This horse is incredible. Break it down any way you want, Man O'War wins almost every conceivable category and is close in the rest. His track-record set % and average lowering are well above average, even for that easy-pickin's day & age which is what the detractors usually try to use against him. Never mind that amongst those 8 TRs (1 was an equal), he included 2 American and 3 world records - a feat almost unheard of, in % of starts. The records are further validated by the fact he usually beat the opposition by a believable margin, considering how badly he lowered a record. MOW carried weight averaging 127 lbs and CONCEDED to others (much more important) an average of 12 lbs, maximum of some 30 lbs. He raced frequently, about every 12 days, raced on various conditions and won, and even overcame *race-time* obstacles - real obstacles instead of obtuse - such as damaging tendons or not starting properly, to win and often set records. MOW also used no special equipment at all - no hoods, no bandages, special bits, nothing. His talent included staying together, sound, and staying focused. He was ALL about racing. The ultimate machine. His biggest knock is that few horses faced him as a 3yo - they were scared away. That wasn't because of small foal crops - horse races averaged about the same # of horses as they do now. MOW entered the original Jockey Club Gold Cup (nee: Stakes) open to all but geldings, and no elders even entered. See my site for data http://hometown.aol.com/rebelkris/manowar.html