The Legend of Upset

Photo credit to the Keeneland Library Cook Collection

The term “upset” has been used in all sports. It is a word that in many ways, explains itself. When a heavy favorite falls victim to defeat and a long shot steals the glory, the moment of shock will be referred to as an “upset”. It is an extremely common term, but where did it first begin?

In 1917, a chestnut colt slipped into the world. He was by the stallion, Whisk Broom, and out of the mare, Pankhurst. The colt was named Upset. The name would prove fitting enough for the colt, since he was born in the same era as Man o’ War, who would go on to dominate the track and every foe on it. However, despite the supreme reign that Man o’ War would bring to the track, Upset would still manage to etch his name into the history books as well. His fame would just have to be earned a different way.

In the 1919 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga, Upset found a way to “upset” the mighty Man o’ War. At the time, starting gates were not used on the track. This made for some tricky starts, and that is where the problems began for Man o’ War, who was undefeated in six starts before his nightmare in the Sanford began.

It is said that Man o’ War was circling around before the start of the race. Little did he know, the field was ready for takeoff. While Man o’ War was facing the wrong way, the race began. Man o’ War’s rivals took off, fleeting down the track with thundering hooves, leaving Man o’ War behind with a massive disadvantage. Ever the champion, Man o’ War dove into the challenge head on. He was not about to accept defeat without a fight, and he boldly set off after his foes.

Man o’ War was steadily making up ground. Stride by stride, he was gaining on his rivals. However, time was not on his side. The short, six furlong race left little time to close the gap, and when the field turned for home, Upset already had his eyes set on the wire.

Man o’ War unleashed a furious rally, dramatically eating up the ground as he charged after Upset. There was both determination and desperation in his stride, and his herculean effort left the crowd pulsating with noise. Man o’ War was now in with a chance, galloping up right beside Upset in an epic confrontation of tenacity and courage. The fact that Man o’ War was able to make up so much ground with so little time defied logic, and at that point, win or lose, his effort was an admirable and astonishing feat.

Man o’ War and Upset raced neck and neck down the stretch, but Upset refused to give up the lead. Thrusting out his neck, Upset claimed victory as his own, stealing the spotlight from a horse who had previously never lost. However, after that day, Man o’ War never lost again. Even when he faced off with Upset a total of six more times, he walked away with the glory.

Photo credit to the Keeneland Library Cook Collection

The crushing way in which Man o’ War dominated his foes has made his name a part of racing lore. He didn’t just beat his rivals, he destroyed them. To this day, many people still consider Man o’ War to be the best there ever was. With twenty wins in twenty-one career starts, it’s hard to disagree. Perhaps that is why Upset became so famous? He was the only horse to ever cross the wire in front of the great Man o’ War. He was the only horse to ever “upset” a horse that was otherwise unbeatable.

Then again, maybe this horse has inadvertently become a part of the “upset” legend because of the coincidental circumstances surrounding his name, along with his shocking victory. The term “upset” can be dated all the way back to 1877. The horse, Upset didn’t defeat Man o’ War until 1919, a full 42 years later. While it appears that the term didn’t really come from Upset’s score over Man o’ War after all, it still makes for a pretty interesting legend. I guess you can chalk it up to the right horse having the right name, at the right time. Everything fell into place, as if it were a script right out of the Silver Screen. In a way, it is almost like serendipity. When you stop and think about it, what are the odds that a horse named Upset would come along to “upset” the greatest horse of all time?

Man o' War, Keeneland Library Cook Collection Photo

Keeneland Library Cook Collection, photo of Upset

Thank you to the Keeneland Library Cook Collection for providing these historical photos!

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