History's top 10 legends of the track

The 10 most renowned racehorses of all time boast numerous record-setting achievements.

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MAN O' WAR

Sex: stallion

Foaled: 29 March 1917 at Nursery Stud in Lexington, Kentucky, US.

Appearance: chestnut, with a white star and stripe on his forehead.

Height: 16,2hh

Stride: 28ft

Earnings: US$249 465 (equal to US$3 988 932,88, or R72 961 371,86, in 2025)

Trainer: Louis Feustel

Retired: 1920

Claim to fame: flat racing

Man o’ War is considered by many to be the greatest American racehorse of the 20th century. His dominance was legendary, winning 20 of his 21 races with incredible ease.

He was bred by August Belmont Jr, and sired by Fair Play, a multiple stakes winner who finished second in the 1908 Belmont Stakes to the undefeated Colin. His dam was Mahubah, a lightly raced mare. Shortly after he was foaled, Belmont Jr joined the US Army at the age of 65 and served during World War I. His wife named the foal Man o’ War in honour of her husband.

In 1918, Man o’ War was sold at the Saratoga Yearling Sale for US$5 000 (about US$106 000, or R1,9 million in 2025) to Samuel D Riddle, and the foal was moved to Glen Riddle Farm in Berlin, Maryland.

In addition to his many accolades, Man o’ War's most notable wins included the Belmont Stakes in 1920. He won this race by a staggering 20 lengths, setting a new world record for the mile and three-eighths distance. This victory showcased his incredible stamina and speed.

Another significant victory was during the 1920 Kenilworth Park Gold Cup.