Famous Animal Gravesites Around the World
It's not just Kentucky Derby winners that are buried with great honor
- By Robin T. Reid
- Smithsonian.com, April 28, 2010
(Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images)
On Saturday afternoon, May 1, as you raise your mint julep to toast the Kentucky Derby, make a few extra clinks to honor past stars of the famous race, those Thoroughbred horses who once whipped around the tracks at lightning speed and often captured our hearts.
Arguably the nation’s most famous Thoroughbred, Man o’War is buried at the entrance to Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. “Big Red,” as the chestnut stallion was nicknamed, won 20 of the 21 races he entered; the one he lost went to the appropriately named steed Upset.
Man o’ War was born in Lexington on March 29, 1917, during World War I (hence his name). Two years later, he breezed through his first race, winning by six lengths. A slew of wins and broken records followed. Big Red famously did not like having any horses in front of him, and it showed. While he never raced in the Derby, he won the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, the two other components of racing’s Triple Crown. The record he set in the latter held for 50 years.
Man o’ War was a star off the track as well. He sired 64 champions, including War Admiral, the 1937 Triple Crown winner, and was Seabiscuit’s grandfather. He died in 1948 of a heart attack.
He and War Admiral are buried side by side in Kentucky Horse Park. Their graves are among the most popular sites for the thousands of people who visit the park and its museums every year.
“Even if they don’t know why Man o’War was famous, they know his name,” says Cindy Rullman, who handles public relations for the park. “They know he was a great horse.”
Comments (13)
The title has no relationship to the results shown. It’s so National Geographic in that it appeals to kids. Going farther, I find this totally disrespectful to the locations that have monuments and histories equal to and in many cases beyond the ones represented here. Animals deserve respect. Obviously this is not well thought out at all. The issue here lends itself to marginalizing all the information presented at this site. That is not good, unless of course it is your intention. I can not solve this problem for you. [Looks at posting rules to see if I have violated threatening/ offensive/ whatever]
Posted by l k lietner on August 5,2012 | 06:36 PM
Im a proud owner of a retired race horse named Coker Road who is a descendant of the great Man o War! Coker raced 40 races and pursed $50,000. He has been trained and shown in jumping. Now he is my friend and trail riding partner :D. He is chestnut with three white socks and a blaze and is currently age 11. I LOVE HIM!
Posted by Phylis on June 9,2012 | 06:02 AM
He is such a hero!
Posted by George Smoe on February 15,2011 | 08:57 AM
Strolling Jim, Tennessee's first grand champion walking horse in 1938, is buried "quietly" at Wartrace, Tenn., the cradle of Tennessee Walking Horse Country.
Shaker's Shocker, who carried the first woman, Betty Sain, to win the breed's biggest Celebration in 1966, is buried in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee about five miles from Strolling Jim's grave...
Posted by Dan Whittle on February 7,2011 | 06:47 AM
Can we please stop calling yellow labs "golden"?
Posted by Lauren on July 2,2010 | 04:49 PM
This website is cool and i love animals lol i think they are soooo cute ;]
Posted by leela on May 17,2010 | 11:56 AM
Hachiko, who faithfully waited for his owner every day at the Shibuya train station for 9 years after his death, died on March 8, 1935. His stuffed remains are mounted at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno,Tokyo. He has become an international symbol of loyalty.
Posted by Mariam Arthur on May 15,2010 | 10:08 PM
Smokey the Bear in Capitan, New Mexico. Originally rescued as a cub (1950), became famous as "posterboy" in campaign against forest fires, lived at the National Zoo in Washington DC, returned to Lincoln National Forest for burial after his death in 1976.
Posted by Mariam Arthur on May 15,2010 | 09:59 PM
Where was Smokey the Bear???
Smokey was/is truly an American Icon and has one of the most touching stories of survival and the human impact on nature.
Posted by Tara on May 14,2010 | 04:15 PM
No GREYFRIARS BOBBY?? For Shame.
Posted by Ken David on May 3,2010 | 01:24 PM
she has days to live
Posted by naveenchilakapati on May 3,2010 | 11:25 AM
the world first creation first went into space great.
Posted by naveenchilakapati on May 3,2010 | 11:22 AM
A tiny cub in 1959 and about 5 years old when she died in 1961...
Don't mind placing this comment, just remove the error please.
Posted by Auke on April 30,2010 | 03:01 PM