Man o' War Stakes

History

The event is named in honor of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame Champion Man o' War who was selected as No. 1 in the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.

The inaugural running of the event was on 24 October 1959 at the newly reopened Aqueduct Racetrack as the Man o' War Handicap over a distance of miles. The event attracted 23 entrants thus enabling NYRA to run the event as two split divisions with a record total purse of $225,100. The event attracted some of the finest long distance turf horses including British bred Tudor Era who was first past the post in the 1958 Washington D.C. International at Laurel but was disqualified. Tudor Era would win the Second Division of the event as the favorite defeating Marlow Road by 3 lengths with Anisado in third place in a time of 2:41 flat. In 1960 the event was held at Belmont Park with the 37-1 Harmonizing defeating Bald Eagle and the 1959 U.S. Horse of the Year Sword Dancer. Bald Eagle would go on and win the Washington D.C. International and would be crowded U.S. Champion Older Male Horse.

The event was moved back Aqueduct in 1961 at a longer distance of one and five-eighths miles with handicap conditions. NYRA by scheduling the event in October established New York as a logical and natural place for international and top US turf runners to prepare for the Washington D.C. International which was considered as the forerunner to the Breeders' Cup Turf and the championship long distance turf race. The 1962 renewal of the event as the Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park was run with Weight for Age conditions. The winner, 20-1 longshot Beau Purple who set a track record of 2:28.60 for the miles in defeating a group of highly talented entrants, including 1961 U.S. Horse of the Year and last winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup Kelso in second, former English based The Axe II in third, who would win this event the following year, Wise Ship in fourth, who won this event in 1961 and the 1961 Kentucky Derby winner Carry Back who finished fifth. Other starters included 1962 Belmont Stakes winner Jaipur, T.V. Lark, Honey Dear, Guadalcanal and the 1960 winner of this event Harmonizing.

The event was held at Aqueduct from 1963 to 1967 while Belmont Park was under reconstruction. On return to Belmont Park in 1968 a host of champions would win the event. In 1969 the South African bred Champion Three-year-old Hawaii would win the event and would be crowned U.S. Champion Turf Horse. The following year, in 1970 Fort Marcy would finally win the event after four tries including twice second (1967, 1968) and third to Hawaii in 1969. In 1970 Fort Marcy also won the Washington D.C. International for the second time and was crowned U.S. Horse of the Year. The 1971 winner Run the Gantlet was also victorious in the Washington D.C. International and was crowned U.S. Champion Turf Horse. In 1972 the event was won by the six year old mare Typecast and she would be crowned U.S. Champion Older Female Horse.

In 1973 the first year the classification system was enacted, the event was set with Grade I status. The 1973 winner was the U.S. Triple Crown Champion, Secretariat. Secretariat was to have his first start on the grass and nine days after he was beaten in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes over miles. Nonetheless, Secretariat would win the event by 5 lengths as the 1/2 odds-on favorite setting a new track record of 2:24. Secretariat would be awarded U.S. Champion Turf Horse and U.S. Horse of the Year.

In 1974 the event was won by the French based mare Dahlia who had earlier campaigned in England and France. Dahlia would win the Canadian International Stakes in her next start and would be crowned U.S. Champion Turf Horse.

In 1977 NYRA introduced the Turf Classic over the same distance of miles that was held in November. The scheduling of the Man o' War Stakes would be affected in that NYRA would try and space out the time between the dates that the events were held in the fall. In 1978 the distance of the event was decreased by one furlong to the current distance of miles. The event that year was won by the French bred Waya and would win the Turf Classic two weeks later. In 1979 Bowl Game was able complete the treble in capturing the Man o' War Stakes, Turf Classic and Washington D.C. International. Such a feat earned Bowl Game U.S. Champion Turf Horse honors for 1979.

With the introduction of the Breeders' Cup in 1984 with the Breeders' Cup Turf the Man o' War Stakes become a major preparatory event in the early fall.

Irish bred Theatrical won the event in October 1987 at Aqueduct after also winning the Turf Classic which was scheduled earlier in September and then went on to also win the Breeders' Cup Turf at Hollywood Park. Theatrical was crowned U.S. Champion Turf Horse for 1987. Other fine horses to have completed the Man o' War-Turf Classic double include 1988 winner Sunshine Forever, 1989 winner Yankee Affair and 1991 winner Solar Splendor who set a new stakes record of 2:12:01 as a 24-1 longshot on the inner turf track. Solar Splendor would repeat winning the event the following year on the main turf track this time setting a new course record of 2:12.45. In 1999 Val's Prince also completed the NYRA Turf double but failed to spark in the Breeders' Cup Turf finishing eleventh.

The 2005 winner Better Talk Now won the event setting a new stakes record in 2:11.65. Better Talk Now had won the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2004 at Lone Star Park.

