Man o' War: His Retirement and Death

When his racing career was finished, Man o' War returned to Glen Riddle Farm for the winter. Then, on January 28, 1921, he was ridden under his racing silks in Lexington, Kentucky. His first stud season was at Hinata Farm. Next he moved to Faraway Farms, where he met his old stablemate, Golden Broom. He sired many 386 foals, including Seabiscuit and War Admiral.

 He was so famous that thousands of people came to see him in his retirement. In fact, he was one of the biggest tourist attractions in the U.S.

 On November 1, 1947, Man o' War died at age 30. He had been sick for months, thrashing around in his stall until he finally died. After his death, his body was embalmed, and he was lowered into a oak casket with the aid of a homemade sling.

 An estimated 2000 people came to his funeral on November 4, 1947. Sixteen pin oak trees were planted around the grave, symbolizing his sixteen years at stud, and the thirty hornbeam trees that lined the path to his grave in his paddock at Faraway Farms marked his age. Samuel Riddle was not present, but he sent yellow and white carnations to lay on the grave. The event was so big that nine eulogies were read from, and it was broadcasted on the radio so that people all over the country would hear of the death of the great horse.

  Every racetrack throughout the country held a moments silence the time of the funeral, 3 PM, to honor the mighty horse.

Man o' War's gravesite is still marked by a
statue in the Kentucky Horse Park(click here for original photo).

 A few days after the funeral, he was moved to Kentucky Horse Park, where all could see his gravesite, which was marked by a statue.

 Even today, people still honor this great horse. His statue still marks his gravesite, and there is even a race named for him.