
Battleship, painting by W. Smithson Broadhead
NMR Collection
Battleship was sired by Man o'War out of the mare Quarantaine, by Sea Sick. Battleship's career began with three years of flat racing for Walter J. Salmon Jr. The chestnut colt won stakes at 3 and at 4, most notably the James Rowe Memorial and the Great Lakes Handicaps.
Later in his fourth year, Battleship was purchased by Mrs. Marion duPont Scott for $12,000 and sent to England to be retrained for steeplechase racing.
Battleship won three steeplechase races at 6. The following year he won the American Grand National under 147 pounds at Belmont Park. He spent the next season resting at Montpelier and undergoing treatment for a bowed tendon.
The highlight of Battleship's career was winning the English Grand National at Aintree as an 11-year-old. He was the first American-bred to win the race in American colors and carried 160 pounds to victory.
While Battleship only produced 58 foals, 19% of those were stakes winners. He sired steeplechase champions Shipboard and War Battle, as well as 1952 American Grand National winner Sea Legs.
Battleship was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1969.

Battleship (#2) vs. Rocky Run in the American Grand National
©Keeneland-Morgan |