Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Lucky to be there — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 05:07:10 GMT

Was there for her first race as a 2 year old -- the same day as a grade one for 2 year old fillies -- with her time she would have one by 4 --- wow -- yes I cried with her last win

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Stan — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:36:01 GMT

What a great life she had. You go girl!

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Justin Gooch — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:38:02 GMT

As a 19 year-old given the opportunity to work at world famous Claiborne, I have many memories. But nothing compares to looking out in the paddock and seeing Personal Ensign, near retirement but still ruling the paddock. Her presence was amzing and I am honored to be able to say that I was around her and her offspring.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Judy B — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:58:14 GMT

Beautiful story about one of racing's greatest champions. Rarely mentioned is that Personal Ensign was handicapped, running with 5 screws in her ankle for most of her career

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Bob C — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:37:17 GMT

I have watched Thoroughbred racing since Sherluck spoiled Carry Back's bid for a Triple Crown in the 1961 Belmont Stakes. Thousands of races later I can honestly say that Personal Ensign's 1988 Breeders Cup Distaff victory was the best race I have ever seen.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Susan — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:02:45 GMT

What was so remarkable about Personal Ensign in addition to her perfect race record, was her produce record. So many racemares don't go on and have offspring anything like themselves. You wish it, you hope it, but it doesn't happen very often. She was one of the greats and she will never be fogotten.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

wildblueroan — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:38:44 GMT

Personal Ensign was my all-time favorite race horse and a photo of her at the wire in the B.C. hangs in my office for inspiration. I've always thought there should be a P.E. "Courage in Racing Award" to honor those horses and people who overcome adversity (in her case, a metal ankle and a sloppy track) by sheer willpower. Racing is too focused on money. We should also recognize courage and heart, which is really what winning is all about.

The queen is dead, long live the queen-Zenyatta.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Peggy — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:16:30 GMT

Anyone know where Miner's Mark is now? Or even where one can get his offspring? I'm curently schooling an older gelding by him who is wonderful so am very interested in finding more.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

OLD TIMER — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 12:42:43 GMT

I was at Churchill Downs for Breeder's Cup 1988 and had bet Personal Ensign despite her short odds. I just could not bet against an undefeated horse and had to root for her. I did not have a great location and could only see a part of the race (around the eighth pole -- it was back in the pre-jumbo-tron days). I recall well seeing Winning Colors with what seemed a comfortable lead. I almost tossed my ticket. Then hearing the announcer with "here comes Personal Ensign" it still seemed like she'd never make up that ground. Not until later did I see the full race but what a race it was!

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Rachel — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 11:02:30 GMT

I'm like Tiznowbaby, an unabashed Winning Colors fan who remembers that stretch run like it was yesterday and who could deny PE her greatness?

...and at the end of that thriller, there were no bloggers bashing one against the other, not one word against owners or trainers...just deep admiration for 2 great horses...

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Sue — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 07:00:29 GMT

I was in tears when I heard about Personal Ensign's passing. You will always live in my heart, Personal Ensign.

I loved everything about Personal Ensign--her fiestiness, her grace, her amazing accomplishments, and just for being her. I always thought I would go visit her (and Genuine Risk) some day, but, like many people, that "some day" never arrived.

With your passing, Personal Ensign, I am reminded that we cannot live our lives in a "some day" fashion if we are to live fulfilled lives. I will honor you, Personal Ensign, by making a list of everything I really want to do and make each one happen.

Thank you, Personal Ensign, for gracing our lives with your extraordinary life.

RIP, great girl, and run with the angels!

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Dale H — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:05:47 GMT

The first Breeders' Cup I attended was 1988 and have always counted myself as fortunate to have witnessed in person that epic Distaff. Eight years ago a friend and I got permission to visit Personal Ensign at Claiborne. She stood there quietly and tolerated me as I took a bunch of pictures and patted her a few times. It was one of those moments. She'll be missed and always remembered.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

April — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 01:58:38 GMT

Personal Ensign. What a racehorse! What a broodmare! Are they made like her anymore?

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

TCFever — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:27:29 GMT

Anyone who loved PERSONAL ENSIGN will want to know about this rare find that I just discovered and ordered from HORSERACINGDVD.COM:

horseracingdvd.com/index.php

It is a 6+ hour video/dvd time capsule of PERSONAL ENSIGN showing all 13 CAREER RACES of PERSONAL ENSIGN. I have never seen her in all 13 lifetime starts so I will be eagerly awaiting my order and to have this instant collector's item in my collection of racing legends.

