Facts About Man O' War
The famous horse Man O' War was owned and bred by August Belmont, Jr., whose father's accomplishments were recognised through the naming of the Belmont Stakes.
The horse was given the name by August Belmont Jr.'s wife, who named the new foal "My Man O' War" in honor of his husband who served in France during World War I.
Before he won his many trophies and broke the horse racing records of his generation, the legendary chestnut stallion Man O'War was known as "Big Red." This was due to his trainer Louis Feustel who had red hair and was commonly called "Red" by the people at Glen Riddle Farm where the stallion was trained.
Man O'War's racing career lasted only 16 months but in that short span he broke existing records and won 20 of the 21 races he was fielded in. His victories included the Hudson Stakes, Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, the Travers Stakes among others. He established New World Records for 1 1/8 miles, 1 3/8 miles and 1 5/8 miles; New American Records for 1 ½ miles and 1 mile; and New Track Records in 1 ¼ miles and 1 1/16 miles.