oh Leo, and Primate.
Ranked fourth among American 3-year-old males of 1952 by The Blood-Horse.
Highweighted at 136 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1953, 9 pounds above second-rated Mark-Ye-Well.
As an individual
Tom Fool stood 16.1-1/2 hands at maturity. A powerful, muscular, deep-girthed bay with slightly lopped ears, he had a toed-out right forefoot that did not interfere with his action. His knees (particularly the left) and ankles were questionable but his quarters were very strong, his hind legs straight and powerful, and his forearms well muscled. A sensible and intelligent horse around the barn, he was a fierce and eager competitor on the track. He possessed a blistering turn of foot.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, Tom Fool sired 157 winners (56.1%) and 36 stakes winners (12.9%) from 280 named foals. He was a reluctant breeder and passed this quirk on to a number of his descendants. He also tended to throw knee problems. Tom Fool is an Intermediate/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1966; 4th in 1965; 7th in 1958 and 1959.
- 7th on the American broodmare sire list in 1975; 10th in 1971.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1965.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 4th on the American general sire list in 1965; 7th on the US general sire list in 1958 and 1959.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1965.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1966; 4th in 1965; 7th in 1958 and 1959.
- 7th on the American broodmare sire list in 1975; 10th in 1971.
- 7th on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1965.
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1965.
- 8th on the French broodmare sire list in 1977.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1965.
Notable progeny
Buckpasser (USA), Dinner Partner (USA), Dunce (USA), Funloving (USA), Jester (USA), Meadow Music (USA), Moonmadness (USA), Mrs. Peterkin (USA), Silly Season (USA), Tim Tam (USA), Tompion (USA), Weatherwise (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Foolish Pleasure (USA), Hatchet Man (USA), Jim French (USA), Lady Capulet (USA), Late Bloomer (USA), Madelia (FR), Majesty’s Prince (USA), Meadow Court (IRE), Mount Hagen (FR), Native Partner (USA), Protanto (USA), Stop the Music (USA), Sweet Alliance (USA), Tona (USA)
Connections
Tom Fool was bred in Kentucky by Duval A. Headley. He was owned by Mrs. Charles Payson and John Hay Whitney, who purchased Tom Fool privately as a yearling for their Greentree Stable at a cost of US$20,000. Tom Fool was trained by John Gaver. Syndicated for US$1.75 million, he stood at Greentree Stud until being pensioned in 1972 and remained at Greentree until his death in 1976.
Pedigree notes
Tom Fool is inbred 5x5 to nine-time English champion sire St. Simon. He is a half brother to 1950 American champion 2-year-old filly Aunt Jinny (by Heliopolis), dam of stakes winners Copy Chief and Grand Central (both by Hasty Road).
The dam of Tom Fool, 1953 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Gaga, is a stakes-placed half sister to multiple stakes winner Algasir (sired by Bull Dog's full brother Sir Gallahad III). Gaga is also a half sister to Bull Poise (sired by Bull Dog's son Bull Lea), dam of the good stakes horse Ambiopoise (by Ambiorix), second dam of 1982 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and sprinter Avowal, and third dam of Grade 3 winner Aristocratical. In addition, Gaga is a half sister to Close Ranks (by Phalanx), second dam of 1974 Wood Memorial Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rube the Great and 1965 New Hampshire Sweepstakes winner Pass the Word.
Gaga's dam Alpoise is by Equipoise and is a half sister to Captivation (by Stimulus), third dam of 1970 Kentucky Derby winner Dust Commander. The sisters are out of 1931 Selima Stakes winner Laughing Queen (by Sun Briar), a full sister to 1925 American champion 2-year-old male Pompey and to Sunny Queen, dam of multiple stakes winner Kings Blue (by Blue Larkspur). Also a half sister to stakes winner Caesarion (by Man o' War), Laughing Queen is a daughter of 1920 American champion 3-year-old filly Cleopatra. Cleopatra, in turn, is by 1913 Middle Park Stakes winner Corcyra (by Polymelus) out of Gallice, by Gallinule.
Books and media
- Tom Fool is profiled in Chapter 32 of Abram Hewitt's Sire Lines (1977, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; updated and reprinted by Eclipse Press in 2006).
- Tom Fool is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
- Tom Fool is one of 50 Thoroughbreds profiled in Royal Blood: Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Written by racing historian Jim Bolus with illustrations and commentary by noted equine artist Richard Stone Reeves, the book was released by The Blood-Horse, Inc., in 1994.
Fun facts
- Tom Fool was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Ted Atkinson in all his races. Years later in retirement, Tom Fool still recognized his old rider's call and would come over to see him.
- Atkinson said of Tom Fool, "None of the others I ever rode, on their best days, could measure up with him."
- Tom Fool's victory in the 1953 Pimlico Special was ranked #27 in Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments, a review of racing in the 20th century compiled by The Blood-Horse and released in 2006.
- Tom Fool was so dominant during his Horse of the Year season that his last four races were run as non-betting events.
- In 1960, the National Turf Writers Association voted Tom Fool “Horse of the Decade” for the 1950s.
- The Tom Fool Handicap was inaugurated in 1975 at Belmont Park. It is currently a Grade 3 race for ages 4 and up contested over 6 furlongs on dirt at Aqueduct.
Photo credit
Tom Fool, Ted Atkinson up; photographer unknown. From Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Last updated: June 22, 2022