War Admiral
Man o' War - Brushup by Sweep
War Admiral was a legendary American Thoroughbred racehorse who dominated the racing scene in the late 1930s. Foaled in 1934, he was the son of the great Man o’ War and quickly proved himself to be a worthy heir to his sire’s legacy. Trained by George Conway and owned by Samuel D. Riddle, War Admiral achieved his greatest fame in 1937 when he won the American Triple Crown, capturing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in impressive fashion. His Belmont Stakes victory was particularly notable, as he set a new track record despite injuring himself at the start of the race.
War Admiral’s excellence extended beyond his Triple Crown triumph. He won 21 of his 26 career starts and was named Horse of the Year in 1937. However, he is perhaps best remembered for his match race against Seabiscuit in 1938, known as the “Match of the Century”. Despite being heavily favored, War Admiral was defeated by Seabiscuit in this highly anticipated event. Nevertheless, this race only added to War Admiral’s legendary status, and he retired as one of the most celebrated horses of his era. After his racing career, he became a successful sire, further cementing his influence on the Thoroughbred breed.