Gun Bow (KY)

Biography

Bred by Maine Chance Farm, Gun Bow was unraced as a 2-year-old because of soundness issues. In December 1962, he was purchased by Harry Albert and Mrs. John Stanley, who raced the son of Gun Shot under the name of Gedney Farm.

Sent to trainer Eddie Neloy, Gun Bow won six of 18 starts as a 3-year-old in 1963, including the Narragansett Special. The following year, Gun Bow became a standout and a top rival to five-time Horse of the Year Kelso. In the 1964 Brooklyn Handicap, Gun Bow set a track record of 1:59⅗ for 1¼ miles, defeating Kelso by 12 lengths. That autumn, Kelso defeated Gun Bow in the Aqueduct Stakes, but Gun Bow beat him by a nose in the Woodward. Gun Bow was then second when Kelso set an American record in the 1½-mile Washington, D.C. International.

Gun Bow was successful at various tracks. In California, he won the San Fernando Stakes, San Antonio Handicap (twice), and the Charles H. Strub Stakes (by 12 lengths); he won the Gulfstream Park Handicap and Donn Handicap in Florida; and in New York he won the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga by 10 lengths under 130 pounds and defeated Chieftain and Affectionately in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont. He also carried 132 pounds in winning the Washington Handicap in Chicago.

Five of Gun Bow’s victories in 1964 — the Woodward Stakes, Brooklyn Handicap, Washington Handicap, Gulfstream Park Handicap, and the Charles H. Strub Stakes — were each worth $100,000 or more. He topped the money list that year at $580,100, winning half of his 16 starts and finishing in the money 14 times.  

Gun Bow was retired to stud after his 5-year-old campaign in 1965 with a career record of 17-8-4 from 42 starts and earnings of $798,722. He had moderate success as a sire. An outstanding daughter, Pistol Packer, won several Group 1 races in France, including the 1971 Prix de Diane. In 1974, Gun Bow was sold to a breeding farm in Japan, where he died in 1979 at the age of 19.

Achievements

Won the Narragansett Special — 1963
Won the Brooklyn Handicap — 1964
Won the Charles H. Strub Stakes — 1964
Won the Gulfstream Park Handicap — 1964
Won the San Antonio Handicap — 1964
Won the San Fernando Stakes — 1964
Won the Washington Handicap — 1964
Won the Whitney Stakes — 1964
Won the Woodward Stakes — 1964
Won the Donn Handicap — 1965
Won the Metropolitan Handicap — 1965
Won the San Antonio Handicap — 1965

Horse Profile for Gun Bow | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information