Is Secretariat Related to Man O War?
The world of thoroughbred racing has long been fascinated by the legendary connections between some of the sport’s most iconic horses. One of the most famous and enduring questions in equine history is whether Secretariat, the legendary 1973 Triple Crown winner, is related to Man O War, the mighty 1919 Triple Crown winner. The answer to this question may surprise you.
Is Secretariat Related to Man O War?
Short answer: Yes, Secretariat is related to Man O War!
Long answer: Secretariat and Man O War have a complex and fascinating ancestral connection. To understand the relationship, let’s dig into the history of Thoroughbred breeding and some key points about the sire lines of both horses.
Thoroughbred Ancestry
Thoroughbred horses are bred by crossing the native English thoroughbred with the Arabian or Barb stallions. These early crossings resulted in strong, athletic horses with significant endurance and speed. Fast forward to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when selective breeding and careful lineages were developed to create bloodlines with specific characteristics, such as speed, durability, and intelligence.
Man O War’s Family Tree
Man O War, foaled in 1917, was born from the mare Maskette, a daughter of Dark Ronald, out of Florizzo, a mare by the influential sire Orvus. Man O War’s sire, Papalino, was a son of the great Ben Brush and a grandson of Virgil, a bloodline that would later branch out to produce Man O War’s line.
Secretariat’s Family Tree
Secretariat, foaled in 1970, was born from the mare Somethingroyal, a daughter of Princequillo and Imperatrice, a mare by Caruso. His sire, Bold Ruler, was a dominant force in the breeding barn, siring numerous stallions and mares and earning a reputation as an exceptional sire.
Where the Lines Converge
Now, let’s look at the key: Man O War‘s sire, Papalino, was by Ben Brush, the same sire that Florizel, one of Man O War’s dams, was out of Florizel’s dam, Almahmoud, being a daughter of Vindex, a son of Virgil Man O War also has a Virgil branch through his grandsire, Dark Ronald. Secretariat, on the other hand, has a Ben Brush branch through Bold Ruler, and Princequillo’s sire, Fleet Nasr, the son of Venezuelan, a direct descendant of Virgil.
The Final Connection
Here’s the crucial point: Almahmoud, which is a daughter of Vindex, is actually the granddam of Somethingroyal, making Man O War’s dam, Florizel, Secretariat’s great-uncle! Essentially, Secretariat and Man O War both have a common ancestor: Virgil, which is why they’re related.
Table: Ancestral Connection Table
| Ancestor | Man O War | Secretariat |
|---|---|---|
| Virgil | 4x (great-great-great-grandson) | 4x (great-great-great-grandson) |
| Ben Brush | 5x (great-great-great-great-great-grandson) | 4x (great-great-great-great-grandson) |
Conclusion
In summary, Secretariat and Man O War are related in a complex, multi-step manner, with both stallions tracing their ancestry to the same influential sire lines. The connection is mainly through Virgil, with Ben Brush serving as a branch point for both lines.
Why Does This Connection Matter?
Understanding this connection highlights the importance of careful breeding and the passage of desirable traits through subsequent generations. It also underlines the significance of key sires and dams that have shaped the Thoroughbred breed over time.
