Jay Em Ess Stable

Jay Em Ess Stables, which was the leading owner at both the 2007 spring/summer meet at Hollywood Park and at the 2009 Del Mar meet, was created from the first letter of the three owners’ first names, Jan and Mace Siegel and their daughter Samantha. Jan died in 2002, and Mace passed away nine years later, leaving 49-year-old Samantha to head the stables. Jay Em Ess purchased its first horse at the 1964 Timonium Sale and named their filly Najecam, the backward spelling of Mace and Jan. Mace, a racing fan growing up in New York and New Jersey, met Jan on a blind date at Aqueduct in 1962. They married two months later. Mace founded Santa Monica-based Macerich Co., which develops, owns and manages regional shopping malls. He was a founding member and vice-president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. Jan was a big band singer and named her daughter for her favorite Cole Porter song, “I Love You, Samantha.” Samantha served with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association and the Gregson Foundation Board. She and her dad were honored by the Gregson Foundation in 2008. Jay Em Ess’ top horses include the 2004 champion two-year-old colt Declan’s Moon, millionaire Urbane and Rail Trip. The stable now has 80 horses in Kentucky and California.