Man O 'War - His Complete Racing Career

 

                                 The complete career record 

                                                                                                     

                                                                                                         of   

                                   Man O 'War   

                                                                                                             

                              'He's just de mostest hoss’                                          

 Chestnut colt Fair Play - Mahubah

Foaled March 29, 1917

Nursery Stud, Kentucky

                                 

                                      The Breeder     

  

August Belmont II: Born February 18, 1853 – Died December 10, 1924

August Belmont II was a wealthy New York Financier who financed and led construction on many major projects including the original NYC Subway line, Cape Cod Canal in Massachusetts and Belmont Park Racetrack in New York.

August Belmont bred Man O ‘War at his Nursery Stud near Lexington, Kentucky on March 29, 1917 and the chestnut son of Fair Play and Mahubah was sold at a dispersal sale at Nursery Stud in the fall of 1918.

                                        The Owner     

Samuel D Riddle: Born July 1, 1861 – Died January 8, 1951

Sam Riddle was a textile magnate who owned Glen Riddle Farm, a large breeding and training complex in Berlin, Maryland. In the fall of 1918 Riddle made the best decision of his life when he bought a chestnut yearling colt by Fair Play from Mahubah for $5,000 from August Belmont’s Nursery Stud. The yearling would become, Man O ‘War.

                                        The Trainer     

Louis Feustel: Born January 2, 1884 – Died July 7 1970

Feustel had long been employed by August Belmont II at his Nursery Stud before becoming Sam Riddle’s head trainer at Glen Riddle Farm. It was in fact Louis Feustel who was responsible for Sam Riddle buying Man O ‘War at the Nursery Stud’s dispersal auction.

Feustel trained Man O ‘War for all of his 21 starts but a falling-out with Sam Riddle saw him back training all August Belmont's horses by late 1922.

Louis Feustel was inducted into the National Racing Hall Of Fame in 1964.

                                        The Groom     

Will Harbut: Born April 17, 1883 – Died October 3, 1947

Will Harbut became the world’s most famous groom through his association with Man O ‘War.

When Man O ‘War retired from racing in October 1920, he took-up stud duties for the following season at his owner, Sam Riddle’s Faraway Farm.

John Buckner was Man O ‘War’s original groom, looking after the champion until he left his employ at Faraway Farm in 1930, after which, Will Harbut took over groom duties.

Man O ‘War made his name on the racetrack, but it was at Faraway Farm, with Will Harbut at his side, that they both became famous. Their unique partnership made them household names and tourists from around the world flocked to Faraway Farm to see ‘Big Red’ and to hear his story from his greatest fan, Will Harbut.

It was Will Harbut who famously summed-up Man O ‘War as “Da Mostest Hoss.” And he certainly was.

This great association lasted 17 years and when Will Harbut passed-away on October 3 1947, Man O ‘War didn’t last much longer, following his best friend to the grave the following month.

         The Riders  

Johnny Loftus

Born October 13, 1895 – Died March 23, 1976

Loftus rode Man O ‘War in all ten starts of his two-year-old season including his one and only career loss in the 1919 Sanford Memorial at Saratoga behind Upset.

Loftus’s license was revoked by the Jockey Club the following season and although no reason was given, he was never permitted to ride again.

He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame in 1959. 

Clarence Kummer

Born August 8, 1899 – Died December 18, 1930

Kummer took over riding duties for Man O ‘War after Johnny Loftus’s license was revoked by the Jockey Club in 1920.

Kummer rode Man O ‘War in 9 of the 11 races he contested during his three-year-old season, winning all 9.

He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame in 1972.

Earl Sande

Born November 13, 1898 – Died August 19, 1968

Sande had just the one ride on Man O ‘War due to the colt's regular rider, Clarence Kummer being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Sande’s one and only winning ride was in the 1920 Miller Stakes at Saratoga.

He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame in 1972.

Andy Schuttinger

Born July 13, 1892 – Died March 5, 1971

Schuttinger had just the one ride on Man O ‘War due to the colt's regular rider, Clarence Kummer being sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Schuttinger’s one and only winning ride was in the 1920 Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

                  Man O 'War's complete career record 

                                                                                       2YO

Start Number 1 – June 6, 1919 – Belmont Park, Maiden Purse 5 f

Start Number 2 – June 9, 1919 – Belmont Park, Keene Memorial Stakes (LS) 5 ½ f

Start Number 3 – June 21, 1919 – Jamaica Racetrack, Youthful Stakes 5 ½ f

Start Number 4 – June 23, 1919 – Aqueduct, Hudson Stakes 5 f

Start Number 5 – July 5, 1919 – Aqueduct, Tremont Stakes 6 f (Net value to winner $4,800) 

Start Number 6 – August 2, 1919 – Saratoga, United States Hotel Stakes 6 f

Start Number 7 – August 13, 1919 – Saratoga, Sanford Memorial Stakes 6 f

Start Number 8 – August 23, 1919 – Saratoga, Grand Union Hotel Stakes 6 f

Start Number 9 – August 30, 1919 – Saratoga, Hopeful Stakes 6f

Start Number 10 – September 13, 1919 – Belmont Park, Futurity Stakes 6f

                                        

