If you could have a match race between any two thoroughbreds past or present, who would they be?

Question

I would have loved to have seen Man O' War and Secretariat go head to head. Or perhaps Ruffian against Personal Ensign?

Answer 1

Ruffian and Secretariat... the best filly against the best colt

I would also love to see Secretariat v Man O War... but then we'd have nothing to argue about because we'd know who was best ;o)

I guess we don't have Match Races any more for a reason, but I never really considered it being harder for the horses. I wonder if there's actually been more breakdowns in the match races in comparison... they used to do mostly match races in Man O War's time from what I understand. I wonder if the times in those races are faster than other races too. They didn't do Match races in Ruffian's time either... they had to enter a 3rd horse then scatch it before the race to make it legal... the Belmont winner that year. I don't think it would matter though if there was the 2 or the 3... if she stepped in that spot in that way, it would have happened just the same... poor little filly :o( I just love her...

Answer 2

I'm not real big on match races, because of the large element of luck involved. In a match race, if you're caught flat-footed at the break, or stumble a little, or are off slow, you're pretty much toast and the result isn't necessarily the best horse winning.

So how 'bout we card two races, both at 1-1/4 miles on the main track, and we hold them at Churchill Downs. One will be for colts and geldings, one will be for fillies and mares. Both races limited to 12 runners.

For the fillies and mares, the field will be Ruffian, Susan's Girl, Dahlia, Personal Ensign, Makybe Diva, Triptych, Ouija Board, Genuine Risk, Shuvee, Busher, All Along, and Bayakoa.

For the colts and geldings, we'll have Man O' War, Secretariat, Native Dancer, Brigadier Gerard, Count Fleet, Phar Lap, Sysonby, *Ribot, Kelso, Might and Power, Nijinsky II, Nashua.

First three finishers in each race invited to participate in a series of three races: a 6-furlong sprint on the main track, a 1-mile race on the flat, run over the straight Rowley Mile Guineas course in England, a 1-1/4 mile race on the main track, and a 1-1/2 mile on the turf. Three points awarded for a victory, 2 points for a second, 1 point for a third. Champion to be deemed the horse that wins the most points. Races to be run at 8 week intervals.

Now that would be something to anticipate...

Answer 3

It would have to be Man O' War vs. Secretariat, 1-1/2 miles at Laurel Park (track chosen so I can go watch it live).

One race for the title "Greatest US Thoroughbred ever".

Looking at Bloodhorse's ranking of top 100 horses of the 20th century, I can't fathom why they would rank Man O' War #1 and Secretariat #2. Since I have not seen either run (except Secretariat on film), I think that would be the best match race you could have.

And to those who are particularly observant, you CAN run the 1-1/2 miles at Laurel, starting out of the mile chute and finishing on the backstretch.

To the asker (and to any answerers that may be interested), I recommend a book "The Great Match Race" by John Eisenberg, a story about an actual race that was the biggest sporting event in the U.S to that time, a race between the best Northern horse, (American) Eclipse, and the best Southern horse, Sir Henry, in pre-Civil War America.

Answer 4

I'm with you on both of your ideas. I have always wondered who was better, Secretariat or Man O' War. Also, when I first entered this thread my first thought was Ruffian and Personal Ensign because they were both so incredible.

Answer 5

I've been following racing closely since the 90's so I will stick with the era I know best.

For The Boys: Tincin v. Ricks Natural Star with the winner (or maybe it should be the looser) facing Zippy Chippy

For The Girls: Dance Smartly v. Serena's Song
(it would also be fun to see a race with their progeny running against each other. Serena's Song's colts hold the edge over Dance Smartly's, but Dancethruthedawn could take out any of Serena's fillies and maybe even the boys)

Answer 6

I see nothing wrong with match races. I know one of the jockeys that rode in that match race and there is nothing that could have been done differently, this is horse racing sometimes bad vthings happen. That aside. I think a race between Seattle Slew and Spectacular Bid would be amazing. Both were amazing racehorses and my personal top two of the greatest racehorses that ever lived. They were also very versatile. Although I think The Bid would come out the victor.

Answer 7

If i had the choice to see a grudge race between any two thoroughbreds I would chose Sea Biscuit and Secritariate. These are two horse that are one in a trillion horses or should I say two in a trillion horses. They are almost like flukes the ones that you see once in million years that can win no matter what and overcome situations that would end other horses raceing careers. Both of these horses had huge hearts that would pull them though the races just on sheer will.

Answer 8

I would race no horse in a match race. While hypothetical matchups are great and fun to think about, as witnessed by Ruffian's death, match races put too much pressure on a horse. They run all out at top speed for the entire race and there is just too much danger of the horse breaking down. Along with her owners (FYI grandparents of actress Allison Janney of tv's West Wing ), her trainer and thousands of others, I believe her race with Foolish Pleasure caused her death. Had she not run, we'd still be watching her progeny and theirs run.

Answer 9

Dr Fager with Man O War, or Secretariat, or all three...at one mile...few horses ever had the lick that Dr. did in his prime...he was running world records with pianos on his back...but if youre a real racing fan you already know that...(champion handicap horse, champion sprinter, champion grass horse, Horse of the Year 1968) and in his lifetime beaten only by HoY Damascus, and HoY Buckpasser))

Answer 10

I would say... Ruffian and Barbaro. My favorite race horses in the world, plus both lost their lives, in kind-a the same way ( so to say )

If that would ever happen I would be there no matter what!