Man o’ War, Stripped

Although an exact date is unknown, this photograph was likely taken toward the end of Man o' War's racing career or during the transition between his racing and stud careers.

Man o’ War and Sir Barton met on October 12, 1920, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada for the Kenilworth Park Gold Cup, Man o’ War’s final race. After much publicity and industry anticipation, Man o’ War definitively bested his rival by seven lengths.

Frank Talmadge Phelps provided the summary below of Man o’ War’s three-year old career and subsequent move to Kentucky in Turf and Sport Digest

 

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“Kenilworth was his eighth record performance in eleven starts at three, and five of those races resulted in new American time marks at distances from a mile to 1 5/8 miles. Unbeaten that year, he earned $166,140 to break the income record for a three-year-old of $144,380, set by Sysonby in 1905. Man o’ War’s two-season total of $249,465 surpassed the financial record of $193,550, established by Domino.

"Only the Sanford loss to Upset marred Man o’ War’s record in 21 appearances. He had displayed equal facility on fast or wet tracks from five furlongs to 1 5/8 miles under weights up to 138 pounds and while giving as much as 32 pounds to the second finisher. The average weight carried by the Riddle champion was 126, his average weight concession to the next-best runner was ten pounds, and his average margin of superiority in a score of victories was 9 1/2 lengths.

"In January, 1921, Man o’ War was shipped to Lexington. There at the now defunct Lexington Association track he made his final public appearance, being cantered under silks around the sloppy course before a large crowd of chilled admirers.”

- Frank Talmadge Phelps, 19601

 

1. Frank Talmadge Phelps (March 1960). “He Wuz de Mostes’ Hoss,” Turf and Sport Digest