Getting Ready

Man o' War began training in September, 1918, at Berlin, Maryland, under Louis Feustel, and his early handling was difficult because he was high-spirited, threw jockey Henry Vititoe at Saratoga, resisted being saddled, inflated himself with air when his girth was tightened, and bolted his food, a habit that later contributed to painful colic. His trainers patiently taught him the habits needed for a race horse, and Major Trout, a calm hunter, became a soothing and inseparable stable companion through most of his life. His training was eased by his obvious love of running, and soon stable rumors spread about the potential of 'Big Red,' whose fast break and tremendous stride impressed observers including Johnny Loftus, who often exercised him and later rode him to nine victories in his first racing season. After a cold and a fever of 106 delayed his debut until June 6, 1919, Man o' War entered a five furlong maiden race at Belmont Park in New York with six other two-year-olds, and following Feustel's instruction to Loftus to hold him back at the start and then hurry after the field, he surged to the front within a hundred yards and won by six lengths in 59 seconds, finishing at a canter as the crowd erupted, beginning the legendary racing career of America's most storied Thoroughbred.

Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky · United States