1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes
Photography of horse sports
This photograph was taken on August 13, 1919, at the Sanford Memorial Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse. Man o’ War lost the only race of his career to Upset that day.
In this photograph, Upset (Willie Knapp up) is in the lead, Man o’ War (Johnny Loftus up) is on his heels, and Golden Broom (Eddie Ambrose up) trails behind Man o’ War.
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.
Johnny Loftus, a top U.S. jockey in the 1910s, rode Man o' War in each of his ten starts in 1919 - Loftus' final year racing. In addition to his two victories in both the Kentucky Derby (1916, 1919) and Preakness Stakes (1918, 1919), Loftus also took the Belmont Stakes in 1919. Other notable wins include the Travers Stakes (1916), Hopeful Stakes (1913, 1919), Jerome Handicap (1916), Withers Stakes (1916, 1919), Toboggan Handicap (1916, 1919), Gazelle Handicap (1917), Kentucky Oaks (1917), and Empire City Handicap (1919). Loftus was inducted in the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame in 1959.
Charles Christian Cook
Cook 429
1919-08-13
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Brooklyn Handicap at Old Aqueduct Racetrack
Photography of horse sports
This photograph features the Brooklyn Handicap at the old Aqueduct Racetrack in 1917. The jockey, William "Willie" Knapp, is up on Borrow. Borrow ran the 1-1/8 mile race in 1:49-2/5, setting a new American record. Frank Robinson is up on Regret who came in second, while D. Connolly is up on Old Rosebud, who came in third.
Charles Christian Cook
Cook 13908
1917-06-25
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.
black and white photograph
still image
William Knapp
Photography of horse sports
This is a photographic portrait of the jockey William "Willie" Knapp.
Two of Knapp's notable wins include the 1918 Kentucky Derby aboard Exterminator and his 1919 Sanford Stakes victory over Man o’ War aboard Upset.
William Knapp was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969.
Charles Christian Cook
Cook 13844
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.
black and white photograph
still image