                                                       2YO Season: 10 Starts – 9 wins, 1 second

                                                       Prize Money: $83,325

                                                                                  3YO

Start Number 11 – May 18, 1920 – Pimlico, Preakness Stakes  1 ⅛ m

Start Number 12 – May 29, 1920 – Belmont Park, Withers Stakes  1 m

Start Number 13 – June 12, 1920 – Belmont Park, Belmont Stakes 1 ⅜ m

Start Number 14 – June 22, 1920 – Jamaica Racetrack, Stuyvesant Handicap 1 m

Start Number 15 – July 10, 1920 – Aqueduct, Dwyer Stakes 1 1⁄8 m

Start Number 16 – August 7, 1920 – Saratoga, Miller Stakes 1 3⁄16 m

Start Number 17 – August 21, 1920 –Saratoga, Travers Stakes 1 ¼ m

Start Number 18 – Sept 4, 1920 – Belmont Park, Lawrence Realization 1 ⅝ m

Start Number 19 – September 11, 1920 – Belmont Park, Jockey Club Stakes 1 ½ m

Start Number 20 – Sept 18, 1920 – Havre de Grace, Potomac Handicap 1 1⁄16 m

Start Number 21 – October 12, 1920 – Kenilworth Park, Gold Cup 1 ¼ m

 

                                                     3YO Season: 11 Starts – 11 wins

                                                     Prize Money: $166,140

                                 

                                                     Career: 21 Starts – 20 wins – 1 second

                                                     Prize money: $249,465

                                         Man O 'War's American Time Records

                                                        

Date	Track	Race	Distance	Weight	Time
May 29 1920	Belmont Park	Withers Stakes	1 m	118	1:35 ⅘ (AR)
June 12 1920	Belmont Park	Belmont Stakes	1 ⅜ m	126	2:14 ⅕ (WR)
July 10 1920	Aqueduct	Dwyer Stakes	1 ⅛ m	126	1:49 ⅕ (WR)
Sept 4 1920	Belmont Park	Lawrence Realization	1 ⅝ m	126	2:40 ⅘ (WR)
Sept 11 1920	Belmont Park	Jockey Club Stakes	1 ½ m	118	2:28 ⅘ (AR)

                         The 1919 Sanford Memorial  

                            

The Sanford Memorial of 1919 is undoubtedly the most controversial and talked about race in American racing history, and yet, back in the day, it was simply a great race with an unpopular result.

Not much was made of Man O ‘War’s loss at the time, I mean, Man O ‘War was a very good two-year-old colt, who, at that point had won all six of his career starts and he was carrying 15 pounds more than the winner, Upset. We’ve all seen plenty of good horses beaten before, so his loss was no more controversial than any other rising star who’d been beaten for the first time.

The Sanford Memorial loss seemed to take on significance the following season, and more so, at the conclusion of Man O ‘War’s racing career where it glaringly stood out as the only blemish of his otherwise impeccable record.

The Daily Racing Form reported on the Sanford Memorial in the August 14, 1919 edition, the day after the race:

Man O ‘Wars adherents were forced at the finish to give odds. The opinion of last night held good this afternoon, for Man O ‘War ruled an overwhelming choice, with Golden Broom next in choice.

The supporters of the latter were a jubilant lot when the start found Golden Broom with a big advantage, his closest attendant being Upset. A groan came from those who had pinned their faith in Man O ‘War, for Loftus had been caught napping and the colt, as a result, was away somewhat poorly. Golden Broom, through his early advantage, kept well in front, with Upset and Donnacona his closest followers, but Man O ‘War was making great efforts to get into contention and succeeded so well that in going to the first turn he seemed as if he might be able to wrest the lead away, but at this juncture, when Man O ‘War’s chances appeared best, was brought about his undoing, for instead of succeeding in slipping through next to the inner rail as Loftus had intended, the leaders moved over, effectively cutting off Man O ‘War and forcing Loftus to come wide later on into the stretch.

Golden Broom was still in front on the stretch turn, but ready to retire, which he did soon after, and Upset, which had taken the lead, appeared all over an easy winner, but the stout-hearted Man O ‘War was not to be denied and he responded in resolute style to the punishing drive that Loftus was making and an eighth from the finish Knapp awoke to the peril and lost no time in beginning to work in earnest on the Whitney representative.

In the last sixteenth the crowd was in a frenzy over the duel that the pair were staging. Upset was leading but his margin was being steadily reduced, and seventy yards from the finish it still seemed that Man O ‘War had a chance to down his flying rival. But Upset held on in unusually game style and passed the winning line a long neck to the good. Golden Broom, though tiring fast near the end, lasted long enough to retain third place from Capt. Alcock, an added starter from the John E. Madden establishment, which ran a good race to land fourth place after his poor sendoff.

