It’s the centennial celebration for this super stallion! Man o’ War, also known as Big Red, is one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time. He was foaled on March 29, 1917 and in honor of the 100th year since his birth, there are multiple festivities and events taking place all year long.
On March 29, 2017 the National Museum and Hall of Fame, to which Man o’ War was inducted in 1957, opened up a special “Man o’ War at 100″ exhibit. That same day, the Kentucky Horse Park held a kick-off celebration and opened their own exhibit, “Man o’ War: The Mostest Horse That Ever Was”. Days later, the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs opened their exhibit, “Man o’ War: The Legacy”. Fortunately, in the past few weeks I have visited 2 of these 3 museums.
Kicking off Kentucky Derby week in Louisville, KY, I attended Fan Fest and toured the Man o’ War: The Legacy display. They have a nice collection of trophies, silks, photos, books, tack and other Man o’ War memorabilia.
Yesterday, I made the short trip to the Kentucky Horse Park. When I had last visited in October the scaffolding was still in place as they worked to restore the splendor of Man o’ War’s great bronze statue that stands above his grave at the park’s entrance. The statue by Herbert Haseltine, seen in this post’s feature image, was originally placed at Faraway Farm in KY where Man o’ War died at age 30 after a successful career as a champion race horse and stallion. In 1977, Man o’ War’s remains and the statue were moved to the KY Horse park. The patina on the bronze has now been renovated for his celebration. The city of Lexington declared the marking of his 100th birthday officially Man o’ War Day!
The KY Horse Park display featured many one-of-a-kind Man 0′ War treasures. I was surprised to learn that the Travers Stakes trophy was originally the Man o’ War Cup. The gold trophy was created for the Kenilworth Park Gold Cup race between the first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton and Man o’ War.
The KY Horse Park display also featured silks, other memorabilia and the ledger book recording the foaling of Man o’ War. He was born big by careful breeding and destined for greatness.
The most interesting discovery was not in either Man o’ War display. Rather, I met Big Red’s friend. The last living mount of Big Red works in the Ky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions. In his young 90’s, Gene Carter works 5 days a week caring for and presenting the most famous horses that live at the KY Horse Park. Carter’s father in law was Man o War’s groom at Faraway Farm. The groom’s name is Will Harbut. Harbut and Man o’ War had a long and deep connection. Big Red died within a month following Harbut’s passing. Harbut was famed for his connection to Big Red due to the constant visitors traveling worldwide to see the great, Man o’ War. Harbut said, “He’s got everythin’ a horse ought to have and he’s got it where a horse ought to have it. He’s the mostest horse.” Man o’ War will forever be the one and only mostest. In the Hall of Champions, Big Red is in the pedigree of 3 of the 8 champs whom live there. American Quarter Horse, Be A Bono and Thoroughbreds, Da Hoss and Funny Cide all have Man o’ War in the bloodline.
Man o’ War is the offspring of Fairplay and his”wife”, Muhabah. They are buried together at Elmendorf Farm and had 5 foals together. She was never bred to any other horse. Man o’ War won all but one of his 21 career starts. He didn’t enter the KY Derby but 35 of the last 36 KY Derby winners have Man o’ War in their bloodline. Undefeated at 3 years-old, Big Red did win the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.
Man o’ War only raced for 3 years and he sired just roughly 381 to 386 foals in his 22 years at stud. Top modern stallions produce more foals in 2 seasons. However, of all the Thoroughbreds that came before and after, Big Red stands out as one of the greatest of all time and his influence on and off the track will never be forgotten. Make time this year to meet up with friends and celebrate Man o’ War!
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