Old Friends Farm Fundraiser - War Emblem

About this campaign

2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem was bred in Kentucky by Charles Nuckols, Jr. & Sons. The handsome, nearly black colt was purchased for $20,000 and won his first start at Arlington Park ridden by Alfredo Juarez, Jr. for Russell L. Reineman Stable, Inc. and trainer Frank Springer. He into Derby contention with a 6 ¼ length victory in the Illinois Derby, Larry Sterling, Jr. in the irons. Purchased by The Thoroughbred Corporation, War Emblem was thereafter trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Victor Espinoza. On Derby day 2002 the spirited colt outran the speed and put away the challengers. He scored a repeat performance in the 2002 Preakness. But a Triple Crown was not to be. War Emblem was denied the Belmont by fellow future Old Friends retiree Sarava. His final win in the prestigious Haskell Stakes (G1) resulted in earnings of $3,491,000 for 7 wins, 0 seconds and 0 thirds in 13 races. War Emblem’s entire stud career was spent at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan. He proved a shy breeder with only 118 foals in a dozen years at stud; nevertheless, his progeny include Japan’s 2012 champion juvenile filly Robe Tissage and Shuka Sho (Jpn G1) winner Black Emblem. War Emblem was retired from stud in 2015 and donated by the Yoshida family to Old Friends. Grateful thanks go to the Yoshida family, the staff of Shadai Stallion Station, Emanuel de Seroux, and the many supporters who generously enabled War Emblem’s retirement to Old Friends. Learn more here: http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/horses/war-emblem-24796.html