Personal Ensign | |
---|---|
Sire | Private Account |
Grandsire | Damascus |
Dam | Grecian Banner |
Damsire | Hoist The Flag |
Sex | Mare |
Foaled | April 27, 1984 |
Country | United States |
Colour | Bay |
Breeder | Ogden Phipps |
Owner | Ogden Phipps |
Trainer | Claude McGaughey |
Record | 13: 13-0-0 |
Earnings | $1,679,880[1] |
Major wins | |
Frizette Stakes (1986) Rare Perfume Stakes (1987) Beldame Stakes (1987, 1988) Shuvee Handicap (1988) Hempstead Handicap (1988) Molly Pitcher Handicap (1988) Whitney Handicap (1988) Maskette Handicap (1988) Breeders' Cup wins: Breeders' Cup Distaff (1988) | |
Awards | |
American Champion Older Female Horse (1988) Kentucky Broodmare of the Year (1996) | |
Honours | |
U.S. Racing Hall of Fame (1993) #48 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century Personal Ensign Handicap at Saratoga Race Course |
Personal Ensign (April 27, 1984 – April 8, 2010) was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse who retired undefeated with 13 wins. At the time, this was the longest win streak for a horse at the elite level of American racing in 80 years. Her come-from-behind victory in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff over Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors is considered one of the most memorable performances of the Breeders' Cup era.
Personal Ensign showed her class early by winning the Grade I Frizette Stakes at age two, but was subsequently injured. After missing nearly a year of racing, she returned in September of her three-year-old season to win four races, including the Grade I Beldame Stakes. As a four-year-old, she won seven races, all but one of which was at the Grade I level, including a victory in the prestigious Whitney Handicap against male horses. She ended her season by repeating in the Beldame and then taking the Breeders' Cup Distaff. For this feat, she was voted the 1988 Eclipse Award as the American Champion Older Female Horse.
In retirement, Personal Ensign matched her success on the track as a broodmare, being named the 1996 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Her daughter My Flag emulated her by winning a Breeders' Cup race and producing another Breeders' Cup winner, Storm Flag Flying. Her son Our Emblem sired Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem.