Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral - 1938 Match Race (Pimlico Special)

The historic 1938 match race between west coast star Seabiscuit, and Triple Crown winner War Admiral. A race for the ages.

[@Jermainebrown1892]

NOW I HAVE TO GO WATCH THE MOVIE FOR THE 10TH TIME

[@2taggs2]

Considering this is from 1938... I am shocked at the quality of the film. Very clear.

[@walterpalmer2749]

War Admiral - son of Man O' War and Seabiscuit- grandson of Man O' War. Speaks volumes to the greatness of Man O' War.

[@mahadragon]

A lot of people don't know what was going on behind the scenes. War Admiral's (WA) strength was his out and out speed. He was supposed to be faster than Seabiscuit. When Biscuit came to the fore out of the gate it made an incredible statement. Seabiscuit was the faster horse. As they came to the stretch they were neck and neck. Woolf (riding Biscuit) was instructed to allow WA to come alongside Biscuit in the middle of the race. Biscuit tended to get bored with races because he was so fast and sometimes would let a race slip away toward the end. By allowing Biscuit to see WA, it inspired him. It's not readily obvious, but WA was trying his damnest to pass Seabiscuit but could not do it. WA made a strong move to pass, you can see the acceleration he had as he caught up with him, and for a brief moment, because he was moving so fast, WA actually did have a short lead. But Seabiscuit would have none of it, he kicked it into another gear, and settled into a mental battle. The 2 horses remained deadlocked for a stretch then at some point, WA realized he could not win. That was the race right there, it had been settled before they hit the stretch. It was a war between 2 of the greatest horses racing has ever seen.

[@fergusonto-2032]

Sea Biscuit’s trainer Tom Smith told the jockey to run him in the lead out of the gate then to hold SB back until a certain point in the race then to turn him loose , the most remarkable thing about the whole SB story is how Tom knew that horse , Tom’s horse training ability is beyond my comprehension .

[@raygsbrelcik5578]

I loved that Movie, with Jeff Bridges....and I really Love SEABISCUIT!

[@LaurieSickles]

Wow! I never thought I would get to see the actual race between these two horses! Thanks for posting! It was awesome!

[@karenduenas5605]

Back in the late 1930's, my Grandfather lived and worked on the Howard Ranch in Southern California where Seabiscuit was kept whenever he raced at Caliente in Tijuana or in Del Mar. Charles Howard & his wife Marcela purchased the ranch in 1936 - Mr. Howard being my grandfather's employer. Although my grandfather was "only a ranch hand", not being Seabiscuit's rider or trainer, he proudly worked alongside the infamous underdog race horse on a daily basis, and also Mr. Howard himself anytime he was around. He was the caretaker of his stall, feed, grooming, washing, beach walks, etc., alongside other high caliber Thoroughbreds owned by the likes of Bing Crosby, and radio comedians of the day, Lum and Abner, etc. During my grandfather's stint at the Howard Stock Farm, he was fortunate enough to collect a handful of Seabiscuit's used horse shoes, to which he later passed down to his kids, and then on to us grandkids. Needless to say, I felt emotionally connected and extremely proud watching this famous footage of Seabiscuit - "the little horse that could", race and win against War Admiral. Seabiscuit is a permanent part of the American fabric, and he surely made us proud. One of the finest horses to ever run the earth.

[@barbaranakelski2277]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of your Grandfather! How emotional it must be for you to watch this race!

[@stuffman64]

War Admiral actually ran his best 1-and-3/16 mile time during that race and still lost by four lengths. Still, they two of the greatest horses to ever have raced.

[@timothyhoward5785]

I imagine the two of them in beautiful pastures on the other side living forever, with all their family.

[@thecuk]

sorry to war admiral fans, but the stipulations were all dictated by riddle, war admiral's owner, including the walking start, which favors fast starters like war admiral. both horses carried 120 pounds. war admiral drew the rail, the fastest line, ran his fastest time for 1 3/16 and seabiscuit still blew his doors off.

[@AlanPhilipson]

I have a 40x60 framed print of the four length photo of Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral that is hanging in my living room. This is the metaphor for life "never count out the underdog"! Seabiscuit uplifted a pre-war depressed United States. We need to remember that this was a horse that nobody thought much about until he showed them what he was made of!

