It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Brenda — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 21:23:18 GMT

Thank You So Much for writing such a wonderful article. It brought tears to my eyes....I love this mare. She over came so much. She is simply Amazing!!

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Rhonda — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:55:55 GMT

What spine-tingling memories Personal Ensign gave us all! Many forget that she ran after suffering a very bad injury.

To me, she was the female John Henry. All toughness, competitiveness and desire. She was truly the 'heart' in the expression "Heart of a Champion".

As with all horses, she was a regal creature. Knew she was a champion and showed it on the track and in the breeding shed.

She should have a statue somewhere to commemorate her greatness.

Rest In Peace Personal Ensign.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Mark — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 00:50:09 GMT

Nice! That race was great. To people who say running in slope doesn't matter, it does. Ask Randy Romero. He said she was having a hard time but had enough heart to win.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Nancy — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:11:53 GMT

Eric - Thank you for sharing your memories with us, I could feel your exhilariation of the race as I read it. Thank God for films, so those of us who did not witness her fighting spirit could view it now. She was great! I have printed this piece out and will place it in my copy of "Thoroughbred Champions Top 100 RaceHorses of the 20th Century".

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

kevin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:56:05 GMT

I can say that I watched the race and it is the best race I have ever watched.That day there was no doubtshe was not going to be beaten .

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Lupe Aranda — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:00:45 GMT

Awesome retelling of a most memorable race and truly champion race horse! Thank you so much for honoring her passing in such a beautiful remembrance!

-A horse lover in Texas

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Jim P — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 06:32:01 GMT

God blessed Personal Ensign and through her we were blessed.

I love the fiestiness of her personality; not accepting treats, not wanting to be touched, difficult to shoe and halter, not wanting to share her babies.

There have been so many great races; Eric touched on a few. I'll add Rags to Riches in the Belmont, Zarkava's Arc, and Yeats' 4th Gold Cup.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Kim C. — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:45:56 GMT

I was there that day and couldn't believe my eyes. She was awesome!! RIP beautiful girl !

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Mike Relva — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:06:40 GMT

I'm sad regarding PE passing. I've made several requests in the past couple years to visit her,but was turned down.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Linda in Texas — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:37:04 GMT

Eric, reading your article was like watching the race all over again. What a wonderful remembrance you described so well. If fortitude were measured, she had it all sewed up! And MonicaV how lucky for you to have witnessed her race in person and win to boot!

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

MonicaV — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:18:37 GMT

I was lucky to have been there that cold, rainy day on November 5 in '88. Everyone was anticipating that race and it was the most thrilling stretch run I have ever seen. The crowd was so loud and on their feet cheering and yelling. I will never forget it and I mourn Personal Ensign's passing as I do all of them. She was in a class of her own.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Donna S. — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:06:21 GMT

Race mare of the Century.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Heidi — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:28:53 GMT

Beautiful tribute to the great mare. She was before my time (I started watching in 1991) but I will never forget the first time I saw a video of her courageous stretch run in the '88 Distaff. Since that day, that race has been on my list of all-time greats.

As a granddaughter of Damascus, I cay lay claim to her in a very, very small way...my own beloved off-track mare is also a granddaughter of Damascus.

Rest in peace, Personal Ensign.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

steve bertrando — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 11:49:11 GMT

i remember that race well,let's hope we get to see something like that again with rachel and zenyatta.my favorite race was dr. fager winning the united nations,i begged my dad to take me.when they came to the top of the turn dr. fager lost the lead then fought back to win his only race on turf. a memory like yesterday.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Ida Lee — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 02:08:11 GMT

What a race!! It's right up there with the best ever... RIP Beautiful Girl.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Karen2 — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 01:33:29 GMT

Personal Ensign: The heart of a champion. Thanks for this fitting tribute. The racing God's have called home another beautiful soul. RIP pretty girl.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Wee — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:57:37 GMT

Wonderful story and a great tribute to a great racehorse. It was a great race and I never tire of seeing her come from behind to get to the wire.

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Louise Teater — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:06:50 GMT

DITTO

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

DBH — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:12:33 GMT

One of the best called races as well....beautiful job !

re: It's Personal - By Eric Mitchell

Cgriff — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:07:18 GMT

Beautifully remembered, beautifully written. A wonderful tribute to the legendary mare.