Famous Racehorses of the Twentieth Century - By: Orchid Box1

The great racehorses of the twentieth century have been able to capture the public’s imagination and not just because of their unusual names, they could outpace their peers in a number of major races and a loveable disposition.

The first of the great racehorses was Man o’ War, a Thoroughbred born in the US in 1917 and lived until 1947. The name was given to the foal by the wife of the first owner (August Belmont Jr. 1851 to 1924) whilst her husband served in France during World War I at the age of 65! Man o’ War won nine out of ten races as a two year old including three stakes races in 17 days, earning him the 1919 United States Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt award. During 1919 and 1920 he had 16 major wins and was voted the United States Horse of the Year in 1920. During his two years of top level racing this striking horse set three world records, two American records and three track records.

Phar Lap was born in New Zealand in 1927 raised in Australia but died in 1932 after a sudden illness, some suspect he was poisoned! A great Thoroughbred champion, whose name translates to lightning in Thai and Chinese, he stood at 17.1 hands and his heart weighed approximately 6.2 kg compared to the average weight of 3.2 kg. During his four years of racing Phar Lap had 10 major wins between 1929 and 1932 including the Melbourne Cup and two Cox Plates.

Seabiscuit was a Thoroughbred born in the United States in 1933 who lived until 1947, he became an unlikely symbol of hope to the American people during the great depression – and had films and books written about his life. He was the Thoroughbred movie star with 8 major wins between 1937 and 1940, he was named US Horse of the Year in 1938 and received the US Champion Handicap Male award in 1937 and 1938.

Citation lived between 1945 and 1970 and one of three North American Thoroughbreds (Cigar and Zenyatta) to have won at least 16 major stakes race in a row, including 14 major wins between 1947 and 1951 including the Kentucky Derby and the first horse to earn one million dollars! Although Man o’ War and Secretariant are ranked higher that Citation in the top 100 US thoroughbred champions list, he has 27 victories in 29 races whereas Man o’ War and Secretariant raced 21 times.

Red Rum was born in Ireland in 1965 and died 1995, although he suffered a painful bone disease in his foot he achieved legendary status by winning the Grand National three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977 a Grand Slam treble, whilst he came second in 1975 and 1976. His owner Ginger McCain would take Red Rum for therapeutic swims in the Southport sea before every Grand National race.

Secretariant was born in the US in 1970 and had one of the biggest hearts of the great racehorses, weighing a staggering 9 kg, he won 16 of his 21 races including 14 major wins. Amazingly his record at both the 1973 Belmont Stakes and Kentucky Derby still stands and was faster than Man o’ War. Unfortunately this wonderful horse also suffered from a painful bone disease in the foot and was put down in 1989.

Desert Orchid lived between 1979 and 2006 in the UK and gained legendary status in National Hunt Racing with 17 major wins, including winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park 4 times in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. After retiring in 1991 he returned to Kempton Park every year to lead out the parade of runners for the King George VI Chase.

About the Author

Kempton Park is a premiere horse racing venue, with many fine racehorses gracing the track including the amazing Desert Orchid who is honoured with a fine statue and a race named the Desert Orchid Chase. Other notable horse racing fixtures at Kempton Park include the Grade 1 National Hunt, King George VI Chase which encompasses 18 jumps over three miles held every Boxing Day.

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