[@cheetah333]

Red Pollard, the normal mount for Seabiscuit, knew how competitive his horse was. He told George Woolf, the mount for this race, that if he got ahead of WA, to let him catch up. Once the Biscuit saw WA out of his peripheral vision, Biscuit's game would be on. He was known to toy with other horses like this and then put them away due to his burst of closing speed which is evident at about 1:30 on here. Just a beautiful horse to watch run - pure poetry in motion.

[@Twik41]

Probably the best two horses ever to race in such a manner. War Admiral, remember, completed his Triple Crown sweep in the 1.5 mile Belmont after tearing off part of his hoof breaking from the gate. These were two superb horses, both with incredible guts. It's a shame only one could win.

[@mwp62]

If you liked the movie, and watching the race, then you'll love the book! "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand which is a fantastic read.

[@JohnBarrow1961]

The burst of speed the Biscuit shows the last 200 yards is breathtaking. Almost everyone thought War Admiral was by far the better horse. The fact of the matter was, he never had a chance. What a horse Seabisquit was.

[@Madisonrvr]

I read alot of sports books and as I have no interest in horse racing, never bothered with 'Seabiscuit', until last week. Picked it up on a whim, and now I can't put it down. Just finished the part about this race being run-- amazing! Had to see the actual race here on the Tube. What a great slice of American sports and cultural history.

[@umbrasyl]

To quote Hillenbrand, "War Admiral had run the greatest race of his life, posting by far his best time for the distance." And Seabiscuit blew his doors off. Seabiscuit very well may be the greatest racehorse that ever lived.

[@lindapetro5594]

Another video to look for is Secretariet’s Triple Crown win. “Big Red” was another great horse that closed fast. He started the race in a bad position, blocked by the horde of horses but he hid his time and closed the race absolutely breathtakingly just like THIS race!

[@bogeysbaby]

Seabiscuit was buried in a secret location on the Howard ranch, Ridgewood. He was buried whole.

[@H537ilda]

Another fantastic, historic race. I always loved the story behind Seabiscuit. A lot of people forget though that Seabiscuit and War Admiral were actually related. War Admiral's half brother (Hard Tack) was Seabiscuit's father. War Admiral was the son of Man O' War, another great thoroughbred and Seabiscuit was his grandson. Don't know if this was pointed out before but not going back through all these comments to find out so thought I would share that point.

[@GlennCraven]

While much has been made of Seabiscuit as underdog, he wasn't ill-bred. War Admiral was a son of the great Man O'War; Seabiscuit a grandson by Man O'War's son, Hard Tack. Seabiscuit's dam, Swing On, was by the superb British-bred racehorse Whisk Broom, who did well at stud, including sons Whiskery (Kentucky Derby) and Victorian (Preakness). Seabiscuit's female line is closely related to that of hall-of-famer Equipoise. ... 'Biscuit was small and a bit crooked, but he was fairly well-bred.

[@MichelleDespres]

Some horses are just really competitive by nature. I had a 12.2 hh welsh/Shetland pony as a kid who would just TOAST some of the 16hh horses on trails if I’d let him go. He also carried me over 3’ jumps with ease. He was amazing. I miss that pony.

[@barbaro267]

it's sad that Red Pollard couldn't be there, but he must have been so proud of his boy!

[@reister828]

Gotta love Seabiscuit. Great, great book by Laura Hillenbrand also.

[@Failein]

Seabiscuit is just an incredible race horse, that sheer power at the end is breath taking, he is just so incredibly fast!

[@mikester695]

I loved the way the crowd tries to run along in the infield.

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

And to think that both horses had Man O' War bloodlines. War Admiral was a son of MOW, and Seabiscuit was a grandson of MOW. Just for the record, it was Sam Riddle, the owner of War Admiral, who had a laundry list of stipulations, including the walk up start. Riddle considered Seabiscuit to be vastly inferior to War Admiral. Surprise!

[@sword111119]

This is the best footage ever caught on camera. After reading the book, I wished I could have been there so bad. My wish came true. This looks exactly how Laura Hillenbrand described it.

[@denlaw1217]

Wow ... did not know this video existed. Awesome ... especially for the time period.

[@BE109]

I can't believe it took me this long to list this race as a favorite. What is amazing is that before the race almost all the experts thought Seabiscuit had no chance to beat War Admiral,especially in a match race. The first surprise came early,SB outran WA from the start,you can hear the surprise in Clem's voice. That he was able to do it was testament to Tom Smith's expertise as a trainer. He knew he had to teach him to break like a scalded cat for him to have any chance,and hoss did the rest.

