Man o' War Statue

Title

Man o' War Statue

Subject

Photography of horse sports

Description

This photograph of Herbert Haseltine's statue at Man o' War's gravesite was taken on October 16, 1948, at Faraway Farm nearly a year after Man o' War's death. Haseltine (front, middle) is regarding his work. The bronze stood at Faraway Farm until its move to the Kentucky Horse Park in 1977.

At Faraway, the statue was surrounded by a 10-foot wide moat situated in Man o’ War’s paddock, and the walkway to the site was lined with 30 hornbeam trees representing his age at death in 1947.

Newspaper headlines from around the world heralded Man o’ War (1917-1947) as “matchless,” the “wonder horse,” a “speed miracle,” and “peerless.”

After winning 20 of his 21 races, Man o’ War, owned by Samuel D. Riddle and trained by Louis Feustel, retired to stud duty in Kentucky. He was the leading North American sire in 1926. He remained a prominent Kentucky tourist attraction during his retirement years, and his funeral was broadcast live across the country.

Man o' War's statue and remains at the Kentucky Horse Park continue to draw thousands of visitors to the Bluegrass every year. A century after his birth, he is still ranked by many as the greatest American racehorse.

Creator

Joel Clyne Meadors

Date

1948-10-16

Rights

This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Physical rights are retained by the Keeneland Library. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.

Format

black and white photograph

Type

still image

Original Format

acetate negative

Files

Meadors - 1948-10-16 Mooney, Herbert Haseltine, and O'Neil examine the Man o' War statue at Faraway Farm in Lexington KY.jpg

Citation

Joel Clyne Meadors, “Man o' War Statue,” The Keeneland Library, accessed March 28, 2024, https://keenelandlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/397.

Output Formats