We all know the story about Secretariat; it's even been made into a movie. Along with Man o' War, he is considered to be the best horse of all time. Even ESPN counted Secretariat as on of the Top 50 Athletes of the 20th Century during their countdown in 1999.
Secretariat (March 30, 1970 – October 4, 1989), also known as Big Red, was a champion American thoroughbred racehorse who is the ninth winner of the American Triple Crown, setting and still holding the fastest time record in all three races.
Man O' War's record was 20 wins, 1 place. Secretariat had 16 wins, 3 place and 1 show. If happenstance had placed the two stallions in the same time warp, it would have seemed as if twins were sent to thrill the sporting world for a few brief, magical years... and settle the issue once and for all.
The appropriately named Upset (4), ridden by Willie Knapp, holds off Man o' War, with Johnny Loftus up, to win the Sanford Memorial in Saratoga, N.Y. It was the only defeat in 21 races for Man o' War, who quickly became a legend.
The horse Phar Lap is a legend of Australian sporting history. His sensational rise from humble beginnings captured the public's imagination during the difficult years of the 1930s Depression. Phar Lap won 37 races from 51 starts, including the 1930 Melbourne Cup.
Within a few hours, Phar Lap haemorrhaged to death. An autopsy revealed that the horse's stomach and intestines were inflamed, leading many to believe the horse had been deliberately poisoned. There have been alternative theories, including accidental poisoning from lead insecticide and a stomach condition.
Phar Lap was initially a failure as a racehorse, losing his first four races. However, in his four year career, Phar Lap won 37 of the 51 races in which he was entered, including the 1930 Melbourne Cup.
Secretariat maintained the top spot all the way to the finish line while setting a record-time finish at the Pimlico Race Course at 1:53 on the dot. The performance left spectators shocked and helped skyrocket the fame and reputation of Secretariat.
Zippy Chippy won the hearts of many fans. Zippy Chippy was a racehorse but he never won a single race. In his 100 races, he came close a few times, but he just never understood why all the other horses were in such a rush, reported CBS News.
Sergeant Reckless is America's greatest warhorse. During the Korean War, Reckless carried ammunition to the front lines and helped rescue wounded soldiers. She's pictured here at Camp Pendleton in 1957.
Sham (April 9, 1970 – April 3, 1993) was an American thoroughbred race horse and leading three year-old in 1973, who was overshadowed by his more famous peer, Secretariat.
On this day, in 1938 in a famous race between two legendary horses, Seabiscuit beat reigning Triple Crown winner War Admiral in a match race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
War Admiral caught his rival and the two rode side by side to the top of the stretch. Then Seabiscuit sprinted ahead. Some said he had more in reserve; others said he had greater heart. He won by four lengths, clocking in at 1 minute, 56 and 3/5 seconds, a track record.
Man O' War is commonly known as the greatest racehorse in history. What horse has never lost a race? Australia based “Black Caviar” retired with a 25-0 racing record.
Secretariat – Maybe the most well-known racehorse of all time was the first in racing history to be awarded the Horse of the Year Award. His US Triple Crown performances ingrained his place in history. He became the first racehorse to win the Kentucky Derby – starting from last place – winning in under 2-minutes.
Shergar was stolen from the Aga Khan's stud farm by an armed gang on 8 February 1983. Negotiations were conducted with the thieves, but the gang broke off all communication after four days when the syndicate did not accept as true the proof provided that the horse was still alive.
It is considered the best of horses, the prototype and the king of the horses. Uchchaihshravas is often described as a vahana ("vehicle") of Indra (the king of the gods), but is also recorded to be the horse of Bali, the king of the asuras (demons). Uchchaihshravas is said to be snow white in colour.
After failed attempts to demand money for the stallion, gentle Shergar was brutally killed and his body was never found. The most famous and valuable racehorse in the world, Shergar had won the 1981 Epsom Derby by ten lengths, which is the longest winning margin in the race's 202-year history.
The Mongol Derby is the longest and toughest horse race in the world. We don't say that lightly. A decade after launching the race that title is still being backed up by riders year after year. In 1224 man of the millennium Chinggis Khaan set up the world's first long-distance postal transmission system.
Geldings have won each of the individual races, but like fillies, no gelding has ever won the Triple Crown. The closest was Funny Cide, who won the Derby and the Preakness in 2003.
Have you heard the name Seattle Slew? He won the Derby in 1977? "He sold at auction for $17,500," Chris said. "Went on to win the Triple Crown, and also had a successful breeding career."
Sadly, Phar Lap died on April 5, 1932 at only five years old. Woodcock found the horse in severe pain and running a high temperature. Within a few hours, Phar Lap died in Woodcock's arms. An autopsy was performed and it was revealed that the gelding's stomach and intestines were inflamed.
Phar Lap Wins the 1930 Melbourne Cup | National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
Phar Lap had 51 starts for 37 wins, three seconds and two thirds. Winx had 43 starts for 37 wins and three seconds. Phar Lap contested the Cox Plate twice for two wins. Winx was unbeaten in four Plates.