Bred at the Nursery Stud by August Belmont Jr., he was a full brother to the Aqueduct Handicap and Jockey Club Gold Cup winner My Play (b c 1919). His dam Mahubah (b f 1910) won one race in her two seasons on the turf. Due to Mr. Belmont's commitment to the war effort his stud was dispersed at auction, and Man o' War was acquired by Samuel Doyle Riddle of Glen Riddle Farm for $5,000. Mrs. Belmont had originally named him "My Man o' War," to honour her soldier husband, but the first word was dropped upon registration. However, to his legions of fans he was affectionately known as "Big Red". He caused an immediate stir when he made his first racetrack appearance at Belmont, where his size and physical maturity caused some of Riddle’s friends to jokingly suggest the big colt was an older "ringer", and sporting columns soon were filled with descriptions of his fine conformation, tremendous stride and fiery demeanor.
 
Trained by Louis Feustal, he won twenty of twenty-one starts. His lone loss came in the Sanford Stakes to the aptly named Upset (ch c 1917 Whisk Broom), with many blaming the starter for a straggling start and his jockey for getting him off late and then boxed in. He almost routinely carried 130 pounds as a two year old. He was not entered for the Kentucky Derby as his owner felt the distance was too long too early in the year, but went on to win the Preakness and Belmont with ease. His racing class was undeniable - he set new American records at eight, nine, eleven, twelve and thirteen furlongs. His final race, a match against Sir Barton (ch c 1916 Star Shoot), the best four year old and winner of the previous year's triple crown, was in Canada. Mr. Riddle decided against racing him as four year old since the handicappers promised unprecedented weights. He was champion two year old colt in 1919, champion three year old colt in 1920 and Horse of the Year in 1920.
 
He went to stud, initially at the Hinata Stock Farm, then moved down the road in 1922 to Faraway Farm. Here he met his handler Will Harbut, under whose care he remained until Harbut's death, a month before his own. Probably the most famous quotes about Man o' War came from Harbut, often as some variation of: "Man o' War didn't need no excuses. He broke all the records and he broke down all the horses, so there wasn't nothing for him to do but retire. He's got everything a horse ought to have, and he's got it where a horse ought to have it. He's just de mostest hoss. Stand still, Red."
 
Said to have had limited access to mares of high quality, he nonetheless quickly established himself as a stallion of merit. His most successful son War Admiral was himself a leading sire in 1945, although a more enduring male line appears to have been generated by War Relic, through whom the Matchem sire line extends into the 21st century. Man o' War was a leading sire in 1926.
 
Beyond his accomplishments on the track and at stud, Man o’ War will be remembered for capturing the non-racing public’s attention in a way no horse had before and few have since. He was a particular favorite of U. S. Servicemen. The men of the First Cavalry Division awarded him the rank of honorary Colonel, and upon his death accorded him full military honours. The stallion received up to a hundred visitors a day at Faraway, where Harbut would proudly show him off and sing his praises.
 
Man o' War died on November 1, 1947 and was buried near his paddock at Faraway Farm. He was the first horse to be fully embalmed for burial, and lay in state in a coffin lined with Riddle’s colours. Many of racing’s most prominent figures spoke at the funeral on November 4, a lavish affair that was broadcast on nationwide radio and attended by over two thousand people. Mr. Riddle commissioned a statue for his grave, which was moved along with his remains to the Kentucky Horse Park in 1977. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1957.

© KL Jones

Man o' War and Sir Barton