Man o' War's First Crop Gave Him Fast Start at Stud

The news originating out of Lexington in February 1922 was significant enough to grab the attention of the New York Times, which reported it under the headline: "Man o' War Colt Arrives, First Foal of Famous Racer Is a Bay Filly." (Perhaps whoever wrote the headline and deck was not well versed in the jargon of horsemen.) "Lexington, Ky., Feb. 27—The first foal by Man o' War, Samuel Riddle's super horse arrived yesterday at Haylands Stud here. The first-born of the famous race horse is a bay filly out of Masquerade by Disguise. Masquerade is owned by Mr. Riddle." Simple fanfare for a stunning stallion, the greatest of his era and perhaps of all others as well. Man o' War was foaled at Major August Belmont's Nursery Stud just outside of Lexington March 29, 1917. Because of World War I, Belmont offered the chestnut colt, along with all of his other yearlings, at a Powers-Hunter Company paddock sale at Saratoga on Aug. 17. The report of the sale offered this first glimpse of press for Man o' War: "The first high price paid was $5,000 which S.D. Riddle paid for Man o' War, a good-sized and well-balanced colt by Fair Play—Mahubah, by Rock Sand." Man o' War's deeds wrote the rest of the copy for history, far more eloquently than words. As one writer put it on the occasion of Man o' War's homecoming to Lexington to enter stud in 1921, "Man o' War is the breeders' dream realized—a horse combining transcendent speed and marvelous endurance." The announcement of Man o' War's first book of mares came early in 1921, 15 handpicked mares, all the property of the Riddle family: Miss Starlight (Watercress), Gambarda (Bayardo), Colette (Collar), Batanoea (Roi Herode), Lady Comfey (Roi Herode), Santissima (St. Angelo), Bathing Girl (Spearmint), The Nurse (Yankee), Florence Webber (Peep O'Day), Smoky Lamp (Plaudit), Star Fancy (Star Shoot), Shady (Broomstick), Understudy (Star Ruby), Flirtatious (Golden Garter), and Masquerade. Following his first season at stud, rumors abounded that Man o' War would return to racing, ostensibly at Saratoga, to attempt to earn the world earnings record (then held by Isinglass at some $45,000 ahead of Big Red). Also not setting well with trainer Louis Feustel was that Man o' War's world record for nine furlongs and American record for a mile had been usurped by mere pretenders. When questioned, a perturbed Riddle flatly stated, "There is no foundation for the report that I intend to permit Man o' War to race again … I have not made any reservation at Saratoga for Man o' War nor have I authorized anyone else to do so. I cannot understand how such a report was started." Man o' War's 1922 crop produced 12 named foals (seven colts and five fillies), some from mares to the list. His first foal, the Masquerade filly, was not among them. From those 12 foals came five stakes winners: Lady Comfey foaled the colt American Flag; Colette, the colt By Hisself; Star Fancy, the gelding Gun Boat; The Nurse produced the filly Florence Nightingale, and new to the list the Trasher (Trap Rock) filly Maid At Arms. Bathing Girl waited a few generations for her success with Man o' War. When bred to Riddle's pride and joy, her granddaughter Brushup (Sweep) foaled 1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral. In the era before official championships were awarded, American Flag won the Belmont Stakes among others and was declared unofficial champion 3-year-old male while Florence Nightingale took the Coaching Club American Oaks and a 3-year-old filly championship.