When discussions about great thoroughbreds take place two horses names are bound to come up: Man o'war and Secretariat.
Some people consider a personal favourite (ie. Citation, Forego, Seattle Slew, Dr. Fager) to be the greatest of all time but concede those two horses as second and third
But most people champion either Man o'war or Secretariat as the greatest of all time.
You be the judge
| Name | Man o'War | Secretariat |
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| Foaled | 1917 | 1970 |
| Nickname (Barn Name) | Big Red | Big Red |
| Bloodline | Fair Play (Hall of Fame) | Bold Ruler (Hall of Fame) |
| Hall of fame | Inducted 1957 | Inducted 1974 |
| Race Record | 21 Starts: 20 Wins 1 Second | 21 Starts: 16 Wins 3 Seconds 1 Third |
| Records Set | 3 World Records; 2 American Records; 2 Track Records | 2 World Records; 2 Track Records; 1 Race Record |
| Greatest margin of victory | The Lawrence Realization by an estimated 100 lengths | Belmont by an estimated 31 lengths |
| Triple Crown | Won Preakness and Belmont 1920; Did not start the Kentucky Derby | Won 1973 |
| Honours | Champion 2 Year Old Colt; Champion 3 Year Old Colt; Horse of the Year | Five Eclipse Awards |
| First Line Offspring | War Admiral (Hall of Fame: Triple Crown) Crusader (Hall of Fame) Battleship (Hall of Fame); Produced 64 Stakes Winners; Female Offspring Produced 124 Stakes Winners | Lady's Secret (Hall of Fame; Two Eclipse Awards ) |
| Statues | At the Kentucky Horse Park | Belmont Park & Derby Museum(Churchill) |
| Last Race | Kenilworth Park (Windsor, Canada) | Woodbine (Toronto, Canada) |
| Travel Partner | Major Treat | Riva Ridge |
| Height/Weight (At age 3) | 16.2 hands (about 5'6"); apx 1125 pounds | (at two: 16 hands 1/4 " (about 5' 4 3/4")) |
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