Man o' War

Man o' War chronicles the life and racing career of the legendary thoroughbred considered by many to be the greatest racehorse in history. The biography follows his path from birth in Kentucky through his dominance of American horse racing in the early 20th century. The book provides accounts of Man o' War's training, key races, and the central figures in his story - including owner Samuel Riddle, trainer Louis Feustel, and jockey Johnny Loftus. Racing statistics, contemporary news coverage, and firsthand observations combine to create a complete picture of the champion's career. The work captures a pivotal era in American horse racing while exploring themes of excellence, legacy, and the special bond between humans and horses. Beyond documenting Man o' War's achievements, the book examines his lasting impact on thoroughbred racing and breeding in North America.

This appears to be an uncommon book with limited reviews available online. Only a small number of readers have rated it on Goodreads (4 total), with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. Readers appreciate: - The detailed historical account of Man o' War's racing career - The behind-the-scenes information about his training - The inclusion of race statistics and records - The quality of the photographs Readers dislike: - Writing style can be dry in parts - Limited coverage of Man o' War's years at stud - Some sections contain repetitive information Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (4 ratings, 0 written reviews) Amazon: No reviews available Other sites: Not enough data to report One reader on a horse enthusiast forum noted the book "provides thorough race descriptions but lacks the emotional connection found in more modern equine biographies."

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🏇 Man o' War was so dominant in racing that other owners often refused to enter their horses in races against him, leading to several "walkover" races where he ran alone. 📚 Authors Page Cooper and Roger Treat conducted extensive interviews with Man o' War's groom Will Harbut, who shared unique insights about the horse's personality and daily life that had never been published before. 🏆 The book describes Man o' War's only defeat, which came at the hands of a horse named Upset in the Sanford Memorial Stakes - this race is actually the origin of the term "upset" being used to describe an unexpected sporting victory. 💰 When Man o' War was purchased as a yearling by Samuel Riddle (as detailed in the book), the price was $5,000 - considered very high for 1918 but proving to be one of the greatest bargains in racing history. 🎨 The book's first edition featured specially commissioned artwork by racing artist George Ford Morris, whose illustrations helped capture the magnificent physical presence that earned Man o' War the nickname "Big Red."