[@talister106]

My father saw him race and always said he was the greatest horse of his time. I still get chills watching this actuial footage or the movie`s take on this great race. Great horse great story just what the people needed at that time.

[@pfull1813]

A small horse with a big heart.

[@perrogallego77]

NOW THAT WAS RACING AT ITS PUREST... NO DRUGS INVOLVED...

[@aprilfooolz]

In the book, Sea Biscuit's foals were referred to as "Little Biscuits"........... Sweet name, don't ya think?!?!

[@pegcage]

In the very good movie a couple of years ago, they used this actual footage of the race. I thought that was neat. I loved the movie, not because it was about horse racing, but because it had a wonderful story of how this horse elevated the lives of three men -- the owner, the trainer and the jockey. Heartwarming and exiting drama.

[@unnatural6edq]

My mom dragged my step-dad to see this movie four times in theaters!! I saw the movie, and then I read the biography by Laura Hillenbrand. Oh my gosh, if the movie brought you to tears, then the book will do it to you nearly a million times over! One of the greatest race horses of all time!!

[@HEDLEYandMCRfan]

OMG!!! I just finished watching the movie, and I was thinking how great it would be to see the real race. And now I did. Yay!!!

[@witchblue]

Seabiscuit is my HERO. His story is immortal. Incredible horse, thank for being existed.

[@Lockhart2000]

Just finished the book "Seabiscuit". Thank you Laura Hillenbrand. Before I read your book I was so ignorant that I thought the Jockeys were just "along for the ride". I was so wrong. I see now that Jockeys are pound for pound the greatest athletes in all of sports. As I was reading this book I thought to myself, "I wonder if there's any footage of Seabiscuit on youtube" and I immediately thought "No, how could there be." Wrong again Steve. Much thanks to the uploader.

[@fergusonto-2032]

I happened across Laura’s book Sea biscuit at a sale at my local library, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read , what’s most amazing to me is Tom Smiths ability to recognize & train SB to be the horse he became.

[@djcrow19]

I enjoyed this immensely. To have the chance to view this match race, 73 years later, and still see the underdog vanquish the champion, gives me chill bumps. Thanks so much for sharing. I am going to watch this again, with sound turned up real loud, and just enjoy the action. It is very exciting to see, as the movie shots never did do Seabiscuit justice.

[@Fireform257]

That was the fastest time War Admiral ever ran at that distance. A clean match race, no question which horse was better.

[@qdrone]

It's hard to fault a race horse that well just loved to race. If you watch Seabiscuit he always looks like he is racing the horse next to him,always looking for a challenge from someone, anyone. he ran his best when he was being challenged... and that wasn't often.

[@SRV4evr]

I read Laura Hillenbrands fantastic book a few years ago, and it was a real page turner. I felt like I was on "the Biscuit's" back riding in each race. Never thought I'd actually get to see his races, but thank god for YT. Thank you for posting this historical footage for us youngsters who weren't there to witness history being made. Magnificant animals! Love you 'Biscuit!!!

[@missymitekite]

Happy Birthday, Seabiscuit! Thanks for continuing to uplift our hearts.

[@Jt67outtriggers]

One out of three Americans watched this race said the broadcaster , WOW.

[@cheeriosinabowl]

Love watching these old horse races. They have a "magic" to them. At the beginning of this video, did you see the massive crowds in the grandstand? It would have been great to have been there. Seabiscuit, a true champion for over 70 years and counting ....

[@Sonoraman]

That was one of the classic races of all times!

[@MrExcellinkus]

Now there was a horse who had the guts, the stamina, and the will to win. He loved to race, and he was endowed with great competitive spirit.

[@kiz215]

both great horses but its amazing how seabiscuit just took off on the home stretch thank you for posting this an amazing piece of history

[@anakina1]

Thanks for posting this. i really liked how they started the race. From a roll as we would say in car talk. He is my second favorite horse. I grew up being a Secretariat fan. But love the Biscuit. Thanks.

[@STHFGDBY]

Wow it must have been great to witness that race between 2 great champions..

[@RatherBeRiding375]

For some reason, seeing that little horse Seabiscuit makes me smile every time.

