Private Emblem

Private Emblem in 2003 © Deborah Tracy-Kral

Private Emblem wasn't a superstar, or even a star for that matter. He was never a champion and never even won a grade one race. He was simply a good, hard knocking, honest racehorse.

A foal of 1999 and a $35,000 Keeneland September yearling, Private Emblem's sire was Our Emblem, the well bred stallion propsect who made noise with having Private Emblem and War Emblem in the same crop. Private Emblem was a New York bred out of the Halo mare Merion Miss, and owned by James Cassels and Bob Zollars. As a racehorse, he was as honest as they come.

As a two year old, Private Emblem was second in the Sleepy Hallow Stakes and third in the Sam Houston Texan Juvenile. It wasn't until he turned three that the dark bay colt with the big white blaze started to turn heads. He won the Black Gold Handicap on the turf in early January, and followed that up with a win in the Southwest Stakes, and then surprised many with a win in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II), placing him squarely on the map for the Kentucky Derby. Although he did not hit the board in the Kentucky Derby, Private Emblem went on to finish second in the New York Derby and then won the Albany Handicap.

After winning an allowance in the winter of 2003, Private Emblem went winless in eight starts before breaking his streak with a win in the Essex Handicap (gr. III). It would be his last win.

On May 2nd, Private Emblem went to the post for the King's Point Handicap at Aqueduct. Nearing the wire, the five year old broke down, shattering both sesamoid bones in his left foreleg. Although attempts were made to save him, he was euthanized later that night.

Private Emblem died with seven wins and $783,152 in twenty four starts. His owners were quite fond of him and he will be missed. His honesty and consistency were admired by his fans.