Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Samuel D. Riddle
1861 - 1951
Photographed By Ken Smith, July 12, 2012
1. Samuel D. Riddle Marker
Inscription.
Samuel D. Riddle. "Lots of men might have a million dollars, but only one man can have Man o' war," said Will Harbut, the faithful groom of the great stallion. The one man who had Man o' War was Samuel D. Riddle, who once handed back the check of a wealthy Texan who had urged him to name his price for the horse. Riddle had purchased Man o' War as a yearling for $5,000 and raced him to legendary status. "Big Red" won 20 of 21 races in 1919 and 1920 and thereafter stood at stud for many years at Faraway farm outside Lexington. He was such a public idol that after his death at the age of 30, his funeral was broadcast nationally on radio. Owner Riddle, a dashing sportsman of the Pennsylvania hunt fields, ran the Glen Riddle textile company founded by his grandfather. He later bred and raced Man o' War's best son, Triple Crown winner War Admiral. , Man o' War had been offered for sale by his breeder, August Belmont II, because of Belmont's acceptance at 65 of a commission to go abroad as part of the World War I effort. Belmont left another mark on American culture as chief financier of the original New York subway system.
"Lots of men might have a million dollars, but only one man can have Man o' war," said Will Harbut, the faithful groom of the great stallion. The one man who had Man o' War was Samuel D. Riddle, who once handed back the check of a wealthy Texan who had urged him to name his price for the horse. Riddle had purchased Man o' War as a yearling for $5,000 and raced him to legendary status. "Big Red" won 20 of 21 races in 1919 and 1920 and thereafter stood at stud for many years at Faraway farm outside Lexington. He was such a public idol that after his death at the age of 30, his funeral was broadcast nationally on radio. Owner Riddle, a dashing sportsman of the Pennsylvania hunt fields, ran the Glen Riddle textile company founded by his grandfather. He later bred and raced Man o' War's best son, Triple Crown winner War Admiral.
Man o' War had been offered for sale by his breeder, August Belmont II, because of Belmont's acceptance at 65 of a commission to go abroad as part of the World War I effort. Belmont left another mark on American culture as chief financier of the original New York subway system.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.
Location. 38° 2.503′ N, 84° 29.394′
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W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East Main Street (U.S. 60) and Midland Avenue (U.S. 60), on the right when traveling west. Located in Thoroughbred Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Midland Avenue, Lexington KY 40508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 614 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on August 11, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. 2. submitted on August 12, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