[@1Moodymare]

Yes, he was told to attempt to get an early lead, to nullify War Admiral's strength at the start (which many thought impossible), but to then let War Admiral close up to him in the latter half of the race in the belief that if the two went head to head, War Admiral would crack first under the sustained pressure. Woolf later said this is exactly what happened - War Admiral wavered under the challenge while Seabiscuit relished it.

[@tedansley]

I watched the move Seabiscuit again last night, it is such an awesome movie...should have won best picture. This video of the actually race is awesome, see the movie if you haven't!

[@chrispy199]

this is sooo AWESOME to see the actual footage in 1938 i am truly shocked !

[@SuperLongshotKing]

Thanks so much for posting this original video. Its a fantastic thing to watch the real race.

[@SuperLongshotKing]

I must say that Sea Buscuit is a wonderful film but this is the first time I have seen this match race for real......my goodness watching that was awesome. They just went hell for leather all the way and the way Sea Buscuit powered away at the end was mightily impressive. Thanks so much for Uploading this racing gem

[@TheProfessorOfLife]

What a lot of people don't realize is that this match race was the biggest sporting event of the 1930s. This match race had been postponed, and there were other problems, so this race was very highly anticipated. Just for the record, Seabiscuit and War Admiral were the same size (15.2 hands). War Admiral was a son of Man O' War, and Seabiscuit was a grandson of Man O' War. Seabiscuit ran in over 80 races during his career, which is AMAZING. Read the book by Lauren Hillenbrand. GREAT read!

[@doorsfan58]

What I thought was so great was the friendship between Pollard and Woolfe. Don't really see that kind of sportmanship very much now.

[@jeaniechampagne8831]

I'm reading the book by Lauren Hilleland - I apologize for the misspelled name --- can't put it down --- such a historical recording of events during that time period and Mr. Howards accomplishments... great read -- highly recommend it! A real treasure!

[@labtide]

THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST STORIES IN SPOTS AND LIFE ! MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME HANDS DOWN AND THE DOCUMENTARY WAS AWESOME. JUST TURN HIM LOOSE!

[@greytoppy]

I read this book and it is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. Teaches you about life, that even when you are born WITH SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS YOU CAN MAKE IT IF YOU WANT TO. IT JUST TAKE A LOT OF HEART AND YOU TO KNOW HOW BAD YOU WANT IT!!!

[@DruneKelly]

All of the great racehorse (Citation, Exterminator, Man o war, Secretariat, Ruffian, etc) there is onky ONE I know of who not only finished the race but won it on 3 legs. "January 18, 1928 Black Gold raced this day with a quarter crack. There were specials shoes for support but, due to long standing hoof issues, jockey nor trainer paid attention to the 7 y e ar olds lameness. He snapped his foreleg, and while he was in terrible pain, won that race. And there are very few horses who could have matched Black Gold's gameness on that day. The next morning he was buried at the track. Not even Secretariat ran well when he was sick or sore as evidenced by his loss of the Wood Memorial. Black Gold was a competitor through and through. Many attempts were made to stop him from running the last of the race but he just grabbed the bit pulled the reins away from his jockey and kept going. I still bill Secretarist the greatest racehorse that has ever been or will ever be, but completely honorable mention must go to Black Gold for his spirit and determination to win.

[@Snags137]

Actually he said "so long Charlie" at the top of the stretch because the Jockey on War Admiral was Charles Kurtsinger and that is where the saying originated.

[@hankabbey92]

omg what a video, on that last turn seabiscuit just let out a whole different speed. awesome to watch

[@houro2353]

What a precious piece of history to be able to see. Thank you for posting this.

[@1thepner]

Still love re-watching the original broadcast...thanks again!!!

[@51mcm]

Probably the only horse that I ever saw that REALLY ENJOYED running and he was far from a large horse.........

[@jamesdunn2214]

The horse race of the century.

[@bgardiner2000]

Brilliant footage. One of the great underdog stories in racing

[@walterpalmer2749]

Two great equine athletes with a storybook finish. Seabiscuit riden by "The Iceman" George Wolf - the stuff of legends.

[@Fey801]

The worst thing anyone can do is to debate which horse is the best one. BOTH of them have a place in History. Both of them were superior horses. The only thing we can do is bow to their raw talent. Both were gifts of Nature.

[@frostysmoke37]

Thank you so much for uploading this great piece of history!

