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August Belmont Jr.-Breeder
A financer. Bought the land and built the New York Belmont racetrack, named after his father. And was a huge owner/breeder of thoroughbred racehorses. He died in 1924 at the age of 71. -
Foaled
A chestnut horse with a star and a white stripe on his forehead. Born at Nursery Stud near Lexington, Kentucky.
Stud-Fairplay
Dam-Mahubah -
Personality of a Special Horse
Difficult to control with his wild temperament. Often throwing his workout riders. He fought "like a tiger", "screaming with rage", and fought so hard it took him a couple days for him to be handled safety. He was gradually traine into the great race horse he became. Developing a strong bond with his groom, Frank Loftus, who taught him how to fetch and carry his hat. And his favorite treats were oranges. -
Winning 9 of 10 as a 2 Year-Old
Winning five of his six races in June/July. Then he was shipped upstate New York to Saratoga race course where the competition would be fiercer. But Man O' War still went on to win his next four races. -
First Win of Many
Winning his first race at Belmont Park(maiden race), to start off his 2 year-old season with his first jockey, Johnny Loftus(who was banned from the Jockey Club in 1919 after a successful career since 1909). Running 5 furlongs in 0:59 flat, winning by 6 lengths. -
Carrying the Weight
This horse could carry up to 138 pounds on his back while running at top speed while breaking track records, while most of his fellow horse competitors carried 115-120 pounds. He was often held back in heavy restraint in the start of his races and often conceded his rivals large amounts of weight. -
"Look of eagles"
Man O' War was a respectable height at full level of maturity, 16 1/2 hands, with a stride length of 28 feet, which was considered as the longest of all time. He carried himself like a champion. He was a energetic, spirited horse, and would often be seen with his head held high looking off into the distance, which was described as the "look of eagles". -
Racing Career
Was considered the favorite in every race, always won his races right out in front. Most memorable wins were the Belmont Stakes winning by 20 lengths, and the Lawrence Realization by 100 lengths, setting records in both races along with other races that were 6 to 13 furlongs. He retired as the then-leading money maker in American history. -
Start to 3 Year-Old Season
Jockey replacement from Johnny Loftus to Clarence Kummer, after Loftus was denied his jockey licence, which was rumored to Man O' War's Stanford defeat. Over the winter he had grown to be 16.2 hands, weighing 1,150, with girth size of 72 inches. -
Triple Crown
The Triple Crown is a series of 3 races.
1) The Kentucky Derby
2) The Preakness Stakes(1 1/8 miles)
3) The Belmont Stakes(1 3/8 miles)
The Belmont Stakes is the longest of the 3 races. Most horses that have won two out of three races, won the first two and lost in the Belmont. -
Could Have Won the Triple Crown
Man O' War was decided not to be put into the Kentucky Derby because his owners prefered target was a few days later, the Preakness Stakes, and they believed it was too early in the year for the horse to run a mile and a quarter. The three year old made his 3 year-old debut in the Preakness Stakes, with a win. Then went onto win the Belmont Stakes. -
Beating a Triple Crown Winner-Sir Barton
The year prior Sir Barton had win the Triple Crown. Which after Man O' War had won the Belmont he went on to beat Sir Barton at Kenilworth Park, where he took the lead breaking the track record of 2:03 by six seconds.
