Man o' War

       Another one of the most famous racehorses of all time was the sire of Seabiscuits rival War Admiral, the famed Man o' War. Man o' War's career was just after WWI, he won 20 of 21 races, and his total earnings were $249,465. Man o' War was owned and bred by August Belmont Jr, whose father's accomplishments led to the naming of the Belmont Stakes. Belmont Jr served in France during WWI, and while he was away the foal was born. His wife named the foal Man o' War in honor of her husband being away at war. When he returned, they sold the foal at auction for $5000 to Samuel D. Riddle. In his first race, he made an impressive start, winning by 6 lengths.
       His only loss can be blamed on the fact that in the early 1900's, there were no starting gates. The horses would all circle behind a piece of webbing, and would take off when it was raised. At the Sanford Memorial Stakes, Man o War was circling back when the piece of webbing was raised, so by the time he was turned around to take off, he was already far behind the rest. Despite this however, and being boxed in, Man o' War came in second, losing by only 1/2 a length.
       Man o' War as a two year old carried 130 pounds in his races, more than colts at that age-or any age-often carry. As a three year old, he carried as much as 138 pounds, more than most of the horses he was racing against by 32 pounds.
       That May, Man o' War did not run in the Kentucky Derby because his owner thought a 1 1/4 miles was still to long for a young horse. At that time the Triple Crown was still not very prominent, it became a nationwide sprorting event ten years later when the media called attention to Gallant Fox. Man o' War set the records for the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1920. Sir Barton had been the first Triple Crown winner, and had originally set the records Man o' War was now shattering.
       By the end of the year, no one wanted to go up against Man o' War, who was easily winning every race he entered in thus far, besides his loss due to the lack of starting gates. In the Lawrence Realization Stakes, no one wanted to go up against him, until Sarah Jeffords-Riddle's niece-entered her horse Hoodwink. Man o' War won by an astounding 100 lengths, and set a world record, beating the previous record by 6 seconds. This record still stands today as a track record for 1 5/8 miles.

       Man o' War's most famous race was a match race in Ontario, Canada, against the first-ever Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton. This was the first race that had ever been filmed in it's entirety. Man o' War showed incredible superiority to his competitor, slowing to win the 1 1/4 mile race by seven lengths. In his career of 21 starts he won 20, set three world records, two American records, and three track records.
       Man o' War was a huge horse early in horse racing, just as the sport was beginning to become popular. In a sense he kicked off horse racing, he was the first horse the nation actually was showing interest in, and got many people interested in the sport. In 1957, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. In the Blood Horse magazine ranking of the top 100 U.S. Thoroughbred champions of the 20th century, Man o' War was ranked number one. This horse is in a sense what gave horse racing it's launch in terms of popularity in the U.S., making it a sport the nation could become involved in and appreciate.