This year marks the centenary of the birth of one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Man O’ War. To honour him, the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1957, opened a special exhibit in his honor, “Man o’ War at 100”, on his 100th birthday, March 29 this year.
Fittingly this year also marks the 150th anniversary of one of America’s greatest races, the Belmont Stakes, which is named after the family who bred Man O’ War. 
Man O’ War’s sire Fair Play was a good racehorse and was a three-time leading North American sire. His dam Mahubah by Rock Sand was no star, but was well thought of in breeding circles.

Man O’ War inherited the violent disposition of his grandsire, Hastings, and was a handful as a youngster.

However, after his trainer Louis Feustal had cooled his temper to a manageable level, he made a stunning debut at Belmont Park, winning a two-year-old maiden hard held by six lengths.

Man o’ War

His subsequent feats on the racecourse are best summed up by the National Museum Of Racing and Hall of Fame, who said:

“The 1920s are considered a golden age for sports heroes in America. However, no athlete in the land was more revered than horse racing’s greatest marvel, the mighty Man O’ War. Babe Ruth had charisma. Jack Dempsey had power, Red Grange had speed and was known as the “Galloping Ghost.” Man o’ War had all of those attributes. But instead of being a galloping ghost, Man O’ War was an equine freight train. In 1920, Man O’ War won all eleven of his starts to conclude a two-year run in which he won 20 of 21 starts and compiled an all-time earnings record of $249,645. When all was said and done, Man O’ War had established three world records, two American records, seven track records and equaled another track standard.”

In his only loss he was standing sideways when the tape was released and lost many lengths. He was then hampered in the closing stages. Fittingly the winner’s name was Upset, and legend has it that the race popularised the sporting term “upset”.

Man O’ War was not entered in the 1920 Kentucky Derby because his owner, Samuel Riddle, did not believe in racing at the distance of ten furlongs so early in a young horse’s career. However, he won the Preakness by 1,5 lengths, beating Upset, and won the Belmont Stakes by 20 lengths, setting a world record. 
Man O’ War was retired to stud after his dominant three-year-old year. He had already carried as much as 138 pounds (63kg) in a race and conceded as much as 34 pounds (15 kg). Had he raced at four he would have started at 140 pounds.

Riddle has often been criticised for the quality of mares he allowed to be bred to Man O’ War. However, according to “Thoroughbred Heritage”, this, in retrospect, appears to be as a result of a “sour grapes”. In actual fact Riddle had taken the advice of expert horsemen like John Madden and bloodlines specialist William Allison in selecting the broodmares that were to be his first mates. Consequently, the crop produced three champions, American Flag (Belmont, Dwyer, Withers Stakes), Florence Nightingale (C.C.A. Oaks) and Maid At Arms (Alabama Stakes, Pimlico Oaks).

Man O’ War was the leading sire in North America of 1926 and was runner-up in 1928, 1929 and 1937, despite Riddle restricting him to about 25 mares a year,
The Jockey Club credits him with 62 stakes winners from 381 named foals,

Man O’ War’s most successful sons at stud were War Admiral and War Relic. War Relic’s branch of the male line has survived today through the like of  Tiznow, one of the very few modern stallions who does not trace back on his sire line to Eclipse.

Man O’ War was bred by August Belmont Jr.

Belmont’s father of the same name financed the Jerome Park Racetrack which staged the first running of the Belmont Stakes in 1867. Belmont Jr was the first president of The Jockey Club and was chairman of the New York State Racing Commission. In 1905 he built a new racecourse on Long Island in New York and it was named Belmont Park. The Belmont Stakes is still held there today.

Belmont Jr inherited Nursery Stud, established in 1867 by his father in New York. Belmont Sr later leased a farm property in Kentucky, located about three miles outside Lexington, and after transferring all of the breeding business there, Belmont Jr developed a stud farm, Kentucky Nursery Stud, which bred 129 American Stakes winners. The greatest of these, Man o’ War, was born while Belmont Jr was serving overseas in World War I. In his absence, his wife Eleanor named the new foal “My Man o’ War”. However, Belmont Jr was in his mid-sixties and decided to disband the stable. The “My” was dropped from the name and Riddle bought Man O’ War at the Saratoga Yearling Sale for what turned out to be a bargain $5,000.

