Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-11-23
BY GEORGE BUCHANAN FIFE

~A~&SN6 - ~&4$A&N 4@&A = AZ -
MEDIA, Pa.-At intervals into the
world come super-creatures. Occa-
sionally they are women. Less fire.
quently they are horses. But they
have this in common: They are
chronicled for their beauty or clever
ness, or both, and, with rare excep-
tions, for their speed.
This is a chronicle of Man o. War,
the super-horse if all time, and 1t
will be found to be far more in
innate prying into his personal af-
fairs than chivalry would permit
were a lady involved. Yet, as one
observes and inquiries into the life
and surroundings of this thorough
bred creature, ones mind involun-
tarily conjures a comparison with the
ceremonials which encompassed the
worlds super-women.
Certainly not one of these was
ever more assiduously cared for
pampered, if you will-than Fair
plays famous son, No four-tooteo
animals and few two-footed ones
watchfu1 care than is given the clock
around to Man O. War. Kings IA
vorites and Pashas' leading ladies are
said to have had even rumpled rose
leaves removed from their beds that
they might rest the easier. If Man
O. War so much as stirs in his sleep
there are two handmen (masculine
for the handmaiden) at his bedside
in a tWinkling, to see that his blanket
is not creased beneath him. And they
know he's far more worthy of the
attention than some Of the women
Of history.
Three worlds Records
Granted that Man O. War does re-
ceive the assiduously watchful care
given to opera singers, crown Jewels
and the sons of multi-mllllonalres,
pampering an animal that is without
an equal on the American turf, that
holds three worlds records, several
American records, and has won
total of $249,265 for his owner. rms
season alone he has amassed purses
to the amount of $165,940. His race
with Sir Bartin, in Canada, wherein
the horsemen across the Dorder
looked to see his colors lowered, was
an eight-lengths' victory for Man O
War, to say nothing Of the tact ina I
a purse of $4,000 and a $4,000 gold
cub were the trophies he. brought
home with him for his mile and a
quarter gallop around the kenil-
worth park track. And this is the
horse which, as a yearling, two years
ago, Major August Belmont MS
breeder, sold for $4,000.
4ric, it is a fact that his present
owner refused last June an ofter LOT
him which was conveyed in a signed
check. drawn in blank and to pc
filled out in any sum that seemed 10
represent his great valve faf 0aty l' of
W y2od od he f oe5e Man q War 721 0AAs
care not that at Man O. War receives
com comes Of the fact that he is prac-
tically. Worshiiped by two u1.1 " woR Rfd.
die, the wife of his owner. and the
other Mrs. Walter Jeffords, their
adopted niece. They have attended
every race meet in which he mas
run; they have spent hours in ms
stall; have watched him at exercise
and in training and. as both are ex *
much good advice as to his handing.
When he is entered in any event
there is a family council over MN,
a very earnest discussion. as TO MS
and how he should be ridden against
i Recently the council met to dis
cuss sending Man O War to Eng
land to compete Tor the ASCOT Solu
cup. Both Mrs. Riddle and Mrs.
Jeffords were for entering him, GER.
tain that he would capture this turf
But Mr.. Riddle and Louis Feus-
tel, Man O. Wars capable trainer
were opposed, for a variety OF rea-
sons. And at this writing it seems
quite a settled thing that this great
horse has run his last race and is to
live out the remainder of his life in
the high estate of sultan in the Rid
die stud.
While much of the attention be-
slowed upon Man @ War may ap-
pear to be pampering, it is in real
(ty the Expression Of the highest
care that man can give to any dumb
creature. 1t would never do fer
anything to happen to this super
horse, either through neglect or bad
Judgment. Nor would it ever have
done for him to lose the magic OF
his speed. He had to be kept al
ways in the top-notch of condition,
and horsemen have learned that this
can be achieved only by an almost
inspired Watchfulness. His life Sc
far has been a combination Of days
of work. of moments of tense excite
ment, of periods of royal resting.