When someone asks, 'Which is the greatest race horse?', it's pretty much like asking me to pick the greatest superhero of all time. But when it comes to race horses, there are only a handful of legends that might make a case for greatest athletes; Man o’ War, Secretariat, Frankel - they all transformed the game. Let's take a closer look to see who rises to the top - and why.
Many experts refer to Man o' War as the best horse of the 20th century and maybe ever. He raced 21 times and won 20 of them. He won important races such as the Preakness and Belmont Stakes while carrying enormous weights. Some victories came by over 100 lengths. He often faced multiple competitors while still easily winning. His influence on breeding champions such as War Admiral and Seabiscuit continues to this day. He helped to shape what modern day racing excellence would be. Man o' War was named Horse of the Year and the Man o' War Stakes is run annually in his honor. He is often listed at #1 in all time rankings.
Secretariat is often referred to as the most well-known race horse of all time. In 1973 Secretariat raced to win the Triple Crown in record time: Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. He won the Belmont by 31 lengths, which is regarded as the greatest single performance the sport has ever seen. Every single one of his Triple Crown races still stands with record times decades later. Secretariat won Horse of the Year twice, set unassailable speed marks in racing, and is still the standard to which all great racing is compared to.
Frankel is a British horse that never lost a race, winning all 14 career starts, and re-written record books over varying distances. Frankel achieved a Timeform rating of 147, among the highest ratings of all time. In 2011 and 2012 he was the world’s highest-rated horse, and he won top tier races such as the 2000 Guineas and Queen Anne Stakes. Some suggest that what sets him apart, and gives him status as evenly among the greatest racehorses ever, is will and consistency in speed and quality.
Nijinsky trained by the world-renowned trainer Vincent O’Brien is the last horse to win what is now the UK Triple Crown (2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger) in 1970. Nijinsky was at the peak of powers in 1970, so won the UK Triple Crown in addition to winning 1970’s Timeform rating of 138, and the Horse of the Year honors. Some consider him the best European racehorse of the century.
In addition, consider:
These horses were all great in their own ways. On one hand there is Man o’ War, who beat the best competition in the worst possible circumstances to set the bar higher than others have ever done. On the other hand, Secretariat combined speed and entertainment value in races that still cause jaws to drop. Frankel is universally seen as unbeatable in modern turf racing. Nijinsky did something only one other horse has done, win the Triple Crown in Europe and do so with rare brilliance.
If forced to choose one, most historians favor Man o’ War as the true all-time champion due to his raw dominance and influential bloodlines. However, Secretariat receives almost equal regard for his strength and unmatched ability to set records, therefore they are both appropriate candidates in the "greatest."
These horses raced in different eras, conditions, and distances, but pushed horse racing to new levels. They electrified fans, raised the sport's profile, and became legends that were a breeding influence or cultural icon. Their narratives meld together a history of talent, heart, history, and records.
From Man o’ War's unstoppable stride, to Secretariat's record-setting Belmont, to Frankel's undefeated streak, each horse renewed the possibilities of what was possible on the track.
It is with great difficulty that a decision can be made for the greatest racehorse. Man o' War simply had the power and dominance that defined an era. Secretariat took the worlds breath away with his record breaking trip in the Triple Crown. Frankel had a perfect and unbeaten career. All their ability and presence in some way shaped racing history. Whether you favor bloodline, speed or heart-of-the greats, they all left hoof prints on the dirt that will never wash away.
Because of his extreme dominance over every other horse in his racing generation, and his stallion career establishing champion bloodlines, people most frequently consider Man o' War to be the greatest race horse of all time because of his high character and his winning 20 of his 21 total races.
Secretariat became a legend after winning the 1973 Triple Crown, with each of his respective times breaking each race distance for all three races. Secretariat's Belmont Stakes victory of 31 lengths has never been matched in horse racing before or since.
Yes, like Frankel there are some other great race horses who finished unbeaten in their racing careers. Frankel, by the way, retired unbeaten in all 14 of his races and some consider him to be one of the best examples of modern perfection in horse racing with a timeform rating of 147.
Great race horses can be measured by the quality of their wins that are regularly consistent and record-breaking, their influence through bloodlines, and their ability to dominate against the best horse racing every time they compete in their careers.
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