Emperor of Norfolk
| Emperor of Norfolk | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Norfolk |
| Grandsire | Lexington |
| Dam | Marian |
| Damsire | Malcolm |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1885 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Theodore Winters |
| Owner | "Lucky" Baldwin |
| Trainer |
John W. McClelland Robert W. Thomas |
| Record | 29: 21-2–4 |
| Earnings | $79,290 |
| Major wins | |
|
Kentucky Stakes (1887) American Derby (1888) Brooklyn Derby (1888) Swift Stakes (1888) |
|
| Honours | |
| United States Racing Hall of Fame (1988) | |
| Last updated on January 4, 2008 | |
Emperor of Norfolk (1885–1907) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse. Because he was big, with huge hindquarters, and had a strong racing record, he was called the "California Wonder."
In the 1870s, when Joseph Cairn Simpson (founder of California's first all-sports newspaper, Breeder and Sportsman) migrated west, he brought horses with him. One was the filly Marian. To finance his newspaper, he sold Marian to Theodore Winters, who owned California's best stallion, Norfolk, by America's greatest sire, Lexington. Norfolk retired undefeated. Winters bought him for $15,001, one dollar more than the amount paid for Lexington himself.
With the purchase of Marian, Winters now owned a top stallion and a top broodmare. Marian, mated to Norfolk, both living at either Winters' second stud farm, the Rancho Del Rio near Sacramento on the banks of the Sacramento River or on his Yolo County, California, spread, produced numerous outstanding runners: Duchess of Norfolk, Prince of Norfolk, The Czar, El Rio Rey, Rey Del Rey, and Emperor of Norfolk. (After Norfolk retired, Marian produced another star: Yo Tambien, by turf champion Joe Hooker.)
It is generally agreed that Emperor of Norfolk was the most important horse born in California until Swaps came along 67 years later.
Winters sold Marian's yearling foal to "Lucky" Baldwin for $2,525. Baldwin raced the colt 18 times at the age of two, which was a normal schedule for the time. During one eight-day span, Emperor of Norfolk won three races in Chicago, Illinois. At Saratoga, New York, in August, he won four more races. Then he went to Jerome Park Racetrack, where he took two races in four days. He also placed in the Prospect Cap and came third in the Quickstep Stakes.
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