Omaha’s career wasn’t as distinguished as that of his father Gallant Fox. His two-year old career was nothing to talk about and his three-year old season lacked consistency or brilliance. His four-year old season had more air of what might have been.
James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons’s patient handling allowed Omaha to fill out nicely over winter between his two-year old and three-year old years.
Omaha was the 4-to-1 second choice for the Kentucky Derby as the Churchill Downs track was considered an off track
that day. Omaha made his move and was in the lead at the top of the stretch and went on to win the Kentucky Derby by 1 1/2 lengths from Roman Soldier.
Owner: Belair Stud
Trainer: James Fitzsimmons
Jockey: Willie Saunders
As Omaha won the Preakness with six lengths of Firethorn, he began being hailed as a potential champion. But he was soon to be questioned again after being defeated by Rosemont in the Withers Stakes. Omaha did however, go on to win the Belmont Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. After three more races Omaha sustained an injury that ended his racing season.
Omaha was shipped to England to race was a four-year old. He won his first two starts but finished second in the Gold Cup. After more races in England, Omaha sustained more injuries and was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm.
Claiborne sent him to a New York stud farm in 1943 when Omaha failed at stud at the former stud farm. Omaha stayed at the New York stud farm for seven years and then in 1950, he was moved to a farm in Nebraska where he lived out his life. Omaha died in 1959 and was buried at Aksarben racetrack in Omaha, Nebraska.