1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes
Title
1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes
Subject
Photography of horse sports
Description
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.
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.
Creator
Charles Christian Cook
Date
1919-08-13
Rights
These digital resources 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
glass plate negative
Files
Collection
Citation
Charles Christian Cook, “1919 Sanford Memorial Stakes,” The Keeneland Library, accessed September 16, 2024, https://keenelandlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/399.