The Melbourne Cup Compendium (1861-2010), revised edition, is a unique reference guide to this world famous race, which had its 150th run in November 2010. It focuses on historic firsts, records and statistics, with an A-Z reference index, easy to follow charts and tables, and an overview of each Cup since the race began in 1861.

The juvenile, or two-year-old, racing careers of Colin, Man o' War, Ruffian and Landaluce provide the foundation and focus for discussing the question of thoroughbred greatness and its measure. These four thoroughbreds were arguably the best juvenile runners of the twentieth century. Close on their hooves, pun intended, however, were the colts Sysonby and Secretariat and the fillies First Flight, La Prevoyante and Personal Ensign. The latter five runners are honorably mentioned and also compared in the book. As in The Greatest Horse of All: A Controversy Examined, basic statistics are used informally to provide readers a basis for their own studies in thoroughbred data comparison and evaluation. The author realizes that many people avoid mathematical ideas like the plague. Therefore, he has minimized statistical usage to its most common elements, and he explains these thoroughly for the uninitiated as the book progresses. Only two of the ten chapters use statistics to any degree. The text also includes seven figures and two tables to aid in understanding the statistical concepts. If one feels remotely comfortable with eight-grade mathematics concepts, one will have no problem with this material. Relative to the statistical comparisons, two novel concepts are discussed. These pertain to addressing the so-called era effect. Many racing fans continue to argue that horses from different eras cannot justly be compared. A strong case against this argument is presented from at least two standpoints. First, a device is described and suggested to scientifically test and compare the true relative speeds of two racing surfaces. Second, an inverse use of the well-known 't test' for comparing the differences between two or more data sets is presented. The text demonstrates how using this inverse test can equitably adjust earlier era data so that it may be fairly compared with later era data.

Imagine being given the opportunity of a lifetime. A test of talent and skill so great, the prize would guarantee historical immortality. Sham's Dream is a personified picture book about courageous Sham, the horse that challenged legendary Secretariat for the 1973 Kentucky Derby. Through Sham's extreme effort a hidden message surfaced worth much more than expected. Inspired by actual events, this story teaches a valuable life lesson: the act of trying without reserve is as honorable as being triumphant. Written and illustrated by Mary Walsh. Captivating ink and watercolor imagery create an unforgettable experience for young children and horse lovers of all ages.

LEGENDS OF THE TURF (Volume 1) is award-winning South African journalist Charl Pretorius' first book since 2006, a compilation of updated personality profiles and articles from his popular column of the same title that ran for over seven years in the Johannesburg daily, The Citizen. Following the success of Horse Chestnut: The Story Of A Legend (coauthored with Mike de Kock) and The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Horseplayers, Pretorius' latest work is a delightful journey into the annals of horseracing history. Sad and nostalgic at times, Legends Of The Turf includes ten striking chapters and a new bonus profile, documenting extensive research and personal interviews with some of the industry's biggest names. Enlightening, controversial and richly entertaining, Legends Of The Turf is the result of one man's love for horseracing and his deep admiration for its heroes, hailed or unsung. It's a collector's piece for all individuals with an interest in the Sport Of Kings, but its general theme of human trials and tribulations has cross-over appeal for any reader who enjoys good story-telling.

"An insider's stunning account of the corrupt practices that threaten both the horses and the game . . . an engrossing read." --"Minneapolis Star-Tribune"""

Jim Squires was in trouble. He was in the horse business, an enterprise seemingly intent on committing suicide, led over the cliff by visionless leaders. A clannish group called "the Dinnies" had long refused to share power, as vast overproduction and unbridled greed created a subprime-like bubble in the market. Overpriced animals of dubious quality and drug-enhanced performance on the track were undermining the integrity of competition and ultimately the very breed itself. With its economic model broken, its tawdry sales practices under attack, and its public image in tatters, the sport was overdue for a reckoning.

