Willful and independent, Personal Ensign simply refused to be beaten. Her defining moment came in her final start -- a race considered one of the greatest in the sport's history. She faced off against Kentucky Derby-winning filly Winning Colors in the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff and appeared hopelessly beaten until the last stride. But Personal Ensign nosed out her rival to become the first major American Thoroughbred since Colin 80 years earlier to retire undefeated. In Personal Ensign, Bill Heller brings this gallant filly and her amazing career to life.

Q: Why did you decide to write about Personal Ensign?

A: Personal Ensign was not just an exceptionally talented filly, but one with great character and determination. Her will not only carried her to victory in every start, but also allowed her to return to racing after an injury which would have ended the career of just about any Thoroughbred, male or female. And, of course, there was her defining moment in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, a race many, including myself, call the greatest in Breeders’ Cup history. With her undefeated career on the line in her final start, while competing on a racetrack she obviously was not handling well, and chasing the Kentucky Derby winner who had been loose on the lead, Personal Ensign found a way to get her nose up in the final stride. Anyone who saw that performance was mesmerized. Think about it. In the final yards of her final race, she cemented a perfect career.


Q: Where do you think Personal Ensign ranks with racing’s greatest fillies?

A: Comparisons of horses from different eras are purely subjective. That being said, it is hard to imagine too many fillies ranking above Personal Ensign. “Undefeated” is a unique accomplishment on any horse’s resume. It means overcoming poor racing luck or poor trips or days when you were not at your best. To be fair to Ruffian, she, too, was undefeated before her tragic match race with 1975 Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure. I don’t think anyone would argue that Ruffian was the fastest filly of the last 30 years. But no filly or mare ever overcame a potential career-ending injury to continue and complete a perfect record as Personal Ensign did. Just as Secretariat’s defining moment came in the 1973 Belmont Stakes — when his 31-length, world record victory stamped his greatness for all time — Personal Ensign’s defining moment was the final sixteenth of a mile in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff against Winning Colors. Getting up in time to win the final race of her career ensured Personal Ensign’s greatness would also be remembered forever.


Q: What made Personal Ensign’s undefeated status such a special accomplishment?

A: An undefeated career is a monumental, rarely seen accomplishment for any Thoroughbred. What made Personal Ensign’s unblemished record even more significant was that she was seriously injured as a two-year-old after just the second start of her career. She had only suggested that she may be a top filly. She returned from that injury and proved it the following two years against the best fillies and mares in racing, and against colts in the Whitney Handicap.


Q: Is there a facet of Personal Ensign’s life you found fascinating or unique?

A: Absolutely. Her success as a broodmare has been phenomenal. Visiting her at Claiborne Farm and talking to the people who are with her every day revealed that she had carried her determination and courage with her after she stopped racing.


Q: Of the persons connected to Personal Ensign, whom did you find the most interesting?

A: Shug McGaughey. I was surprised to learn that Shug’s family had no connections to racing at all, and yet he developed this tremendous passion for the game. It’s always fascinating to learn more about truly great horsemen, and Shug is all of that. Getting the opportunity to do in-depth interviews with him allowed me to understand the training tenets he believes in, the reasons he does things certain ways and his unerring love of horses. He, as well as his assistant Buzz Tenney, were a pleasure to work with doing this book.