Man 'O War is the #1 race horse of the 20th century. Stories about him are legendary. He is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park. One story says that he passed away of heartbreak within a month of his groom's Will Harbut's death. And why not, since Mr. Harbut really understood his Man 'O War. Mr. Harbut once said, "That's Manny Wah. When he wants to git up, he gits up. When he wants to lie down, he lies down." Man 'O War raced 21 times, winning 20 of them. He only lost to Upset on a non-gate start. He was being turned to face the line-up and the bell went off. He had his back to the track when the other horses ran. He won the Preakness and Belmont, but never had a chance to win the Triple Crown because his owner, Mr. Samuel Riddle, didn't like Kentucky and didn't think 2 year olds should run so early in the season. He changed his mind, by the time he was racing Man 'o War's baby, War Admiral. And notice that War Admiral is a Triple Crown Winner! Man 'O War beat Sir Barton, a Triple Crown winner, in a match race -- the first complete filmed horse race on historical record.
My girls are related to Man 'O War, of course. Violet is related through 7 lines! She has War Admiral crosses three times, and then Man 'O War's children Furlough, Sunset Gin, Frilette, and War Glory. Hailee is related twice through Top Deck. She has Man 'O War's children Frilette and Taps in her family tree, each occurring twice. So, Violet and Hailee share Frilette.
You can learn more about Man 'O War at the following links:
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or listen to his funeral at:
