PARIS, Ky. (AP) — Personal Ensign, who capped her brilliant unbeaten career with a thrilling victory in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff, has died. She was 26.
Claiborne Farm stallion manager Bernie Sams said Personal Ensign appeared to die of natural causes. Her body was discovered in a field for retired broodmares Thursday morning.
Personal Ensign never lost in 13 career starts, becoming the first major American racehorse to retire unbeaten since Colin did so in 1908.
Owned by Ogden Phipps and trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, Personal Ensign became a sensation during her spectacular career. She won eight Grade 1 races between 1986-88, including six during her 4-year-old campaign alone.
"Personal Ensign was the first Breeders' Cup winner for my grandfather and for Shug and she was just a very special horse to everyone in our family," said Daisy Phipps Pulito. "It's a very sad day for all of us."
Notable victories included the 1988 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga — when she beat a field of boys by 1½ lengths — as well as the Maskette Stakes and the Shuvee Handicap.
Not bad for a horse whose racing career appeared to be in jeopardy after suffering a severe injury to her left rear pastern while preparing for the 1986 Breeders' Cup. She recovered and after an 11-month layoff became arguably the sport's biggest star.
"She was a wonderful filly who overcame injury to win 13 straight races," McGaughey said. "She certainly was one of my all-time favorites. She was a career-maker."
One who had a flair for the dramatic.
Pitted against Kentucky Derby-winning filly Winning Colors in the '88 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs, Personal Ensign trailed by five lengths at the top of the stretch before putting together a charge for the ages. She tracked down the Derby winner in the final yards to win by a nose and finish unbeaten in 13 career starts while earning more than $1.6 million.
"She's determined," jockey Randy Romero said after the race. "There's a one in a million you can get like her and she's the one. What's so good about her is she doesn't want to get beat."
Nobody ever did, though her 13-0 mark has been eclipsed by star mare Zenyatta, who entered Friday's Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park unbeaten in 15 races.
Personal Ensign, voted into racing's Hall of Fame in 1993, was retired to Claiborne after winning the Distaff and became one of the most successful broodmares in racing. She was chosen Broodmare of the Year in 1996 before being pensioned in 2007.
Offspring include Grade 1 winners Miner's Mark, who won the 1993 Jockey Club Gold Cup and My Flag, who captured the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
She was buried at Marchmont Cemetery alongside stablemates Easy Goer, Private Account, Numbered Account and Relaxing.
LA Times.com
Claiborne Farm stallion manager Bernie Sams said Personal Ensign appeared to die of natural causes. Her body was discovered in a field for retired broodmares Thursday morning.
Personal Ensign never lost in 13 career starts, becoming the first major American racehorse to retire unbeaten since Colin did so in 1908.
Owned by Ogden Phipps and trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, Personal Ensign became a sensation during her spectacular career. She won eight Grade 1 races between 1986-88, including six during her 4-year-old campaign alone.
"Personal Ensign was the first Breeders' Cup winner for my grandfather and for Shug and she was just a very special horse to everyone in our family," said Daisy Phipps Pulito. "It's a very sad day for all of us."
Notable victories included the 1988 Whitney Handicap at Saratoga — when she beat a field of boys by 1½ lengths — as well as the Maskette Stakes and the Shuvee Handicap.
Not bad for a horse whose racing career appeared to be in jeopardy after suffering a severe injury to her left rear pastern while preparing for the 1986 Breeders' Cup. She recovered and after an 11-month layoff became arguably the sport's biggest star.
"She was a wonderful filly who overcame injury to win 13 straight races," McGaughey said. "She certainly was one of my all-time favorites. She was a career-maker."
One who had a flair for the dramatic.
Pitted against Kentucky Derby-winning filly Winning Colors in the '88 Breeders' Cup Distaff at Churchill Downs, Personal Ensign trailed by five lengths at the top of the stretch before putting together a charge for the ages. She tracked down the Derby winner in the final yards to win by a nose and finish unbeaten in 13 career starts while earning more than $1.6 million.
"She's determined," jockey Randy Romero said after the race. "There's a one in a million you can get like her and she's the one. What's so good about her is she doesn't want to get beat."
Nobody ever did, though her 13-0 mark has been eclipsed by star mare Zenyatta, who entered Friday's Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park unbeaten in 15 races.
Personal Ensign, voted into racing's Hall of Fame in 1993, was retired to Claiborne after winning the Distaff and became one of the most successful broodmares in racing. She was chosen Broodmare of the Year in 1996 before being pensioned in 2007.
Offspring include Grade 1 winners Miner's Mark, who won the 1993 Jockey Club Gold Cup and My Flag, who captured the 1995 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
She was buried at Marchmont Cemetery alongside stablemates Easy Goer, Private Account, Numbered Account and Relaxing.
LA Times.com
