Man o' War Statue

Man o' War Statue

Photography of horse sports

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.

Joel Clyne Meadors

1948-10-16

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black and white photograph

still image

acetate negative