Empery
| Empery | |
|---|---|
 Racing silks of Nelson Bunker Hunt | |
| Sire | Vaguely Noble |
| Grandsire | Vienna |
| Dam | Pamplona |
| Damsire | Postin |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1973 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Nelson Bunker Hunt |
| Owner | Nelson Bunker Hunt |
| Trainer | Maurice Zilber |
| Record | 8: 2-2-1 |
| Major wins | |
| Epsom Derby (1976) | |
| Awards | |
| Timeform rating 128 | |
Empery (foaled 1973 in Kentucky) was an American-bred, French-trained racehorse best known for winning the 1976 Epsom Derby.[1] In a racing career which lasted from September 1975 until July 1976 he ran eight times and won two races. Empery showed some good form in France to be placed third in the Prix Lupin but appeared to be some way below the best colts in his own country. He comfortably defeated the best of the British colts in the Derby to give his jockey Lester Piggott a seventh win in the race. Empery finished second in his only subsequent start and was retired to a stud career of limited success.
Background
Empery was a bay horse bred in Kentucky by his owner the Texas oil company executive Nelson Bunker Hunt. Empery's sire was Vaguely Noble, the winner of the 1968 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe who also sired Hunt's great racing mare, Dahlia. His grandsire Vienna was owned and raced by Sir Winston Churchill. Empery's dam Peruvian Triple Crown racemare Pamplona II,[2] who had previously produced the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Pampered Miss. Hunt sent the colt to be trained in France by Maurice Zilber.
Racing career
Empery made his racecourse debut in September 1975 when he won a
On his three-year-old debut, Empery finished fourth behind Red Lord in the
In the Irish Derby at the Curragh a month later, Empery started 5/4 favourite but finished second, beaten two and a half lengths by another French colt, the François Boutin-trained Malacate.[7] He was then aimed at the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York in August,[8] but missed the race after sustaining an injury on the eve of the race. In autumn, Empery was sent to the United States to contest the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park. He did not thrive in quarantine however, reportedly losing fifty pounds in three days[9] and failed to recover in time for the race. He was then retired to stud.
Assessment and honours
The independent Timeform organisation gave Empery a rating of 128.[10]
In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Empery a "poor" winner of the Derby.[11]
Stud record
After his Derby win, Empery was syndicated jointly with Youth, with investors paying $300,000 for a share in both horses.
Pedigree
| Sire Vaguely Noble |
Vienna | Aureole | Hyperion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelola | |||
| Turkish Blood | Turkhan | ||
| Rusk | |||
| Noble Lassie | Nearco | Pharos | |
| Nogara | |||
| Belle Sauvage | Big Game | ||
| Tropical Sun | |||
| Dam Pamplona |
Postin | Hunter's Moon | Hurry On |
| Selene | |||
| Quinta | Codihue | ||
| En Guardia | |||
| Society's Way | Kingsway | Fairway | |
| Yenna | |||
| Society's Vote | Wyndham | ||
| Converation Piece (Family: 2-s) |
References
- ^ Michael Katz (1976-06-03). "Empery Wins Epsom". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ISBN 978-0-7146-5356-3.
- ^ ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
- ^ "U.S. owned Empery wins Epsom under Piggott". Spokesman-Review. 3 June 1976. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ^ "Record for Piggott". Montreal Gazette. 3 June 1976. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ISBN 0-85112-902-1.
- ^ "Malacate takes Irish Sweeps Derby". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 27 June 1976. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ^ "Bank on Trepan". Evening Times. 16 August 1976. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ^ G. F. T. Ryall (October 25, 1976). "The Race Track: Man o' War Surprises". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2012-08-22.
- ISBN 0-900599-40-5.
- ISBN 1-901570-15-0.
- ^ "Empery pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-22.