Man O’ War stood 16.2 ¹⁄₂ hands, with prominent withers and a high croup, but was sometimes faulted for a dipped back. He had virtually flawless legs and solid bone, traits he passed on to his offspring. He had a slightly Roman nose and notably high head carriage. His nickname was “Big Red”.

Man o’ War will be remembered for capturing the non-racing public’s attention in a way no horse had before and few have since. The men of the First Cavalry Division awarded him the rank of honorary Colonel, and upon his death accorded him full military honours. Man O’ War received up to a hundred visitors a day at Faraway Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

His beloved stud groom Will Harbut introduced him as “The Mostest Hoss there ever was”. Harbut was buried alongside his great friend.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal stages an eight race meeting on the Inside track tomorrow and the last meeting indicated little draw bias on a track which usually favours low barrier positions so there look to be a few opportunities for punters.

Forest Fox (JC Photography)

The highest rated race is a MR 94 Handicap over 1400m and this an ultra competitive event in which any of the ten contestants could win. Forest Fox represents the in form Paul Peter yard. This horse used to be an enigmatic sort but has become consistent with age and is ideally distance suited. He is only three points higher than his last win, which was a 2,5 length romp over this course and distance last October, where he jumped from an unfavourable high draw. He has another tricky draw of eight by trends, but last week’s meeting gave horses a chance no matter where they were drawn. He will be ridden by in form Weichong Marwing, a further plus. National Key has dropped to a competitive merit rating and his penultimate start over this course and distance can be ignored as he pecked badly at the start and was never in it.

He followed with a fair run at Turffontein over this trip from a wide draw and is now drawn in the middle. Trading Profit has showed lately what can be done when a horse drops to an attractive merit rating and has reeled off two wins on the trot over 1400m and 1600m respectively. He has gone up seven points in total for the two wins but he is still 12 points lower than his highest winning mark. This is likely his ideal trip and he has a low draw of two. Kings Archer is another one who is ideally distance suited and he is knocking on the door off his current 89 merit rating.

Raymond Danielson

Another late charge can be expected in the cool hands of Raymond Danielson. Arctica returns from a layoff since March and this is an ideal course and distance for his return and Piere Strydom is aboard from draw one. This decent sort has won after a layoff before. Just As I Said is a speedy and ultra consistent sprinter and can’t be written off in the fast current conditions, despite 1400m likely stretching his stamina reserves. The rest of the field all have the ability to win but might need their respective runs.

Earlier, there is an interesting MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m. Jameson Girl has the speed and the ability to stay on so should go close carrying just 54,5kg from the number one draw. She is held by Lady Starlett on the form of their last meeting at Turffontein, but on the form of their last meeting over this course and distance Jameson Girl is comfortably ahead of the latter on paper. Levi Lady has a lot of speed and in the current fast conditions will be a threat carrying 54kg. Spring Wonder beat a good field last time over 1160m and has only been given a two point raise, but she has to carry 62,5kg which will not be easy against some of the speedsters here. La Roquette won her maiden well and her last run, after being backed, can be ignored, as she had no sort of luck.

Later there is a Graduation Plate over 1800m in which Jubilee Line is weighted to win. This horse was held in high regard by the Mike de Kock yard, but never fulfilled his potential and now has his first run for Scott Kenny. He is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance as he winds up before staying on strongly so the long straight will suit him.

Sam Mosia

The meeting starts with a Workrider’s Maiden Plate over 1200m in which Tammany Hall will be hard to beat on the form of her debut when mixing it with the like of subsequent Grade 2 Golden Slipper runner up Let It Flow. Her rider Phelisile Mongqawa had a winner last month, so will be confident. However, the first-timer by Silvano Penny From Heaven, who is a full sister to the useful Penny Serenade, will have the good workrider Chamu Mabaya aboard and Orinoco Rock, who could be a threat if reproducing her Cape Town form, has former champion workrider Sam Mosia aboard.

