More and More of Man o' War

Share This:

Man o' War, photograph by Bert Clark Thayer — Man o’ War, photograph by Bert Clark Thayer

The 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale is underway and while attending I visited their magnificent library. Currently, the Keeneland library is featuring a photographic exhibit honoring Man o’ War in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Charles Christian Cook's photos of Man o' War at The Dwyer Stakes — Charles Christian Cook’s photos of Man o’ War at The Dwyer Stakes

The Keeneland library has a live exhibit and an on-line gallery of Man o’ War photography. I took these pictures of the live display and they can be seen at Man o’ War: In Others’ Words

Charles Christian Cook's Man o' War Belmont Futurity photo — Charles Christian Cook’s Man o’ War Belmont Futurity photo

Cook's 1920 Stuyvesant Handicap photo — Cook’s 1920 Stuyvesant Handicap photo

Cook's 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes photo — Cook’s 1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes photo

Cook's 1919 Belmont Futurity photo — Cook’s 1919 Belmont Futurity photo

Man o’ War was foaled March 29, 1917 at Nursery Stud in Kentucky. He was bred by August Belmont II. His sire was Fair Play and his dam was Mahubah. During his fine racing career he was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Riddle and trained by Louis Feustel. He won 20 of his 21 career starts. Some of his quality stakes wins include the Hopeful , Belmont Futurity, Preakness, Belmont and the Travers. He was declared the 1919 Champion 2 Year-Old Male Horse, the 1920 Champion 3 Year- Old Male Horse, the 1920 Horse of the Year and inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1957.

Cook's photo of a mornng workout — Cook’s photo of a mornng workout

A poster on display at the Keeneland library

A Man o' War video on loop at the Keeneland library — A Man o’ War video on loop at the Keeneland library

Thayer's photo of Man o' War at Faraway Farm — Thayer’s photo of Man o’ War at Faraway Farm

Keeneland library collected and compiled the works of many writers, photographers, artists and connections to create their exhibit, Man o’ War: In Others’ Words. I thoroughly enjoyed the video they created and the display in the library.

Spy Song, Meadors' photo of Man o' War's proginy — Spy Song, Meadors’ photo of Man o’ War’s proginy

Man o' War art on dispaly — Man o’ War art on dispaly

Man o' War gets a military visit, photographed by Estes — Man o’ War gets a military visit, photographed by Estes

Meadors' photo of Man o' War at Faraway Farm — Meadors’ photo of Man o’ War at Faraway Farm

The Keeneland library was opened in 1939. This Man o’ War exhibit will be accessible Monday thru Friday from 8:30A.M. to 4:30 P. M. EDT until the yearling sale ends on 9/23/17. The 16 photographs on display are by Charles Christian Cook, Joseph Alvie Estes, Robert Lee McClure and Bert Clark Thayer. The library contains other works as well.

Man o' War with his groom John Buckener, from the Jeffords collection — Man o’ War with his groom John Buckener, from the Jeffords collection

McClure's photo of Buckner with Man o' War — McClure’s photo of Buckner with Man o’ War

Cook's Dweyer stakes photo — Cook’s Dweyer stakes photo

In addition to the photography the on-line exhibit includes fascinating quotations on the champion Thoroughbred, Man o’ War.

Cook's Travers photo — Cook’s Travers photo

Cook's photo of jockey, Kummer — Cook’s photo of jockey, Kummer

Take time to scroll thru the galleries in this story and Keeneland library’s web site. If you are attending the Keeneland sale, drop by the library yourself for these stunning images of one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

Man o' War's horseshoe — Man o’ War’s horseshoe

The Keeneland yearling sale kicked off on 9/11/17. I was on site for the first 2 days and I will be attending later as well. I have several nice photos of some million dollar babies that I will share with you in future posts.

Share This: