Man o’ War, Johnny Loftus Up
This photograph features jockey Johnny Loftus, who rode Man o’ War in each of his 10 starts in 1919, after his final race aboard Man o' War, the Belmont Futurity. Unknown at the time to both Loftus and Man o’ War’s owner, Samuel D. Riddle, Loftus’ jockey license would be revoked in 1920, prompting Riddle to pursue another rider for Man o’ War’s three-year-old season.
The accompanying statements from Samuel D. Riddle and Man o’ War’s trainer, Louis Feustel, appeared in the New York World on September 14, 1919, the day after the Futurity. With Man o’ War’s final victory of his two-year-old season, Louis Feustel became the youngest trainer in history to have trained a Futurity winner.
"It is a great satisfaction to own such a wonderful horse. To me he is worth his weight in gold. He has run his last race for this year as he has done quite enough, but he will be back next year, barring accidents, to continue, I hope, the great career he has begun so well. My trainer, Louis Feustel, deserves the highest credit for the skill in which he has trained and handled the horse.”
- Samuel D. Riddle, 19191
“That fellow speaks for me. He is so full of health and spirits and has such a happy disposition that it has been a pleasure to handle him. Few men are lucky enough to get such a horse to train.”
- Louis Feustel, 19192
1. George Daly (September 14, 1919). “Man o’ War Races to Highest Fame in the Futurity,” New York World
2. Ibid.