NEWS
Daisy Phipps-Pulito
Posted: Thursday, June 24, 2010 11:40 AM
DAISY PHIPPS-PULITO
Jockey Club photo
Phipps Stable
Daisy Phipps-Pulito has followed her family’s cherry-and-black silks in major races throughout her life, but the triumphs of one distinctly memorable mare stand above the rest.
Phipps-Pulito was 15 when Personal Ensign soared through her four-year-old season with six Grade 1 victories, including a victory over males in the Whitney Handicap (G1) and a riveting career climax in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) by a desperate nose over Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Winning Colors.
Phipps-Pulito admired Personal Ensign with the benefit of perspective from trainer Shug McGaughey and her grandfather, Ogden Phipps, who had been involved in Thoroughbred racing for more than 50 years. Personal Ensign was one of nine champions Phipps bred and raced before he died in 2002 at age 93.
“I remember Shug and my grandfather talking about her all the time, about what a good horse she was,” Phipps-Pulito said. “When she ran in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, she was going for my grandfather’s first Breeders’ Cup [win] and Shug’s first Breeders’ Cup [win], and we wanted to retire her undefeated, so it was a big thing.”
Phipps-Pulito inherited the family’s racing passion, and she now works with her father, Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps, in managing the Phipps racing stable and 30 broodmares at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
“I talk with Shug a lot on the phone,” she said. “When my dad was sick last year, I was a lot more hands-on than I am right now—I’ve got a four-week-old baby.”
Date of birth: April 16, 1973
Birthplace: Miami
Residence: Lexington
Title: Racing manager
Company: Phipps Stable
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Pine Manor College
Family: Married, one child
Career: Served in a variety of television production capacities through the years with CBS Sports, The Golf Channel, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association/Breeders’ Cup
Background in Thoroughbred industry: “Through my family, I have had lifelong exposure to the sport and active involvement in it.”
What book are you currently reading? The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, by Stieg Larsson
Last movie you saw at the theater: Get Him to the Greek
Biggest professional achievement: “Being part of the television production team for two Masters [Golf Tournament] telecasts from Augusta, Georgia, two [Professional Golfers’ Association] Championships, and two U.S. Open tennis telecasts.”
Biggest personal achievement: “The birth of my son.”
Outside interests: Travel, fishing, golf
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