2002 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem dies at age 21

War Emblem – who raced three times at Fair Grounds in the winter of 2001-02 before winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness – died Wednesday at age 21.

Old Friends Farm, a Thoroughbred retirement facility where War Emblem has been stabled since 2015, provided the news Wednesday.

We are heartbroken & devastated to share the death of WAR EMBLEM in his paddock this morning. A necropsy is pending. The 2002 @KentuckyDerby & @PreaknessStakes winner arrived at Old Friends from Japan in Oct 2015 & celebrated his 21st birthday on Feb 20. Photo @battles_laura 1/ pic.twitter.com/TO0GC9BZGb

— Old Friends (@Oldfriendsfarm) March 11, 2020

War Emblem won a first-level allowance for 2-year-olds on Nov. 23, 2001 at Fair Grounds, but in stepping up to local stakes company, he finished fifth in the Lecomte Stakes and sixth in the Risen Star Stakes.

Owner Russell Reineman and trainer Frank Springer shipped War Emblem to Chicago, where he flourished. He won a second-level allowance, then dominated to the tune of a 6¼-length triumph in the Grade II Illinois Derby to earn his spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May.

The Thoroughbred Corporation purchased War Emblem from Reineman and transferred the colt to the barn of Bob Baffert prior to the Derby. Dismissed at odds of better than 20-1, War Emblem led from gate to wire in winning the Derby by four lengths over Proud Citizen.

Two weeks later, War Emblem captured the Preakness, but finished eighth in the Belmont in his attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner in 24 years. He would make three more starts as a 3-year-old, including a win in the Haskell Invitational, before being retired with career earnings of nearly $3.5 million and seven wins from 13 starts.

War Emblem spent most of his breeding career in Japan before being retired to Old Friends in 2015.