[@howedelamitri]

I'm reading the book now too (fantastic book). It made watching this video so much more emotionally rewarding...I could almost imagine being Charles Howard and feeling that rush of watching the horse you love fight his heart out in this race...goosebumps!

[@johnbarnett6924]

Thanks for the memories John W Barnett revisited October 2023❤

[@kieran360]

check it out at 0.53 seconds sea biscuit looks over at war admerial!! its like he nt even concentrating, not under pressure! he had whole race under control, accelerated faster, was ahead by two lents into the first bend, he slowed down and ran with war admerial and took off like lightening at the end. if there had been a re - match im in no doubt who the winner wud be,, SEABISCUIT!!!!!!

[@quiettman11]

SO often "match races" don't mesure up to the hype. This one exceded it...... a flat wonderful thing to watch!! Thank's for putting the post /// so racing fans can see it!! DON

[@LadyKR82]

WAY TO GO BISCUIT!!!! WOO HOOOOO!!!!! Thank you SOOO much, cf1970, for posting this video! I, too, had no idea it existed!

[@PsychicIsaacs]

This is ne of the greatest horse races ever run, we are still fortunate to have.actual film footage of it. Thank you for posting this!

[@vaibanez17]

The jockey pulled back a bit and War Admiral caught up, but this was just so that Seabiscuit would have enough left for that huge push on the final stretch. Seabiscuit ruled the day.

[@AnimalsRock4Love]

What a treasure. Watching this made my day. Thank you so much for posting all this great race footage for us to enjoy.

[@Builder99]

Love this horse and his guts and heart to win...Just such a great horse and the country at that time needed him...Wish we knew where he was buried...he earned a special marker for sure... Died the year I was born...

[@jermainemiller6750]

My biscuit.

[@Bobbygn]

War Admiral raced in the east. Seabiscuit was from the west. To win the triple crown War Admiral never had to face Seabiscuit or anything close to him. Seabiscuit was the top money winner by far in that era.

[@demiztuff]

I had never seen this. Thank you so much for posting it. Great race!

[@THE0591301]

@cf1970 Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this wonderful film clip. I am so appreciative of being able to see actual footage from the races of these great horses from the past. As they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words. And this clip shows two great horses running and competing side by side. How thrilling to watch!! They both had heart and were certainly champions. On this day at the finish line though it was the Biscuit beating the Admiral. No excuses. What a race!!

[@schnur011]

dont ya love how they start the race

[@barbaro267]

i saw the 2003 movie of Seabiscuit and i fell in love with it! i want the breyer model so bad! this race is so significant and symbolic...a part of america's history. like ruffian's match race, though she couldnt finish her's. i wish i was alive in seabiscuit's time! he raced at the santa anita...ive been there! its so near where i live! i am so inspired by this underdog!

[@thevmanvj]

"The Ice Man" sayeth....."So Long, Charlie!.....Y'AAAAAH!!

[@Kipindahouse]

Wow! that was amazin! Didnt think id ever see the real race=] thank you soo much for posting it!!

[@seekerofgod7777777]

I just watched a documentary on PBS about Seabiscuit that gave me chills. That little horse had it all.

[@dertrix37]

Gives me goosebumps every time!:)

[@edielee3409]

Haaaaaaa... I'm watching this movie right now. Shirley Temple all grown up. Great Seabiscuit..!!! Great movie..!!! ;-)

[@prettyponybaby2007]

yeah, he had a funny stride and his main jockey, Red Pollard was blind in one eye. The reason George Wolfe aka "Iceman" is riding him in this race is because at the time Red was badly injured from checking out a horse that spooked, causing him to fall and be dragged by the horse, thus shattering his leg.

[@8mmoore1]

You have to know that I love Zenyatta, loved Secretariat, but I have a special place in my heart for this beautiful creature, even though he was small, he never gave up ever, even after defeat, and that is truly a wonderful story, Michele

[@emmadear3276]

Tears!!

[@ickiepoo]

What a horse. Like Wolff said, he made a rear admiral out of a War Admiral.

[@jessyong20]

i love this race and one of my favorite movie of all time!!!.... thanks for uploading this video....very historical, epic!!! love to watch it over and over again!!!

[@user-rz2lg3fy6l]

The race of the whole darned century

[@secrethorse4]

this is one of my favorite races. Seabusicut and War Admiral are related which is awsome. Both were great stallions.