Saga of Seabiscuit in the winner's circle – Deseret News

A look back at local, national and world events in the Deseret News archives.

The “Race of the Century”. Today, sports fans would call it an “Instant Classic.”

On November 1, 1938, in a two-horse match race, Seabiscuit defeated the favored Triple Crown winner War Admiral by four lengths in what was known as the “Race of the Century” at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

War Admiral, the father of the never-defeated legend Man o' War, was smaller and different than his legendary father, but still an amazing thoroughbred. In 1937, War Admiral won his first three starts, the last race being the Kentucky Derby. After winning his first two starts of the year, The Admiral did the one thing Man o' War didn't do – he won the Kentucky Derby.

Back then, winning the Triple Crown – Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont – wasn’t a big goal. But over the summer, War Admiral racked up more victories and was named Horse of the Year.

America had his fourth Triple Crown winner, winning 18 of 22 starts in his career.

During 1938 there was enormous public demand for a race between War Admiral and Seabiscuit, the hero of the West Coast. The two biggest driving forces in racing finally met on November 1st in the Pimlico Special.

The 4-year-old War Admiral was a clear favorite over the 5-year-old Seabiscuit, the 1937 handicapper champion. Seabiscuit, a grandson of Man o' War, had risen from the top ranks and captured the hearts of racing fans everywhere.

The Biscuit, as he was often called, lost the first 17 races of his career, but he began winning races as a four-year-old, winning 31 races in his career.

An estimated 40,000 fans flocked to Pimlico Racecourse for the event and around 40 million more listened to the national radio broadcast.

The Deseret News brought its readers race previews and results in late October and November.

It was Seabiscuit's day. According to reports, the Biscuit “set off attentively from the start and handled well under Hall of Fame driver George “The Iceman” Woolf. Kurtsinger eventually brought War Admiral alongside Seabiscuit to the half-mile and even briefly took the lead, but Seabiscuit pulled away and won by four lengths in record time.”

In the early 2000s, a film about the racehorse and racing was a huge hit with audiences.

Seabiscuit returned to California to live out his life on the farm where he started.

Here are some stories from the Deseret News archives about the race, the Western Thoroughbred that captured the public's attention in 1938, and the film that immortalized the horse:

“The Seabiscuit trend has begun”

“Old Resident California Mining Glory: Seabiscuit”

“Utahns create statue of Seabiscuit”

“Movie Review: Seabiscuit”

“'Seabiscuit' actor leaves hospital in good condition”

“Horsepower: Beloved Horses, the Costs Associated Add Up to Major Utah Industry.”

“‘Derby’ as a race comes from an English place”