Many years later, Willie Knapp was interviewed by sporting journalist Evan Shipman about his recollections of Man O ‘War’s defeat by Upset on Sanford Memorial day 1919

In Shipman’s regular column ‘Weighing In’ in the August 20, 1953 edition of the Daily Racing Form, Willie Knapp shared those recollections:

“I was sitting on the steps of the hotel that morning with Mr Rowe (James Rowe, Upset’s trainer), and I told him, I said “I think we can take that big colt this afternoon.” “Why, you’re crazy.” he told me. “No, I’m not.” I said.

“I saw Johnny (Loftus) pull in at 5.30 this morning, and I went to bed last night at eight. Anybody who is going to ride that big colt needs all his sleep, needs all the head he’s got.” “Maybe you have something there.” Mr Rowe told me. So that afternoon the big fellow lunges at the barrier, four times he makes these lunges, and each time Judge Pettingill calls us back. I’m right beside him, and an assistant starter has hold of the big fellow’s head – that guy used to work for Sam Hildreth later at Rancocas. And we try to line up again and Johnny’s having trouble, and I say to this assistant starter “Take him back a step.” and I take a look over at the judge, and then I say “Take him back another step.” and he does, and it’s just about a break, and I say. “Take him back another step.” and he does, and the judge lets us go, and ‘Big Red’ is going back and we’re coming on. Naturally, we beat him away, and when Johnny gets him going, he’s on the inside of me, and both of us behind Golden Broom, and, for once that Golden Broom did not go wide on the turn, and I stay right where I am. So Johnny hollers “Let me out, let me out, Bill.” But I’m deaf, and I stay right where I am, holding him in there tight. He keeps on hollering and I just sit there.”

“He certainly did not get left at the post. The rest of us broke running, and he lost a step or two at the break, him going back while we were going on, but he was never left, and the judge’s start was all right. Then I had him fenced in, like I told you. Not until the sixteenth pole did I make a move. Then, when I set him free, he had to back out and around two horses, take back and come clear to the outside, and there was only a sixteenth to go, and we were home. That was all there was to it.”

“If I’d known then all the fuss it was going to cause over the years, I’d have pulled to one side and let the big colt go past. I really believe I would.”

Naturally, Man O ‘War’s owner, Sam Riddle and trainer, Louis Feustel were disappointed that their star colt was beaten but they did not blame Johnny Loftus and were happy for Loftus to continue riding Man O ‘War for the remainder of his two-year-old season. Which he did.

Johnny Loftus and Willie Knapp (Upset’s rider) were refused a jockey’s licence for the 1920 season and no reason or explanation was ever given by the Jockey Club for the refusal. That is the only reason that Loftus did not ride Man O ‘War during the 1920 racing season.

Of course, the license refusal was ‘grist for the mill’ for the conspiracy theorists, and it still goes on today.

Johnny Loftus and Willie Knapp turned their hand to training and both were granted Trainer’s licenses in 1922. 

Both riders were inducted into the National Racing Museum Hall Of Fame, Johnny Loftus in 1959 and Willie Knapp in 1969.

Willie Knapp (left) and Johnny Loftus pose for the camera long after their glory days as riders were
over. The photo was taken in 1953 at Gulfstream Park FL where they were both training at the time

                      Gallery 

Johnny Loftus aboard Man O 'War after winning the 1919 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park

Man O 'War with Clarence Kummer aboard on Belmont Stakes day

Man O 'War and Earl Sande racing away for a six length win in the 1920 Miller Stakes at Saratoga

Man O 'War and Earl Sande after winning the 1920 Miller Stakes 

Miller Stakes racebook

Andy Schuttinger aboard Man O 'War after winning the 1920 Travers Stakes at Saratoga

Owner Sam Riddle (left) talking with trainer Louis Feustel at Faraway Farm

Man O 'War and Clarence Kummer on the track at Belmont Park

Clarence Kummer has Man O 'War under a hold as they easily win the 1920 Belmont Stakes

Clarence Kummer salutes the crowd at Belmont Park

Man O 'War with Clarence Kummer up wins the Stuyvesant Handicap at Jamaica Racetrack

Upset and Willie Knapp shortly after their shock win in the 1919 Sanford Memorial at Saratoga

Man O 'War and Clarence Kummer on the track at Aqueduct for the 1920 Dwyer Stakes

Man O 'War making it 14 wins from 15 starts in the Dwyer Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack

Man O 'War heading out for his 'match-race' with Sir Barton at Kenilworth Park Racetrack, Canada

As good as he was, Sir Barton was totally outclassed in the match-race at Kenilworth Park

Samuel Riddle and Clarence Kummer at the presentation of the Kenilworth Gold Cup

Sam Riddle poses with his pride and joy, the great Man O 'War

Best friends Man O 'War and Will Harbut at Faraway Farm

Man O 'War and Will getting some exercise at Faraway Farm

Man O 'War's grave and memorial bronze statue at The Kentucky Horse Park

'The Look Of Eagles'

The passing of greatness and the parting of friends

Photo Credits

Charles Christain Cook

Richard Stone Reeves

Daily Racing Form

Kentucky Horse Park

'The Blood Horse' Nov 8 1947

'The Miami News' Feb 6 1953