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Citation by Kathleen Jones Many fans of racing rank Citation among the all-time best; most agree he belongs on the same plane as the mighty Man o'War; some even claim he was the superior animal. But that's a debate to be handled elsewhere. Citation came to be nicknamed "Big Cy". He debuted in Maryland as a two year old, winning his first start, and went on to a 8-for-9 season. He was clearly the best juvenile in the country and earned the championship title. At three, Citation improved on his juvenile form, and finished the season by winning 19 of 20 sophomore starts. His single loss that year came in the Chesapeake Trial when he was carried wide at the top of the stretch by a tiring horse and could only manage 2nd to winner Saggy. A respectable stakes winner in his own right, Saggy is best remembered as the sire of Derby winner Carry Back. The Triple Crown was a fairly easy effort for Citation, as the only real opposition to face him was his own stablemate Coaltown, who was that year's champion sprinter. Citation made quick work of the three races; he won the Derby by 3 1/2 lengths from Coaltown; he won the Preakness by 5 1/2 lengths from Vulcan's Forge; and he won the Belmont Stakes by 8 lengths from Better Self. These three races were just a small slice of the swath he cut through American racing in 1948. When his own age group offered no more challenges, Citation stepped up to tackle the older horses. He won 19 of his 20 events that year and was named not only the best 3yo in the country, but also the best among the older runners as well, and the Horse of the Year - bar none. Osslets and tendon problems kept him from racing at age 4, and he might have been retired permanently due to this, except owner Warren Wright insisted that the colt become racing's first millionaire. So Citation returned to the track and raced until age 6. After bankrolling $1,085,760, Citation retired to stud at Calumet Farm. The odds were against him producing a runner as phenomenal as himself, but he had many good offspring. Among his best was his son FABIUS who made every effort to emulate his famous sire. Like Citation he won the Derby Trial, the Jersey Stakes and the Preakness Stakes, but was second in the Kentucky Derby, and third in the Belmont. Citation's best daughter was SILVER SPOON, champion 3yo filly of 1959. She won many California stakes including the Santa Anita Derby, and ran a valiant 5th, beaten less than 4 lengths, in the Kentucky Derby behind Tomy Lee and Sword Dancer. Silver Spoon was the last filly to even attempt the Kentucky Derby until Genuine Risk ran in 1980. Citation died at the age of 25. Pedigree:
(female family # 3) Born: 1945, Calumet Farm, Lexington, Kentucky Died: August 8, 1970, (age 25) buried in the cemetary at Calumet Farm Racing Record:
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