Related Historical Markers

By Unknown (PD), 1920

Man o' War

SHOWN IN SOURCE-SPECIFIED ORDER

1 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — The Mostest Hoss —

This was Man o' War. Golden red, with white star on his forehead, he was tall, deep-chested and unforgettably proud in bearing. Bred and foaled in Kentucky, he was the “complete horse”, one for whom no excuses were necessary. His reputation . . . — — Map (db m202908) HM

2 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — Getting Ready —

Man o' War's training began in September, 1918, at Berlin, Maryland, under the tutelage of Louis Feustel. It was no easy job. As high-spirited as his father, Fair Play, Man o' War was difficult to break at first. Earlier in the summer at Saratoga, . . . — — Map (db m202910) HM

3 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — The Two-Year-Old —

Man o' War raced ten times as a two-year-old. After his spectacular win in his first race at Belmont, his owner Sam Riddle entered him only in stakes races. It did not take the big red colt long to establish himself the best two-year-old around. . . . — — Map (db m202912) HM

4 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — The Race He Lost —

People are still surprised to hear that Man o' War actually lost a race – to a colt appropriately named Upset. It happened on August 13, 1919, in the Sanford Memorial Stakes. But this was not a case of Big Red having finally met his match on the . . . — — Map (db m202918) HM

5 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — The Three-Year-Old —

Man o' War's three-year-old season began late. Many in the racing world had expected to see him run in the Kentucky Derby, but his owner, Sam Riddle, kept him out of it. He felt that a long race like the Derby (1¼ miles) came too early in the season . . . — — Map (db m202914) HM

6 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — The Years at Stud —

Man o' War's last public appearance in racing colors was on January 28, 1921. At that time, he was cantered past his fans at the Kentucky Association track in Lexington, Kentucky. His next home was the Hinata Stock Farm near Lexington where he began . . . — — Map (db m202931) HM

7 ► Kentucky, Fayette County, Lexington — Will Harbut and Man o' War —

A most unusual man became Man o' War's groom in the fall of 1930. He was Will Harbut. Man o' War was now stabled at Faraway Farm, Sam Riddle's newly built stud farm near Lexington, Kentucky. A unique relationship developed between horse and groom as . . . — — Map (db m202933) HM