Although Morvich had been unbeaten as a 2-year-old of 1921, he became unsound following his Kentucky Derby win at 3, leaving the leadership of the American sophomore division wide open. None of the other colts proved able to beat the others consistently, and the 3-year-old championship was pretty much a matter of opinion between Whiskaway (now considered the champion by consensus of racing historians) and Pillory, who each managed to secure two major wins. While Pillory ran fourth behind the victorious Whiskaway in the Kentucky Special, their only head-to-head meeting, he was the leading money winner in American racing in 1922. He ran unplaced in his only two starts as a 4-year-old and retired to an unsuccessful stud career.
Race record
14 starts, 4 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, US$96,904
1921:
1922:
Assessments
Ranked second among American 3-year-old males of 1922 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A chestnut horse; no further information available.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Pillory sired 30 winners (31.3%) and 1 stakes winner (1.0%) from 96 named foals.
Connections
Pillory was bred and owned by Richard T. Wilson, who also owned his sire Olambala. He was trained by Thomas J. Healy. Pillory entered stud in 1924. He was eventually sold to the U.S. Army Remount Service and was sent to Nebraska. His last registered foals were born in 1944.
Pedigree notes
Pillory is outcrossed through five generations. His sire Olambala (by the Bend Or horse Ornus) is generally considered to be the American champion older male of 1910.
Pillory is a full brother to Dimmesdale, winner of the 1922 Kingston Handicap. His dam Hester Prynne is out of the Horoscope mare Witchcraft, a half sister to stakes winner Suffrage (by Voter). Witchcraft and Suffrage were produced from the Spendthrift mare Queenston, a full sister to three-time American co-champion older male and two-time American champion sire Kingston.
Books and media
Pillory is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Pillory following the 1922 Preakness Stakes, Louis Morris up. Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: March 18, 2026
Race record
14 starts, 4 wins, 2 seconds, 3 thirds, US$96,904
1921:
- 3rd Hudson Stakes (USA, 5FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Grab Bag Handicap (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
1922:
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA, 9FD, Pimlico)
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA, 11FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Withers Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Belmont)
Assessments
Ranked second among American 3-year-old males of 1922 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A chestnut horse; no further information available.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Pillory sired 30 winners (31.3%) and 1 stakes winner (1.0%) from 96 named foals.
Connections
Pillory was bred and owned by Richard T. Wilson, who also owned his sire Olambala. He was trained by Thomas J. Healy. Pillory entered stud in 1924. He was eventually sold to the U.S. Army Remount Service and was sent to Nebraska. His last registered foals were born in 1944.
Pedigree notes
Pillory is outcrossed through five generations. His sire Olambala (by the Bend Or horse Ornus) is generally considered to be the American champion older male of 1910.
Pillory is a full brother to Dimmesdale, winner of the 1922 Kingston Handicap. His dam Hester Prynne is out of the Horoscope mare Witchcraft, a half sister to stakes winner Suffrage (by Voter). Witchcraft and Suffrage were produced from the Spendthrift mare Queenston, a full sister to three-time American co-champion older male and two-time American champion sire Kingston.
Books and media
Pillory is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- In history, the pillory was a device used for public punishments. It consisted of a frame attached to a post. Offenders' heads and hands were fastened in the frame, leaving them exposed to the abuse of spectators and passers-by.
- Pillory had no shot at the Triple Crown in 1922 as the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes were contested on the same day.
Photo credit
Pillory following the 1922 Preakness Stakes, Louis Morris up. Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: March 18, 2026