Books about Racehorse from Amazon.com

A hundred years ago, the most famous athlete in America was a horse. But Dan Patch was more than a sports star; he was a cultural icon in the days before the automobile Born crippled and unable to stand, he was nearly euthanized. For a while, he pulled the grocer's wagon in his hometown of Oxford, Indiana. But when he was entered in a race at the county fair, he won -- and he kept on winning. Harness racing was the top sport in America at the time, and Dan, a pacer, set the world record for the mile. He eventually lowered the mark by four seconds, an unheard-of achievement that would not be surpassed for decades.

America loved Dan Patch, who, though kind and gentle, seemed to understand that he was a superstar: he acknowledged applause from the grandstands with a nod or two of his majestic head and stopped as if to pose when he saw a camera. He became the first celebrity sports endorser; his name appeared on breakfast cereals, washing machines, cigars, razors, and sleds. At a time when the highest-paid baseball player, Ty Cobb, was making $12,000 a year, Dan Patch was earning over a million dollars.

But even then horse racing attracted hustlers, cheats, and touts. Drivers and owners bet heavily on races, which were often fixed; horses were drugged with whiskey or cocaine, or switched off with "ringers." Although Dan never lost a race, some of his races were rigged so that large sums of money could change hands. Dan's original owner was intimidated into selling him, and America's favorite horse spent the second half of his career touring the country in a plush private railroad car and putting on speed shows for crowds that sometimes exceeded 100,000 people. But the automobile cooled America's romance with the horse, and by the time he died in 1916, Dan was all but forgotten. His last owner, a Minnesota entrepreneur gone bankrupt, buried him in an unmarked grave. His achievements have faded, but throughout the years, a faithful few kept alive the legend of Dan Patch, and in Crazy Good, Charles Leerhsen travels through their world to bring back to life this fascinating story of triumph and treachery in small-town America and big-city racetracks..
Price: $8.66 [Notify me when price goes down.]

R is for Racehorse . . .

And they’re off! Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are excited to see Uncle Warren’s new racehorse, Whirlaway, in action. But the night before the big race, the horse disappears! He shows up the next day, just in time to lose the race. Why is Whirlaway suddenly so slow? Can the kids figure it out–or is Whirlaway out of the winner’s circle for good? A to Z Mysteries are fast-paced, collectible mysteries for beginning chapter book readers!.
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Taking care of a racehorse involves many facets - from keeping the horse happy to recognizing any signs of lameness to knowing how to muck a stall. Author T.A. Landers, a former master groom turned trainer, breaks down all aspects of racehorse care in a clear, concise, and comprehensive manner that will leave the reader with more confidence in handling these magnificent animals. Professional Care of the Racehorse provides photographs and detailed explanations of grooming, feeding, restraining, tacking, and handling racehorses. The book also explains the necessary equipment and its proper use and care. All of this thrown in together with a few tips on horse psychology makes it an excellent resource for anyone who works with horses..
Price: $9.99 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Designing Speed in the Racehorse is an indispensable reference by Ken McLean, one of the world's foremost bloodstock advisors and pedigree experts.

McLean discusses genetic affinities and pedigree patterns, analyzes the pedigrees of important sires and ancestors to isolate elements of speed and stamina, explains what characteristics to look for in a sire, and updates the "elite" mare list.

Breeders will be especially interested in McLean's analysis of the conformation of many of the breed's most illustrious sires and the physical attributes and faults they passed on to their progeny. Best of all, he tells the current sire and dam lines most likely to produce quality racehorses.

With his recommendations at hand, today's Thoroughbred breeder has an edge in the competitive world of racing..
Price: $37.77 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Twenty-five years after Laughing in the Hills, his racetrack classic, Bill Barich tells the story of how he fell in love and found a new life in Dublin, where he was soon caught up in the Irish obsession with horses and luck. Barich travels his adopted country and meets the leading trainers and jockeys; the beleaguered bookies who work rain or shine; and a host of passionate, like-minded fans—from Father Sean Breen, the “Racing Priest,” to T. P. Reilly, whose peculiar betting system turns on a horse’s looks.

Witty, philosophical, and vividly written, A Fine Place to Daydream is a paean to the real Ireland, a moving tale of a surprise romance, and a thrilling account of a hugely exciting season at the track..
Price: $6.87 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Breeding the ultimate racehorse has challenged the minds of breeders and theorists for more than 200 years. Now, for the first time, students of bloodstock breeding have an opportunity to examine the theories of genetics, biomechanics, nicking, dosage, inbreeding, outcrossing, statistical methods, female family lines and heart score. The works of Bruce Lowe, Federico Tesio, Harry Laughlin, Joe Estes and many more are examined and evaluated.

Here, in one volume, is a wide and varied assessment of the major breeding systems and theories, as well as the history and background of each. The writers give readers all the necessary information they need to implement the theory and make it part of a breeding program. They also verify the relative scientific validity of the theories and various approaches to breeding. This, more than any other factor, sets this book apart from other attempts to offer breeding theory to owners and breeders. The authors ask, "Does this really work and, if so, how often has it been proven or disproven?"

By studing the varied breeding approaches and theories, modern breeders can use the information that best fits their breeding program..
Price: $29.44 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Follows The Blood-Horse's Top 100 list, beginning with Man o' War in the No. 1 spot and ending with Blue Larkspur at No. 100..
Price: $14.99 [Notify me when price goes down.]