In Kincsem's footsteps – Facts and legends about the birthplace of the wonder mare

Abstract

Kincsem, the invincible “Wonder Mare”, has been the subject of countless professional and educational works in recent years. Almost everything has been written about her. However, in 1983, József Vecseklőy still asked the question: “Everything? But how. What do we know well, what do we not know well about Kincsem? …how did the domestic and foreign literature discuss the miracle mare’s exploits in the past century?” Although Kincsem’s place of birth is an unchangeable historical fact, in the many years since March 17, 1874, several reinterpretations, even reinterpretations or misinterpretations of the original documents of the time – for reasons of prestige, interest, etc. – have come to light. As is well known, between 1876 and 1879, the yellow mare, who ran 55 times in 54 races in 13 different cities in Europe, never found a winner. This achievement is unique in the world, one-off and unrepeatable. Countless data about Kincsem were accurately recorded, as the professional press of the time continuously informed the reading public in detail, from race to race. The professional writers of later eras compiled their works based on these original sources, which, however, in several cases contain information that seems contradictory. In Kincsem's case, this is the case, for example, of his place of birth.