In the third over 1400m, Kitty Pride was beaten just over three lengths by subsequent Grade 1 runner up Rockin’ Russian in a 1200m race on debut and the form has worked out exceptionally well. She showed pace there and in the current fast conditions can stay on despite debatably having a slight stamina doubt. Ninjara caught the eye staying on strongly over 1200m on debut after being slow away and outpaced, so will relish the step up in trip. San Fermin is a well-bred Australian-bred with Strydom up, so is another interesting runner.

In race five Goodytwoshoes has turned the corner and is still merit rated only 67 so can continue on her winning ways.

In race six Open Road has some decent form and was even tried in a Grade 2 race as a two-year-old. He has proved competitive off her current lowly mark of 65 and can score her second career victory over a suitable trip.

The meeting closes with a staying event over 2400m and Houston Rocket makes appeal here as a typically progressive son of Ideal World, who looks likely to relish the step up in trip having stayed on well over 2000m last time. His stablemate Inn A Million was ahead of him in that last mentioned race but is now 1,5kg worse off for a 0,75 length beating. Eastern Pearl ran well over 2450m last time and before that was a 1,25 length third to Inn A Million over 2000m and is now 1,5kg better off and carrying only 52,5kg, so will also be a big runner.

By David Thiselton

Summerhill Stud owner Mick Goss, so often a pace-setter in the South African bloodstock industry, has taken the drastic step of slashing the fees of several of his stallions by between 33 and 40%.

Brave Mary’s sire Brave Tin Soldier comes down from R15 000 to R10 000 while Capetown Noir, Linngari and Willow Magic are reduced from R20 000 to R 12 000. Seemingly substantial discounts are available on others.

Mick Goss

Goss said: “Too many horses are not making their production costs in the sales ring and we invite you to talk to us about your needs so that we can see what we can do to accommodate them. We’d like to think we have the capacity to surprise.”

But Goss has also reiterated his belief that export protocols will soon open up and in May he said: “I will be pretty bullish that we’ll have something concrete in place by December.” He was buoyed by a prominent French breeder saying that the European Union will look again at South Africa’s equine export position before the end of the year.

Indeed there is growing optimism among many in South Africa that the Export Task Team will be able to make a breakthrough in the near future and the ETT has been boosted by the recent addition of Cape Thoroughbred Sales boss Adrian Todd.

It is not just in Europe that the breakthrough could come. Two months ago thoroughbrednews.com.au boss Rob Burnett wrote on this page how Hong Kong is eyeing South Africa for the purchase of 1 500 horses needed to expand the Chinese racing industry.

The Sydney-based Burnett, a regular visitor to the July and the Met, believes that there is a realistic possibility of Hong Kong admitting South African horses without first having to undergo quarantine elsewhere.

By Michael Clower

Cuban Emerald displayed the sort of acceleration Usain Bolt wishes he still had when powering home in the Buco Handicap at Kenilworth on Saturday but, for the moment at least, Justin Snaith has no intention of upping him in class.

He said: “The next level is a big jump and I am happy to keep the horse in this company. He is still a big immature type and he hated every minute of the hard training tracks in P.E. Indeed he disliked the whole environment there.

Justin Snaith (Nkosi Hlophe)

“Then Kevin Sommerville (Drakenstein racing manager) identified that he was looking a bit awkward behind. We brought in a physio and that has made all the difference.

“We also found that he was losing his races at the start as he is such a big horse so we now trot him round behind the pens to warm him up.”

Second-placed Power Grid put last time’s flop behind him and indeed looked all over the winner until Richard Fourie pressed the detonator to such explosive effect. “He had a speedy cut and an over-reach last time. Here he was back to his best,” said Andries Steyn’s wife Jennifer but the horse continues to confound veterinary opinion, not least with the way he walks round the parade ring as if he is lame.

New Caledonia, though, has had more than his share of injury and he twice did a lower suspensory ligament last year. The five-year-old bounced back to make Lucy Woodruff’s 23^rd birthday in the Isotherm Handicap with Grant van Niekerk throwing accepted tactics to the wind by going on just under two furlongs out.

