25/04/2021
This is an original 1952 photo of Crafty Admiral and his owner Charlie Cohen feeding him at carrot at Hialeah.
Crafty Admiral was bred by Harry Guggenheim and was sold to Hugh Grant for $6,500 at a Paddock Sale at Belmont Park. Grant later sold him in 1951 to Charles and Frances Cohen and their Charfran Stable.
He was by Fighting Fox (a full brother to Gallant Fox) out of Admiral’s Lady by War Admiral. His dam died after giving birth to Crafty Admiral.
At two in 1950, he finished second in the United States Hotel Stakes.
Crafty Admiral did not run in any of the Triple Crown races.
At four in 1952, Crafty Admiral won: the Merchants and Citizens Handicap; the Gulfstream Handicap; the Brooklyn Handicap over To Market; the Palm Beach Handicap and the Whirlaway over Oil Capitol; and the Washington Park Handicap over To Market and the nice filly Sickle’s Image.
He finished second: to One Hitter in the Suburban Handicap; to Dark Peter in the Toboggan Handicap; to Northern Star in the Carter Handicap; and to Alerted in the Thomas J. Healey Handicap.
Crafty Admiral was third behind One Count and Mark-Ye-Well in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
He was named the 1952 Champion Handicap Horse.
At five in 1953, he won: the Olympic Handicap; the Royal Palm Handicap; the New York Handicap; the Empire City Gold Cup; the Gulfstream Park Handicap and the McLennan Handicap. He was second to Cold Command in the Westchester Handicap.
Crafty Admiral finished third: behind Royal Vale and Cold Command in the Dixie Handicap and behind Spartan Valor and How in the Tropical Park Handicap.
At stud his best were:
Admiral’s Voyage: multiple Stakes winner and Sire of Pas de Nom the dam of Danzig.
Craftiness: winner of the 1961 Diana Handicap.
Crafty Lace: 1962 Canadian Horse of the Year.
Crafty Khale: winner of the 1974 Stuyvesant Handicap.
Firmanaha: winner of the 1963 Diana Handicap.
Won’t Tell You: dam of 1978 Triple Crown winner Affirmed.
In 1978 Crafty Admiral was the Leading Broodmare Sire.