Manuel was only modestly successful as a racehorse, but he was much the best in the 1899 Kentucky Derby. He faced only four rivals of suspect quality and never won another stakes event after his Derby triumph. He died as a 4-year-old without having been used at stud.
Race record
21 starts, 4 wins,5 seconds, 4 thirds, US$9,740
1898:
1899:
As an individual
A long-striding bay colt with a well-laid shoulder, Manuel was equally at home on fast or off going. He suffered what was described as a “sprain” while in training for the 1899 Clark Stakes (reportedly after stepping into a hole on the track) and did not race again.
Connections
Manuel was bred and owned by George J. Long. Following the colt's 2-year-old season, Long sold him to A. H. Morris and D. H. Morris for US$15,000. Manuel was trained at 2 by John Morris and was trained to his Kentucky Derby victory by Robert J. Walden. He died in October 1900, shortly after being sold for US$500 to J. Baker, who was acting as agent for Frank Morel.
Pedigree notes
Manuel's pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. He was sired by 1885 Saratoga Cup winner Bob Miles (by Pat Malloy, by Lexington). His dam Espanita did not produce anything else of significance but is a full sister to Espanola, second dam of 1916 Kentucky Oaks winner and American champion 3-year-old filly Kathleen and third dam of 1928 Clark Handicap winner Jock.
Espanita was produced from Outstep, a daughter of the Enquirer horse Blue Eyes. The next dam in the tail-female lineage, Etna, was sired by King Alfonso from the Bonnie Scotland mare Elsie, whose dam La Grand Duchesse is also the ancestress of 1895 Kentucky Derby winner Halma.
Fun facts
Race record
21 starts, 4 wins,5 seconds, 4 thirds, US$9,740
1898:
- Won Prospect Stakes (USA, 6FD, Gravesend)
- 2nd White Plains Handicap (USA, 6FD, Morris Park)
- 2nd Turf Stakes (USA)
- 3rd Champagne Stakes (USA, 7FD, Morris Park)
- 3rd Algeria Stakes (USA, 5FD, Gravesend)
- 3rd Wenonah Stakes (USA, 4.5FD, Churchill Downs)
1899:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Montgomery Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Memphis)
As an individual
A long-striding bay colt with a well-laid shoulder, Manuel was equally at home on fast or off going. He suffered what was described as a “sprain” while in training for the 1899 Clark Stakes (reportedly after stepping into a hole on the track) and did not race again.
Connections
Manuel was bred and owned by George J. Long. Following the colt's 2-year-old season, Long sold him to A. H. Morris and D. H. Morris for US$15,000. Manuel was trained at 2 by John Morris and was trained to his Kentucky Derby victory by Robert J. Walden. He died in October 1900, shortly after being sold for US$500 to J. Baker, who was acting as agent for Frank Morel.
Pedigree notes
Manuel's pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. He was sired by 1885 Saratoga Cup winner Bob Miles (by Pat Malloy, by Lexington). His dam Espanita did not produce anything else of significance but is a full sister to Espanola, second dam of 1916 Kentucky Oaks winner and American champion 3-year-old filly Kathleen and third dam of 1928 Clark Handicap winner Jock.
Espanita was produced from Outstep, a daughter of the Enquirer horse Blue Eyes. The next dam in the tail-female lineage, Etna, was sired by King Alfonso from the Bonnie Scotland mare Elsie, whose dam La Grand Duchesse is also the ancestress of 1895 Kentucky Derby winner Halma.
Fun facts
- Manuel was the last horse descended in direct male line from 16-time American champion sire Lexington to win the Kentucky Derby.
- Manuel nearly took himself out of the Derby in his last prep race as he bolted, went over the rail, and injured his stifle. He was originally thought to be severely injured but made a rapid recovery.
- During his pre-Derby training, Manuel twice worked the full Derby distance faster than he actually ran it on race day.
- Manuel's Kentucky Derby was darkened by the suicide of Churchill Downs founder M. Lewis Clark, who had inaugurated the Kentucky Derby 25 years earlier. Colonel Clark's suicide, which took place less than two weeks before the race, was attributed to health and financial difficulties.