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The Man o' War Cup, originally the Kenilworth Gold Cup, is a solid gold trophy that commemorates the winners of the 
Saratoga Race Course has several longstanding traditions that include the yearly presentation of the Man O’ War Cup, which is also known as the "Travers Trophy." and is presented after the annual renewal of the signature race of the summer meet at America's oldest racecourse. Each year the original gold trophy is presented by a member of the Riddle family and either the Governor or Lt. Governor of the State of New York.New York Racing Association, website. A replica is made each year and that gold-plated smaller version of the permanent trophy is given for permanent possession to the owners of the winning horse.
Another unique fixture of any Travers Stakes is the canoe that sits in an infield lake at Saratoga Race Course. Every year, the colors of the winner of the Travers Stakes are painted on the canoe as lasting semblance for the winner and stays there throughout the year until a new winner is crowned. Winning jockeys are also immortalized with a lawn jockey statue custom-painted in the silk colors of the winning owner to be displayed at the racecourse entrance for the next year. Lawn Jockey statues are said to bring good luck to all but especially the winning jockey for that next year's mounts. Another tradition of the "Mid-summer Derby" is a blanket of red and white carnations that is draped over the withers of the winner. That blanket is red in color outlined with a fringe of white carnation and a large "T" also in white.
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is nicknamed the "Mid-Summer Derby" and is the third-ranked race for American three-year-olds according to internation ...
, held at Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the country, but is actua ...
in Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is a city in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 28,491 at the 2020 census. The name reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area, which has made Saratoga a popular resort destination for over 2 ...
. Winners of the Travers, affectionately called the "Mid-Summer Derby" and the oldest continuously-run grade one stakes race in the United States, have their name inscribed on the original and receive a gold-plated replica of the Cup.
The Cup is named after the 1920 winner of the Stakes race, Man o' War
Man o' War (March 29, 1917 – November 1, 1947) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who is widely regarded as the greatest racehorse of all time. Several sports publications, including ''The Blood-Horse'', ''Sports Illustrated'', ESPN, and ...
. Man o' War went on to defeat the famed Sir Barton
Sir Barton (April 26, 1916 – October 30, 1937) was a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse who is the first winner of the American Triple Crown.
Background
Sir Barton was a chestnut colt bred in 1916, in Kentucky, by John E. Madden at H ...
, the first winner of the American Triple Crown, at a special match race at Kenilworth Park in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on the south bank of the Detroit River directly across from Detroit, Michigan, United States. Geographically located within but administratively independent of Essex County, it is the souther ...
. It was for that race that Samuel D. Riddle received the trophy, which was later donated to Saratoga by Mrs. Sam (Elizabeth) Riddle in 1936. William Woodward's Granville won the 1936 Travers Stakes and was the first to be presented with the Cup. The cup was designed by Tiffany & Co. for Abe Orpen
Abraham "Abe" Michael Orpen (February 9, 1854 – September 22, 1937) was a Canadian businessman, best known for his ownership of several horse-racing tracks in Ontario, Canada. Born in Toronto, Orpen first worked as a carpenter, became a hotel ...
, owner and manager of Kenilworth, at a cost of $5,000, for the famous match race.
Saratoga Race Course has several longstanding traditions that include the yearly presentation of the Man O’ War Cup, which is also known as the "Travers Trophy." and is presented after the annual renewal of the signature race of the summer meet at America's oldest racecourse. Each year the original gold trophy is presented by a member of the Riddle family and either the Governor or Lt. Governor of the State of New York.New York Racing Association, website. A replica is made each year and that gold-plated smaller version of the permanent trophy is given for permanent possession to the owners of the winning horse.
Another unique fixture of any Travers Stakes is the canoe that sits in an infield lake at Saratoga Race Course. Every year, the colors of the winner of the Travers Stakes are painted on the canoe as lasting semblance for the winner and stays there throughout the year until a new winner is crowned. Winning jockeys are also immortalized with a lawn jockey statue custom-painted in the silk colors of the winning owner to be displayed at the racecourse entrance for the next year. Lawn Jockey statues are said to bring good luck to all but especially the winning jockey for that next year's mounts. Another tradition of the "Mid-summer Derby" is a blanket of red and white carnations that is draped over the withers of the winner. That blanket is red in color outlined with a fringe of white carnation and a large "T" also in white.
See also
*August Belmont Trophy
The August Belmont Trophy is awarded annually to the winning owner of the Belmont Stakes now run at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. The silver bowl, created by Paulding Farnham in 1896-97, was awarded to the 1896 Belmont Stakes winner upon its ...
References
{{reflist Horse racing in the United States Saratoga Race Course Horse racing awards American horse racing trophies