1920's Sports | Man O' War 1917-1947

THOROUGHBRED CHAMPION

Popular Legend.

Nicknamed "Big Red" for his deep chestnut color, Man o' War was America's legendary thoroughbred race-horse. Beautiful, powerful, and seemingly invincible, he so appealed to the general American public that he is credited with popularizing a sport that had often been regarded either as a diversion for the wealthy or as a sinister lure to those addicted to "immoral" gambling.

Early History.

Man o' War was bred by August Belmont I, the great American turfman for whom Belmont Park was named. The colt, a son of Fair Play, was foaled in Kentucky and sold as a yearling to Samuel D. Riddle at a Saratoga, New York, race meeting for $5,000, a notable bargain since the horse earned $249,465 in purses and, later, even more in stud fees. During 1919 and 1920, when he was two and three years old, Big Red won twenty of his twenty-one races.

Career.

Man o' War's only...