Long live PERSONAL ENSIGN!!

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

mary — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:46:18 GMT

A great mare with a huge heart and what a producer! Amazing life! Always loved her!

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

giselle — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:32:39 GMT

Im heartbroken.I was just thinking of her a few weeks back just out of the blue.I looked up her last race on youtube that day trying to recapture the overwhelming emotions I felt in those moments to the wire.I was a child back then and have witnessed many great races in my time,but PE is one of my most memorable.This year my dream of attending the Kentucky Derby is coming true.I had planned to also visit the great horses of my era,sadly I came to find most had passed on.I was elated to know PE was alive and well,so I thought I would stop by Claiborne to visit one of my childhood heroes,Im 3 wks too late.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

ANOTHER BID — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:15:27 GMT

I still get chills watching that race. RIP PE

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

quarterhossgal — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:35:41 GMT

I was lucky enough to see Personal Ensign beat Winning Colors on that cold damp day in Louisville. The crowd could not believe the last few strides of the race, Winning Colors looked like the winner until the last couple of strides.

What a great mare! She was fortunate enough to be owned by experienced horsemen, so she had a great life which she so well deserved. The great ones don't come along very often. Zenyatta like Personal Ensign has dedicated owners that provide the best for their horses, their well being comes first. I wish I felt the same for the great filly RA, she is a champion and I pray that her owner will treat her as one.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Destin Heath — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:32:11 GMT

I remember talking with Wayne Lukas about some of his most memorable races he even ran in, and the first one that came out of his mouth was the race where Winning Colors lost to Personal Ensign. He had such a great amount of respect when talking to me about her. He said she was one of the greatest mares of all time, and with that being said from the King of fillies it just amplifies her greatness. After he told me about this, I decided to go home and watch the race( I had never seen it until then, since I was born in 1988) I have never seen such a spine tingling race. That is the definition of the will to win.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Marilyn — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:36:24 GMT

RIP Personal Ensign. Horse racing has lost one of it's greatest champions. Now you have no one chasing you anymore, run free beautiful, with the other great ones, and THANK YOU for sharing your greatness with us mere mortals.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

dispute — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:45:15 GMT

I was in tears reading your well written article and all the sentimental comments that followed in regards to one of the greatest racehorses of all time. She will always be a personal favorite and your article did her justice. When visiting Claiborne years ago, Easy Goer was still alive at that time, one caregiver told us when asked about Personal Ensign, that she was the main mare when around her counterparts. When she brought her foal to the drinking trough, the others would scatter. Which seemed fitting,as they did the same,on the racetrack.

As for her last foal, Baronial is his name and raced yesterday on the dirt in a sprint at Mountaineer Park. He is by Kingmambo and the grass suits him better as would more distance. The new owners, Cardinal Racing, are racing primarily at Mountaineer Park. They have had him since he left Shug's care. When he ran here at Saratoga he won, he also was asked to run a 1 1/2 in his last race for the Phipps family. He isn't large in stature but has heart as he was 4th with a horrible trip. Next we know he was for sale on the internet. Surely not anything Mr.Phipps would be proud to see of an offspring from his favorite mare. I wish Baronial or Barney as they use to call him, well and hope that nothing happens to him in this cruel race world where horse slaughter exists. He deserves better if not for his own accomplishments but in her honor.

RIP Personal Ensign you will be missed!

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Beverly — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:07:15 GMT

I'm am saddened at the passing of one of the greatest racehorses of all times. Her strength, courage and determination made her a mare for the ages. Thank you to the Phipps family for sharing her with the world. Many tears will be shed at your passing but you will always be in our hearts. Rest well Personal Ensign......

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Cyd — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:29:13 GMT

Zenyatta and Rachel are grand racing mares but neither are great as Personal Ensign.

Until they go to the breeding shed and produce grade 1 winners also. Very few really good mare reproduce on the scale that they raced, Personal Ensign did.

That is why she is great and the other two are just grand race horses.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

gammyp6 — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 06:12:17 GMT

I am so choked up right now. Only God can create such beauty and grace. Watching her BC is like seeing it for the first time. And yes I also believe her passing away on the day of the Apple Blossom was part of a divine plan we humans don't really understand. I don't need to understand. Rest in peace sweet mare and God Bless Zenyatta.

re: Personal Memories of Personal Ensign

Laura P — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 05:28:21 GMT

Personal Ensign: all class and all heart. She simply refused to lose. May she always frolic in green pastures!