National Emblem, sire of ten Gr1 winners, has died at 21
John Koster pays tribute to the former champion race horse, and successful sire, National Emblem has died. The stallion failed to recover from a severe bout of colic.
“National Emblem was a favourite of all who had the privilege of seeing him in the flesh. He is as handsome a horse you could ever see. With his liver chestnut coat always shining brightly, his abundant quality ensured he was always a picture of good health.
He did things his way, especially when people came to view him here on his farm. He would swagger through the huge wooden doors onto the parade area with an air of nobility about him. Once in the centre viewing area, he would stop, albeit only for a short time, and gaze nonchalantly into the distance. This is what we called the “look of eagles” and he did it every time. It gave us all the opportunity of seeing the splendour of this magnificent beast of a stallion. As the Irish would say – he “filled the eye”. Then off he’d strut, on his own command, with his adoring groom Pietie Brown allowing him to do just as he pleased because, after all, he was the king. He made the rules !
He had many characteristics – never, and I mean never, interrupt him whilst he was sleeping or eating. He would show his disapproval in no uncertain terms and could be quite intimidating. However, as soon as the sun set, he would happily rest his beautiful head between my arms and close his eyes for long periods of time enjoying the camaraderie. This was his gentle nature, it was his time he chose to spend with his human counterparts in what was an incredible bond between horse and man. Off he’d go then, a steady pace around his box stepping in exactly the same foot prints stopping to either look over the stable door or to graze. In winter time he loved standing under the infra red lights, enjoying the warmth on his thin quality coat. At covering time, he would stop a few meters away from the mare he was to cover and shake off the dust as if to comb his hair and set his tie before meeting a date. He was the dancer in the covering barn and earned the nick name Fred Astaire. He was gentle and kind with the girls – the real charmer.
We celebrate the privilege of having been a part of this wonderful stallions life. He has left an indelible mark upon our souls. They say the wind that blows between the ears of a horse is the wind that blows in heaven. We know he now gallops in the greenest pastures of all, with freedom and joy, his mane blowing in the wind and nostrils wide drinking the air. He stops every now and then – gazing into eternity with the look of eagles. God bless National Emblem.” – JOHN KOSTER
One of 16 Gr1 winners sired by National Assembly, National Emblem was a descendant of the great broodmare, Sister Sublime. Champions and Gr1 winners descending from Sister Sublime included Roland’s Song, Savonarola, Soul and Saintly Lady, to name but a few.
It is interesting to note that National Emblem’s sire, and dam, Title Page, won one race between them. Title Page, a half-sister to July winning champion Mazarin, produced nine other winners – but no other stakes winners.
The champion was one of three Gr1 winners produced by National Assembly from his 1991 foal crop – the others being Bold Thatch (Gilbeys Stakes) and Secretary General (Germiston November Handicap).
A R100 000 buy at the 1993 National Yearling Sale, National Emblem, bred by the Koster Bros, was the first horse that Charles Laird bought for Markus Jooste.
Charles described the champion as the best horse he has trained, despite being a horse of many quirks. Like many top racehorses, National Emblem had a decided mind of his own, and on certain days would only start training when it suited him. When travelling, National Emblem would travel alone, as he was a horse who got claustrophobic easily.
However, this certainly did not stand in his way. National Emblem was unbeaten in nine starts over sprint trips – and one can only conjecture quite what he may have achieved if National Emblem spent his career as a sprinter!
The champion never enjoyed racing on a left handed track, and failed to show his best form at Kenilworth – despite winning there once under champion jockey, Muis Roberts.
He was one of a cracking group of 3yos who included champion Special Preview, Met winner La Fabulous, star filly Shepherd’s Moon, champion 3yo Teal, and Queen’s Plate/Champion Stakes hero Counter Action.
National Emblem quickly stamped himself as a horse to follow at two, when winning three of his first four starts, including the G2 Gosforth Park Juvenile (C&G). He ended his first campaign with a luckless fourth, from a shocking draw, in the G1 Administrator’s Champion Futurity.
Following a defeat in the G2 Dingaans at three (when beaten by champion Travel North), National Emblem then reeled off four wins in a row, culimating in a gallant win over Teal in the G1 Administrator’s Classic.
However, arguably the most memorable victory of National Emblem’s sophomore career came in the G3 Jubilee Handicap, where he fought out a tussle with champion Special Preview. Giving weight to the runner up, National Emblem prevailed in a thrilling finish.
Defeats in the July and Sharp Cup ended his chances at an ARCSA award, but the colt came back better and stronger at four.
National Emblem kicked off his 4yo campaign with a win in the Skeaping Trophy, before an abortive trip to the Cape. However, the highlight of his 4yo campaign, was a win, under a big weight, in the Gr1 Administrator’s Cup, where National Emblem got the better of his old rival Teal, among others, to score by neck. He put up another cracking effort when fifth, when flying up from nowhere, to champion London News in the G1 Durban July Handicap. This was a superb run, as National Emblem was giving the up and coming London News 6 kgs, and beaten a length and a half.
National Emblem confirmed this run when beating London News in the G1 Champion Stakes, following which he was retired to stud.
This win earned National Emblem an ARCSA award as Champion Older Male.
His connections decided to return the horse to training, which proved a successful decision – even if the entire often gave the impression of having his mind on other things.
Following a fair first up effort at Kenilworth, National Emblem showed his class with an authoritive win over Queen’s Plate winner Divine Force in the G2 Keith Hepburn Stakes. Following two below par runs, National Emblem showed his true colours when thumping champion sprinters Taban and Cordocelli in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes over 1200 metres.
The merit of this performance is underlined when looking at the track records of both Taban (Champion Sprinter, 17 wins) and Cordocelli (16 wins, Gr1 Cape Flying Championship twice).
He was eventually retired, having landed 15 races and over R1.9 million in prize money. An extremely good looking horse, National Emblem was as versatile as he was courageous.
National Emblem began his stud career at Summerhill Stud, before being moved to Klawervlei, where he lived out the remainder of his life.
While not the most consistent stallion, National Emblem had the remarkable ability of regularly produced winners of the very highest level.
From 29 stakes winners that he sired, ten were Gr1 winners , ie one third of his stakes winners won at the highest level.
Like their sire, the progeny of National Emblem could be quirky, but his best runners also showed tremendous speed, class and precocity.
To date, National Emblem’s offspring have included over 50 stakes performers. His stock include such big race winners as Emblem of Liberty (Paddock Stakes), Buy And Sell (Champions Cup, 2nd July Handicap), champion sprinters Nhlavini and Rebel King, and the Gr1 winners Shea Shea, Potent Power, Carnadore, and Rip Curl.
He has two sons at stud in the form of Nacht Musiek and Rebel King. The latter has made a promising start, and is represented in Saturday’s Listed Summer Juvenile Stakes by recent winner, Letas Bonnet.
