Gaga had a hind-end problem as a youngster that made it questionable as to whether she would ever get to the races. She did, winning or placing in 18 or her 26 starts and picking up a stakes placing as a 4-year-old. She only produced five named foals, but her first two were champions Aunt Jinny and Tom Fool, earning Gaga Kentucky Broodmare of the Year honors in 1953. Unfortunately, none of her three daughters managed to continue the family at anything close to that level.
Race record
26 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds, US$15,875
1946:
Honors
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Broodmare of the Year (1953)
As an individual
A bay mare, Gaga was roomy with the rounded, muscular, attractive build typical of her sire’s progeny. She had an excellent disposition and was said to be intelligent.
As a producer
Gaga produced five named foals, all of which started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Gaga was bred by A. C. Ernst, who sold her privately to owner-trainer Duval Headley for US$2,250 when the filly was a yearling. Gaga raced in the colors of Headley’s wife and produced all her foals in Headley's name. The mare died due to internal hemorraging after producing a colt by Helioscope on May 9, 1959.
Pedigree notes
Gaga’s pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. She is a 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 champion 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 England Sweepstakes winner Pass the Word.
Gaga's dam Alpoise is a half sister to Captivation, 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.
Fun facts:
Last updated: April 12, 2022
Race record
26 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, 5 thirds, US$15,875
1946:
- 3rd Carroll Handicap (USA, 6FD, Pimlico)
Honors
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Broodmare of the Year (1953)
As an individual
A bay mare, Gaga was roomy with the rounded, muscular, attractive build typical of her sire’s progeny. She had an excellent disposition and was said to be intelligent.
As a producer
Gaga produced five named foals, all of which started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Aunt Jinny (1948, by Heliopolis) was the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1950. She produced 1963 Clark Handicap winner Copy Chief and multiple stakes winner Grand Central (both by Hasty Road), but her only producing daughter failed to breed on.
- Tom Fool (1949, by Menow) was the 1953 American Horse of the Year. He was a successful stallion whose 36 stakes winners were led by 1966 American Horse of the Year Buckpasser, a four-time American champion broodmare sire.
Connections
Gaga was bred by A. C. Ernst, who sold her privately to owner-trainer Duval Headley for US$2,250 when the filly was a yearling. Gaga raced in the colors of Headley’s wife and produced all her foals in Headley's name. The mare died due to internal hemorraging after producing a colt by Helioscope on May 9, 1959.
Pedigree notes
Gaga’s pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. She is a 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 champion 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 England Sweepstakes winner Pass the Word.
Gaga's dam Alpoise is a half sister to Captivation, 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.
Fun facts:
- Gaga was named for the way her owners' small daughters pronounced "grandmother."
Last updated: April 12, 2022