TAE Gallery: artwork, photography, poetry, songs, and book arts

Man o' War

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Man o' War (March 29, 1917, Nursery Stud farm, Lexington, Kentucky—November 1, 1947, Faraway Farm) is considered one of the greatest Thoroughbred racehorses of all time. During his career, following World War I, he won 20 of 21 races and $249,465 in purses. Sired by the prominent Fair Play, his dam, Mahubah, was by the U.K. Triple Crown Champion, Rock Sand.

Man o' War was owned and bred by August Belmont, Jr. (1851–1924), whose father's accomplishments were recognized through the naming of the Belmont Stakes. Belmont, Jr. joined the U.S. Army at age 65 to serve in France during World War I. While he was overseas, his wife named a new foal "Man o' War" in honor of her husband.

Trained by Louis Feustel and ridden by Johnny Loftus, a two-year-old Man o' War made an impressive racing debut at Belmont Park on June 6, 1919, winning by six lengths. Three weeks later, he won the Keene Memorial Stakes.

At three, Man o' War was a strapping 16 hands 2 inches (167.6 centimeters) high and weighed about 1,150 pounds (520 kilogams) with a 72-inch girth.

This ink stipple scene is part of my Equine Series.

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