In 2008 the Man o' War was moved from Belmont's fall schedule into its summer schedule, replacing the Bowling Green Handicap in an attempt to more fairly represent turf competition. Also that year the conditions of the event were changed from Weight for Age to stakes with allowances.

In 2014 the event was scheduled in May and the conditions of the event were changed so that three-year-olds would not be allowed to enter.

In 2017 the event was won by the five-year-old Irish bred mare Zhukova who started as the 9/10 odds-on favorite and set a new stakes winning margin by 6 lengths over Taghleeb in a small field of five starters in a time of 2:25.31 on a yielding track in rainy weather. Zhukova was the fifth mare to have had won the event after Dotted Line (1959), Typecast (1973), Dahlia (1974) and Waya (1978).

In 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, NYRA did not schedule the event in their updated and shortened spring-summer meeting.

In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Grade II status. Also the event was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack due to infield tunnel and redevelopment work at Belmont Park.

Records

Time record:

• miles – 2:11.65 – Better Talk Now (2005)
• miles – 2:24.80 – Secretariat (1973)
• miles – 2:42.60 – Hill Rise (1965)

Margins:

• 6 lengths – Zhukova (IRE) (2017)

Most wins:

• 2 – Majesty's Prince (1983, 1984)
• 2 – Solar Splendor (1991, 1992)
• 2 – Gio Ponti (2009, 2010)
• 2 – With Anticipation (2001, 2002)

Most wins by an owner:

• 3 – Rokeby Stable (1970, 1971, 1986)
• 3 – Phipps Stable (2012, 2013, 2014)
• 3 – Godolphin (1998, 2000, 2024)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 5 – Jorge Velásquez (1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1979)

Most wins by a trainer:

• 4 – MacKenzie Miller (1966, 1969, 1975, 1986)

Winners

Notes: § Ran as an entry ƒ Filly or Mare † In the 1975 running of the event One On The Aisle was first past the post but was disqualified for interference in the straight and was placed second. Snow Knight was declared the official winner of the event.

