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Empery (foaled 1973 in Kentucky) was an American-bred, French-trained racehorse best known for winning the 1976 Epsom Derby. In a racing career which lasted from September 1975 until July 1976 he ran eight times and won two races. Empery showed some good form in France to be placed third in the Prix Lupin but appeared to be some way below the best colts in his own country. He comfortably defeated the best of the British colts in the Derby to give his jockey Lester Piggott a seventh win in the race. Empery finished second in his only subsequent start and was retired to a stud career of limited success.
On his three-year-old debut, Empery finished fourth behind Red Lord in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and then ran poorly when unplaced in the Prix Daphnis. He then produced his best performance to date when finishing third to his stable companion Youth (also owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt) and Arctic Tern in the Group One Prix Lupin at Longchamp. He was then sent to England to contest the Derby, with Lester Piggott who had ridden six previous winners of the race being engaged to ride the colt at Epsom. On 2 June 1976, Empery started at odds of Fractional odds for the Derby against twenty-two opponents, with the 2000 Guineas winner Wollow starting 11/10 favourite. Nelson Bunker Hunt was not in attendance for the race, the most valuable ever run in Britain, as he was celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary at home in Dallas. In the early stages of the race, Piggott restrained Empery, before moving up into fourth place at Tattenham Corner. In the straight, Empery made steady progress on the outside to take the lead from Relkino a furlong from the finish. Once in front, he quickly drew clear of the field to win by three lengths. Piggott's seventh win in the race enabled him to surpass the previous record of six, which he had jointly held alongside Jem Robinson and Steve Donoghue. (1990). 9780851129020, Guinness Publishing. ISBN 9780851129020
In the Irish Derby at the Curragh a month later, Empery started 5/4 favourite but finished second, beaten two and a half lengths by another French colt, the François Boutin-trained Malacate. He was then aimed at the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York Racecourse in August, but missed the race after sustaining an injury on the eve of the race. In autumn, Empery was sent to the United States to contest the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park. He did not thrive in quarantine however, reportedly losing fifty pounds in three days and failed to recover in time for the race. He was then retired to stud.
In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Empery a "poor" winner of the Derby. (1999). 9781901570151, Portway Press. ISBN 9781901570151
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