“My stomach went to my mouth and I nearly had a heart attack,” said Geoff Woodruff’s daughter, mixing her medical metaphors. “New Caledonia likes to run at horses but I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present.”

It was also a memorable day for Dan Katz who had his first winner since his appointment as Hassen Adams’ private trainer when Jason Smitsdorff sprang a 25-1 shock on Lalena in the Medal Paints Maiden.

Ken and Jane Truter are doubtless wishing they had chosen a more peaceful place than Barcelona for their European holiday but their Vaughan Marshall-trained Flash Twice had no problem landing the odds in the last to complete a double for Aldo Domeyer who was also on the mark on Queen Moira in the Matus Maiden.

Glen Puller was another to double up with Piet Botha on Steel Rose wearing down the luckless Varside in the first and Akshay Balloo on 15-1 shot Miss D’Aray again showing his talent for slipping the field two races later.

In-form Piet Steyn had his fourth winner in three meetings when  Sihle Cele on Call Me Darling got up in the last three strides of the Steinbuild Handicap.

By Michael Clower

The Duncan Howells-trained, seven-year-old gelding, Nicklaus proved yesterday he is a horse to be ignored at one’s peril as he downed his stablemate Wild Wicket in a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m on the Greyville polytrack.

It was a good day for Ashburton trainers as both Howells and Paul Gadsby landed doubles and Des Egdes also had a winner.

The rangy Brazilian-bred Nicklaus, by Point Given was officially 0,5kg under sufferance with Wild Wicket but ended favourite at 3/1 as Wild Wicket drifted out to 32/10.

Nicklaus (Candiese Marnewick)

Wild Wicket tracked Nicklaus around the final bend but Howells’ chief stable jockey Keagan de Melo switched him inward and made his run down the middle. Anthony Delpech hooked Nicklaus on to the outside rail. It would be  no surprise to see Wild Wicket fitted with blinkers next time out as he is a classy sort who tends to become reluctant when hitting the front. On this occasion Nicklaus was hidden behind the horses on Wild Wicket’s outside. Consequently, when Nicklaus suddenly swept past Wild Wicket, the latter had no time to respond and was beaten by 0,75 lengths. The admirable Mumsy’s Jet was going for a poly hattrick and finished third, albeit well beaten by 3,25 lengths. He was followed home by Secret Warning and Breakfast Club. The best weighted horse, the mare Lala, ran disappointingly for the third time in succession and finished last.

The meeting opened with a head bobbing thriller in a Maiden over 1600m. The outsider Mighty Mississippi, returning from a long layoff, only just failed to hold off the Howells-trained 9/2 shot Zenzero ridden by De Melo. Zenzero is by Byword, as was the disappointing favourite Bypass, who finished downfield.

The second, a Maiden over 2000m, saw the favourite Lucky At Last just failing to catch the Paul Gadsby-trained Ideal World three-year-old gelding Ataturk, who was given a well-timed ride by Sean Veale.

However, favourite backers had consolation in the next when the seemingly beaten Joey Ramsden-trained Australian-bred Yess produced a sudden late surge under Anthony Delpech to win the Maiden for fillies and mares over 2000m by the narrowest of margins from the 8/1 chance The Matador.

The first leg of the Pick 6, a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, produced yet another thriller and it was the Dennis Drier-trained Dynasty filly Russet Roses who just got the better of Ideal Winter, despite starting at odds of 21/2. The winner was ridden by, 1,5kg claiming apprentice, Diego de Gouveia.

The first leg of the Jackpot, a MR 60 handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, saw a duel down the straight between Peggy’s Dream and Eina. The former, a four-year-old Jay Peg mare, gave Gadsby and De Melo a double each.

In the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap over 1400m, the Egdes-trained Just As Well mare Just Rap flew up late under Ian Sturgeon to just deny Noodle.

In the eighth, also a MR 70 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m, the Alyson Wright-trained Roy Is Second kept going well under Delpech to win by a comfortable two lengths.

In the last, a MR 66 Handicap over 1400m, Candice Bass-Robinson and Gareth Wright combined to win with the six-year-old Jet Master gelding Rocket Master, who just held on from the fast finishing Fantasy Art.

By David Thiselton