A younger half sister to the dam of the champion juvenile filly and important broodmare Spinaway, Memento used an impressive victory in the first edition of the long-running Saratoga stakes race named for her famous relative to earn a championship of her own. She was a stakes winner again early in her 3-year-old season but afterward failed to show her previous form. Although she was also a full sister to 1886 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali, Memento’s excellent family did not continue through her with much success, though she did produce a juvenile stakes winner and the dam of another.
Race record
1881:
1882:
Honors
American champion 2-year-old filly (1881)
As an individual
A bay mare, Memento was described as a “graceful beauty” in newspapers of her time.
As a producer
Memento produced nine named foals. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled at Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky, Memento was bred by Daniel Swigert. As a racer, she was owned by George L. Lorillard. As a broodmare, she was owned by Mrs. George L. Lorillard and then by H. I. Thornton of Rancho Resaca, California. She later passed to the ownership of James Ben Ali Haggin and was at his Rancho del Paso, California, until he moved his operations to Elmendorf Stud, Kentucky. She was reported as barren in 1902-1905 and afterward disappears from the records.
Pedigree notes
Memento is inbred 5x5x4 to 1823 Derby Stakes winner and two-time English champion sire Emilius. She is a full sister to 1886 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali and to Ventura, second dam of 1907 Hopeful Stakes winner Jim Gaffney and 1902 Great Eastern Handicap winner Golden Maxim and third dam of 1915 Preakness Stakes winner Rhine Maiden and 1922 Carter Handicap winner Knobbie. Memento is also a half sister to Megara (by Eclipse), dam of 1880 American champion 2-year-old filly Spinaway (by Leamington) and 1892 Toronto Cup Handicap winner Fenelon (by Reform); second dam of 1895 Suburban Handicap winner Lazzarone and 1891 Tremont Stakes winner Spinalong; and third dam of two-time American champion filly Tanya (winner of the 1905 Belmont Stakes) and 1906 American co-champion filly Tangle.
Memento was produced from 1865 Saratoga Stakes winner Ulrica (out of Emilia, by Young Emilius). A half sister to stakes winner and important sire Australian (by West Australian), Ulrica is also a half sister to Cordelia (by Red Deer) dam of the good English stallion Thunderbolt (by Stockwell).
Last updated: July 3, 2026
Race record
1881:
- Won Hopeful Stakes (USA, 5FD, Monmouth)
- Won Flash Stakes (USA, 4FD, Saratoga)
- Won Spinaway Stakes (USA, 5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Autumn Stakes (USA, 6FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- 2nd Foam Stakes (USA, 5FD, Monmouth)
- 2nd Virginia Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd a match w/Hiawasse (USA, 6FD, Monmouth; 2nd of 2)
- 3rd Juvenile Stakes (USA, 4FD, Jerome Park)
- 3rd Surf Stakes (USA, 5FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- 3rd July Stakes (USA, 5FD, Monmouth)
- 3rd Saratoga Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
1882:
- Won Chesapeake Stakes (USA, 10FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd West End Hotel Stakes (USA, 12FD, Monmouth)
Honors
American champion 2-year-old filly (1881)
As an individual
A bay mare, Memento was described as a “graceful beauty” in newspapers of her time.
As a producer
Memento produced nine named foals. Her important foals are as follow:
- Remembrance (1886, by Sensation) produced juvenile stakes winner Ashes (by Tremont).
- Artvis (1900, by Golden Garter) won the 1902 Tremont Stakes.
Connections
Foaled at Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky, Memento was bred by Daniel Swigert. As a racer, she was owned by George L. Lorillard. As a broodmare, she was owned by Mrs. George L. Lorillard and then by H. I. Thornton of Rancho Resaca, California. She later passed to the ownership of James Ben Ali Haggin and was at his Rancho del Paso, California, until he moved his operations to Elmendorf Stud, Kentucky. She was reported as barren in 1902-1905 and afterward disappears from the records.
Pedigree notes
Memento is inbred 5x5x4 to 1823 Derby Stakes winner and two-time English champion sire Emilius. She is a full sister to 1886 Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali and to Ventura, second dam of 1907 Hopeful Stakes winner Jim Gaffney and 1902 Great Eastern Handicap winner Golden Maxim and third dam of 1915 Preakness Stakes winner Rhine Maiden and 1922 Carter Handicap winner Knobbie. Memento is also a half sister to Megara (by Eclipse), dam of 1880 American champion 2-year-old filly Spinaway (by Leamington) and 1892 Toronto Cup Handicap winner Fenelon (by Reform); second dam of 1895 Suburban Handicap winner Lazzarone and 1891 Tremont Stakes winner Spinalong; and third dam of two-time American champion filly Tanya (winner of the 1905 Belmont Stakes) and 1906 American co-champion filly Tangle.
Memento was produced from 1865 Saratoga Stakes winner Ulrica (out of Emilia, by Young Emilius). A half sister to stakes winner and important sire Australian (by West Australian), Ulrica is also a half sister to Cordelia (by Red Deer) dam of the good English stallion Thunderbolt (by Stockwell).
Last updated: July 3, 2026