He was foaled in Kentucky and was a bay colt sired by Bob Miles out of the mare Espanita (by Alarm).
[1] Manuel was bred by George James Long at his Louisville stud farm, Bashford Manor Stable.
[2] Long retained ownership of Manuel throughout his two-year-old season, finally selling him in October 1898 to the Morris brothers for $15,000.
[3] A few days after the Derby at Churchill Downs, Manuel injured his leg by stepping in a hole in the track which prompted his withdraw from racing for the rest of the season.
[4] Manuel was sold to Frank Morel (through his agent J. Baker) as a four-year-old in October 1900 for $500 at the Morris Park sale.