References

References

1. Ross, Scott. (April 18, 2013). "Horse of the Century: Man o' War vs. Secretariat". nbcbayarea.com.
2. (2021). "MAN O' WAR STAKES - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database.
3. (2021). "History of Belmont Park". [[New York Racing Association]].
4. (2021). "Man o' War Stakes (Gr. 1)".
5. (20 November 1977). "Cauthen is aboard as Johnny D. wins (1977 Turf Classic – race 8: ''held 19 November 1977'')". [[The Record (North Jersey).
6. (19 May 2020). "NYRA announces stakes schedule for 25 day Belmont Park spring summer meet". [[New York Racing Association]].
7. (16 December 2023). "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2024". [[Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association]].
8. (January 24, 2024). "NYRA sets 2024 calendar, with Belmont Stakes at Saratoga". [[New York Racing Association]].
9. (10 May 2025). "2025 Man o' War Stakes Grade 2 - (race 2)". Equibase.
10. (11 May 2024). "2024 Man o' War Stakes Grade 2 - (race 7)". Equibase.
11. (13 May 2023). "2023 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
12. (14 May 2022). "2022 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
13. (8 May 2021). "2021 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase.
14. (11 May 2019). "2019 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase.
15. (12 May 2018). "2018 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 11)". Equibase.
16. (13 May 2017). "2017 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
17. (14 May 2016). "2016 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase.
18. (9 May 2015). "2015 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
19. (11 May 2014). "2014 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
20. (13 July 2013). "2013 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
21. (14 July 2012). "2012 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
22. (9 July 2011). "2011 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
23. (10 July 2010). "2010 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
24. (11 July 2009). "2009 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
25. (12 July 2008). "2008 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
26. (8 September 2007). "2007 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
27. (9 September 2006). "2006 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
28. (10 September 2005). "2005 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
29. (11 September 2004). "2004 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
30. (6 September 2003). "2003 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
31. (7 September 2002). "2002 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
32. (8 September 2001). "2001 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
33. (9 September 2000). "2000 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
34. (11 September 1999). "1999 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 10)". Equibase.
35. (12 September 1998). "1998 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 9)". Equibase.
36. (21 September 1997). "1997 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
37. (14 September 1996). "1996 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
38. (16 September 1995). "1995 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
39. (17 September 1994). "1994 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
40. (18 September 1993). "1993 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
41. (19 September 1992). "1992 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 7)". Equibase.
42. (22 September 1991). "1991 Man o' War Stakes Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase.
43. (24 September 1990). "English invader Defensive Play slogs to victory in Man o' War – (race 8: held 23 September 1990)". [[The Courier-Journal]].
44. Finley, Bill. (24 September 1989). "Yankee Affair pulls away, takes Man o' War by 5 1/2 – (race 8: held 23 September 1989)". [[New York Daily News]].
45. (25 September 1988). "Cordero guides Sunshine Forever victory in $596,000 Man o' War – (race 8: held 24 September 1988)". [[The Courier-Journal]].
46. (25 October 1987). "Theatrical captures Man o' War Stakes for 5th Grade 1 win – (race 8: held 24 October 1987)". [[Lexington Herald-Leader]].
47. (12 October 1986). "Dance of Life wins Man o' War – (race 8: held 11 October 1986)". [[The Record (North Jersey).
48. (13 October 1985). "Win Takes Man o' War by a Neck – (race 8: held 12 October 1985)". [[Hartford Courant]].
49. (9 September 1984). "'Prince' Wins 2nd Straight Man o' War – (race 8: held 8 September 1984)". [[Hartford Courant]].
50. Whelan, Tom. (2 October 1983). "Majesty's Prince reigns supreme at Belmont Park – (race 8: held 1 October 1983)". [[The Journal News.
51. Harris, Russ. (4 October 1982). "Naskra's Breeze sprints past Sprink in Man o' War – (race 8: held 3 October 1982)". [[New York Daily News]].
52. (4 October 1981). "Galaxy Libra takes Man o' War in record time – (race 8: held 3 October 1981)". [[The Record (North Jersey).
53. Whelan, Tom. (4 October 1980). "French Colonial tops mate in Man o' War – (race 8: held 3 October 1980)". [[The Journal News.
54. (9 October 1979). "Bowl Game wins at Belmont – (race 8: held 8 October 1979)". [[Central New Jersey Home News]].
55. (8 October 1978). "Waya Wins Man O'War, is doubtful for Laurel – (race 8: held 7 October 1978)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
56. (9 October 1977). "Majestic Light Wins Man O'War Stakes – (race 8: held 8 October 1977)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
57. Adair, Bob. (12 October 1976). "Effervescing takes Man o' War;... – (race 8: held 11 October 1976)". [[The Courier-Journal]].
58. (12 October 1975). "Snow Knight triumphs after foul is claimed – (race 8: held 11 October 1975)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
59. (13 October 1974). "Dahlia Captures Man o' War Stakes – (race 8: held 12 October 1974)". [[Hartford Courant]].
60. Boniface, William. (9 October 1973). "Secretariat wins Man o' War Stakes and sets grass record – (race 7: held 10 October 1973)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
61. McCulley, Jim. (10 October 1972). "Typecast $6.60 Winner After Last-Place Start – (race 7: held 9 October 1972)". [[New York Daily News]].
62. (17 October 1971). "Run the Gantlet Wins Man o' War Stakes – (race 7: held 16 October 1971)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
63. (18 October 1970). "Fort Marcy Wins Easily; 6-Year-old Gelding Romps In Man 'O War Stakes – (race 7: held 17 October 1970)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
64. (19 October 1969). "Hawaii Breaks Course Record In Belmont Win – (race 7: held 18 October 1969)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
65. Zamarelli, Don. (20 October 1968). "Czar Alexander Romps – (race 7: held 19 October 1967)". [[The Record (North Jersey).
66. (22 October 1967). "40-1 Ruffled Feathers Edges Fort Marcy by Head in N.Y. – (race 7: held 21 October 1967)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
67. (23 October 1966). "Assagai Drifts, Then Rallies To Take Man O' War 'Cap – (race 7: held 22 October 1966)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
68. (24 October 1965). "Hill Rise Wins Man O' War At Aqueduct; Ycaza Rides Easy Winner; Knightly Manner Is Second, Or Et Argent Third – (race 7: held 23 October 1965)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
69. (25 October 1964). "Turbo Jet 2nd Beats Gun Bow By 3/4 Length at Aqueduct – (race 7: held 24 October 1964)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
70. (3 November 1963). "Favored Axe II Wins Easily, Never Bend Runs Tired 10th – (race 7: held 2 November 1963)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
71. (28 October 1962). "Beau Purple Beats Kelso; Carry Back Runs 5th As 20-1 Shot Hangs Up Record At Belmont; Victor, Under Boland Scores By 6 1/2 Lengths – (race 7: held 27 October 1962)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
72. (30 July 1961). "Wise Ship Wins Man 'O War 'Cap At Aqueduct; Harmonizing Is Second And Geechee Lou Third – (race 7: held 29 July 1961)". [[Baltimore Sun]].
73. (23 October 1960). "Harmonizing Wins Man o' War Stakes; Outruns Sword Dancer, Bald Eagle at Belmont – (race 8: held 22 October 1960)". [[Hartford Courant]].
74. (25 October 1959). "Dotted Line, Tudor Era 1st In N.Y. Races – (race 6: held 24 October 1959)". [[Philadelphia Inquirer]].
75. (25 October 1959). "Dotted Line, Tudor Era Man 'O War Victors – (race 7: held 24 October 1959)". [[Lexington Leader]].