Maryland-based freshman sire Galawi quickly registered his first winner when his first starter, Gala Gold, won on debut May 25 at Energy Downs Racing.
Racing for Stacey Budell, Gala Gold broke on top, quickly established a clear advantage, and drew off to a 14 1/4-length score in Sunday's four-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds. Sent off the 1-5 favorite for trainer Jon Zimmerman with Luis Valenzuela up, Gala Gold completed the half-mile test in :49.80 on a muddy track.
Galawi stands for $2,000 at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md. The son of Dubawi—Galikova, by Galileo, has 17 2-year-olds and 10 yearlings. Group 1 winner Galikova is a half sister to three-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner Goldikova.
Bred in Ireland by Wertheimer et Frere, Galawi won a maiden race at Belmont Park.
Out of the winning Uncle Mo mare Good Life Cider, Gala Gold is her dam's only foal. Good Life Cider is out of the More Than Ready daughter Apple Cider, who is a half sister to multiple grade 3-placed stakes winner Giant Run (Giant's Causeway) along with stakes winner and stakes producer American Victory (Victory Gallop).
Gala Gold was bred in Maryland by Marc Gunderson's Twin Oaks Bloodstock. She sold for $3,000 to Ken Katchel during the 2024 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale and then was sold again for $1,000 to Eliana Thompson through the Inglis Digital September Sale. The filly earned $5,500 in her debut.
