Man O’ War-the mostest hoss there ever was. ~Will Harbut.
November 1, 2017 marks 70 years since Man O’ War’s passing. And he is still talked about in legendary terms.
Man O’ War is widely considered to be one of the greatest racehorses of all time. During his career just after WWI, he won 20 of 21 races.
In 1919, Man O’ War won 9 of 10 starts. His only loss came at Saratoga where he had a poor start and was beaten by a colt named “Upset”.
He was not entered into the 1920 Kentucky Derby because his owner, Samuel Riddle, did not believe in racing at the distance of 10 furlongs so early in a young horse’s career. Instead, Man O’ War made his three-year-old debut in the Preakness Stakes where he defeated Upset by 1 1/2 lengths. He later won the Belmont Stakes by 20 lengths while setting a world record.
He continued to dominate his fellow 3-year-olds throughout the summer and fall while carrying more weight than his rivals.
The only time he faced older horses was in the final race of his career which was a match race against Sir Barton who had won what would later be known as the American Triple Crown in 1919. Man O’ War won by seven lengths in the first race ever to be filmed in its entirety.
Riddle originally intended to race Man O’ War in 1921, but decided against it because Man O’ War would have been assigned record weights in the handicap format used in races for older horses.
Instead, he was retired to stud where he became a leading sire whose multiple champions included Triple Crown winner, War Admiral.
Source: Wikipedia
Man O’War had been at stud for 10 years before Will Harbut came into his life.
But when he did arrive, they became best friends. Will did everything for Man O’ War, including becoming his voice. He always looked out for Man O’ War’s best interests.
They were together every day for more than 15 years. But there came a time when Will didn’t show up. He had had a stroke and was paralyzed on one side and blind.
Will Harbut died on October 3, 1947. His obituary in The Blood Horse listed among his survivors his wife, six sons, three daughters and “Man O’ War”.
Less than 1 month later on November 1, 1947, his new groom took the stallion back to his stall following a photo shoot, but as they were nearing the stall, the stallion balked.
His head held high, he looked out and down the driveway, perhaps looking for a familiar figure. He entered his stall, lay down and never got up. He died on November 1, 1947.
Given the thousands who wished to pay their final respects, he was laid out in his coffin before being buried at Faraway Farm. His remains were later moved to the Kentucky Horse Park.
Source: The Vault
Many say there has never been another relationship between horse and human like that of Will Harbut and Man O’ War. That may be true. I hope they are together on the grassy plains of heaven.
Blessings to you!
Charity
Ohhhh thank u he sounds like a hidden sercrite better then phar lap .. wicked man o war . Good nane
I am reading this for the first time
I have to say that I an chokedup and there are tears in my eyes at the thought of how badly that poor horse wanted 2c see his best friend once more b4 dieing. So SAD. Goes to show how in the end, even being a celebrity, he wad someone’s PET.