Faraway Farm Guestbook (2)

Title

Faraway Farm Guestbook (2)

Subject

Photography of horse sports

Description

Photograph of a visitor signing the guestbook for the American Thoroughbred Man o' War at Faraway Farm in 1929.

Man o’ War was moved to Faraway Farm in 1922, and he spent the remainder of his life there. For much of the year, Faraway Farm received visitors eager to see Man o’ War every day. Many of these visitors signed the stud barn guest book, and estimates suggest Man o’ War received more than 1.5 million visitors over the course of his 25 years at Faraway.

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

Bert Clark Thayer

Date

1929

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

Visitor signing Man o' War's Faraway Farm guest book in 1929 (2).jpg

Citation

Bert Clark Thayer, “Faraway Farm Guestbook (2),” The Keeneland Library, accessed March 19, 2024, https://keenelandlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/415.

Output Formats