There are few sports that are better tailored toward telling stories than horse racing. Sometimes narratives on track are able to write themselves, and the eventual outcome is something that even Hollywood movie producers would struggle to believe.
The popularity of racing is set to reach new heights over the course of this year, as the sport gets the Drive to Survive treatment on Netflix with the release of Race For The Crown.
However, for some, reading about some of the most famous stories in the sport is still the preferred option to get a rounded experience of the story. But, what are some of the must-read books for passionate fans of horse racing?
A Day At The Races: The Horses, People and Races That Shaped The Sport of Kings
One of the most interesting books for lovers of all codes of horse racing comes in the form of Peter May’s 2022 release ‘A Day At The Races: The Horses, People and Races That Shaped The Sport of Kings’.
The book takes fans back through generations, relieving racing moments from King Henry VIII to Queen Elizabeth II. He details the formation of the Classics, as well as some of the stories that shaped the history of the sport.
Among those include the Derby Day fraud, the huge Cambridgeshire gamble, and the legendary performances on track of stars such as Man o’War and Emily Dickinson.
May leaves no stone unturned in this detailed book that focuses around some of the most iconic moments in the history of the great sport.
Starting From Scratch
Jump jockeys are a very rare breed, as they put their lives in danger every time that they take to the track. Therefore, Henrietta Knight’s 2019 release of ‘Starting from Scratch: Inspired to be a Jump Jockey’ is a very informative read to understand what makes the riders tick.
The book uses countless case studies surrounding some of the most successful riders in history, assessing their routes into the sport and how they deal with setbacks. It focuses on their paths into the sport, and what they needed to do to reach the highest point in racing.
Over 80 jump jockeys are involved in the making of the book, and they include legendary riders such as Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, and Richard Dunwoody. It is a must-read for all fans of the sport, but especially for those that have a younger child that is looking to break into life in the saddle.
If after that you need additional literature you can check out this guide on wagering from TwinSpires: https://www.twinspires.com/betting-guides/what-do-horse-racing-odds-mean/
Frankel: The Greatest Racehorse of All Time and the Sport That Made Him
Throughout history there have been stories of great horses, but few are able to reach the legendary heights. One exception to the rule comes in the form of Frankel, who is regarded by many as the greatest turf horse that has ever lived.
This book by Simon Cooper titled ‘Frankel: The Greatest Racehorse of All Time and the Sport That Made Him’, offers a deep insight into the work behind the scenes that created a generational talent on the track. The superstar was born in February 2008 was unbeaten across his 14 race starts, and he was the highest-rated racehorse on the planet from May 2011 until his retirement.
This book includes insightful interviews with Khalid Abdullah, as well as trained Sir Henry Cecil and regular rider Tom Queally. Throughout his career, he amassed earnings of over £2.9 million and was the winner of top prizes such as the Royal Lodge Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas, and Champion Stakes.
This book offers an insightful look at one of the world’s greatest horses, who has continued to shape the sport following his retirement.
Secretariat: The Making of a Champion
There have been few more powerful stories in the history of horse racing than that of Secretariat, as he was able to shift the entire mood of the United States during a period of uncertainty. William Nack’s 2002 release of ‘Secretariat: The Making of a Champion’ remains one of the most powerful books in the sector.
It details the horse’s life before taking to the track, and the obstacles that he needed to overcome in order to reach his full potential.
Secretariat is still regarded as one of the greatest horses to have ever competed on track, and he was ranked second by Blood-Horse in the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th century. On track, he was a monster, winning 16 of his 21 career starts.
At the age of three, he won the Triple Crown in the U.S., setting speed records in all three races. His record in the Kentucky Derby still stands to this day. The book also details his career after the Triple Crown, with further wins achieved in the Marlboro Cup, Canadian Stakes, and Man o’War Stakes.
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