Thoroughbred racing history, facts & stories worth preserving
A richly illustrated documentation of the Thoroughbred, Man o’ War, Dr. Fager, and the enduring relationship between horses and people.
The original Big Red
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Most sports fans know Secretariat as “Big Red.” But few realize the nickname was originally forged 53 years earlier for Man o’ War—and it was not just about his chestnut color. Sportswriters gave him the title because of his total, terrifying athletic dominance.
He carried up to 138 pounds in heavy iron shoes on unsealed tracks, won by up to 100 lengths, was almost always the odds-on favorite, and scared off competition so thoroughly that owners often withdrew their horses rather than face certain defeat. He won 20 of 21 races. His only loss came by a neck after a fluke starting-tape mishap left him facing in the wrong direction and another jockey intentionally boxed him in.
“The only Thoroughbred in history with two Daily Racing Form speed ratings above 130.”
Only Dr. Fager has one rating above 130. A rating of 120 is extremely rare; Citation, Swaps, and Spectacular Bid achieved it. Secretariat’s best was his Belmont Stakes victory at 118.
Often overlooked is Man o’ War’s unparalleled pedigree presence. When four separate panels of equine experts ranked the greatest racehorses of the twentieth century, the original Big Red stood alone at number one in every poll, with Secretariat second.
In The Blood-Horse ranking, he anchors the pedigree of eight of the top sixteen horses: Kelso, Dr. Fager, Forego, Seattle Slew, Affirmed, War Admiral, Buckpasser, and Damascus. This monograph presents the details.
David J. Cade’s historical perspective
Long-form research, photographs, documents, and personal reflections— presented in a permanent home built for reading and discovery.