"Headless Horsemen" is Squires's critique of what is happening to the sport and the animals he loves, as he and a small group of unlikely heroes agitate for a return to fair dealing. For anyone who cares about the soul and survival of horse racing, this book is an impassioned call to arms.

A Big Key To Winning
This book is tightly focused on just one handicapping subject, the Key Race. A Key Race is generally defined as a race from which two or more horses have gone on to win their next races. The idea here is that if two or more horses from this race have gone on to win their next, then the race was unusually competitive. Doesn't it follow then, that many other horses in the race probably ran better that it may appear at first?
A nice idea, but can it produce winning wagers? That's the subject addressed by this book. The book begins by illustrating a few Key Races, but goes on to document real results using this handicapping tool. Finally, it shows you how to identify horses coming from key races and how to use this knowledge to improve your handicapping results.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH Smarty Jones-the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and near Belmont Stakes Triple Crown winner finally opens up about his life on and off the racetrack. The Thoroughbred Thinker hurls some zingers, and throws a few ringers on the horseracing establishment. In this fact-based fable, America's horse touches on topics spanning leadership & motivation to humor & humility. Smarty gives an education ranging from the history of the horse, to the traits of a champion.Pony up with a feel-good Philadelphia story, and learn how this blue collar horse has touched and restored the lives of those around him. Catch the emotion as he runs for the Roses and carries an entire nation on his back. Go in depth with Smarty and learn his Team's tale of hard work and big hearts.With a focus on entertaining and teaching the reader, Smarty delivers the inside story of his family, friends, fans, and place in history. He provides a stable's worth of wisdom, and lessons of life in the fast lane.

How to identify long shots in thoroughbred horse racing. How to identify "false favorites" in thoroughbred horse racing.

There are a huge number of variables that can affect the outcome of a horse race. The serious handicapper has to deal with them one way or another. The objective of this book is not to develop a handicapping "system," but to offer a number of tools that can relieve you from tedious manual calculations or check lists. It does this by describing and explaining a set of more than 25 different spreadsheets and PC programs. These range from simple odds/probabilities calculations to creating a personal odds line, to analyzing exactas, to correlation and regression analysis. What's more, all of these are available as free downloads from the internet.

THIS 36 PAGE ARTICLE WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE BOOK: Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding: The Story of the Sport and Background of the Horse Industry, by Tom R. Underwood. To purchase the entire book, please order ISBN 1419160702.

Horse Talk is a fun, informative, and handy guide, dedicated to helping people understand Thoroughbred racing and training terminology. Over 207 words or phrases defined, explained and used in a creative sentence by the opinion of the author.With the exception of some track conditions, betting terms, and medications.

Make sure to check out Mr. Tuttle's blog site (http: //thetuttlemathpsm.com/); for winning picks and much more. Plus, it's a wonderful way to read some very lengthy excerpts of all nine of his horse handicapping books currently selling on Amazon.com. This book is a bit more "advanced," and tackles a lot of "Now" issues. Plus, it talks in great detail about Mr. Tuttle's "step-by-step" way in which he handicaps, hence the title....."The Tuttle Way."

Hook to the BookThere are two, I repeat, two things standing in the way of your personal success with exotic wagering. One of the two is you. The other is a paradox involving your approach, the standard approach, to playing the exotics. I will provide you a quick, yet thorough explanation in this book. Realizing your vision of winning exotic wagers consistently necessitates a brand-new mindset, and then soon you will be on the surefire road to unparalleled success. You are only a couple of hours away from identifying the other hurdle, thus obliterating the hindrances and obtaining your long-elusive dream.

This book will give you the race track betting basics needed when gambling / handicapping on the ponies. Dealing with sports & outdoor recreation of: thoroughbred racing & wagering. After reading this book you should possess the basics to be a successful horse handicapper which will bring you joyful entertainment as you watch your horses cross the finish line in the big races such as The Kentucky Derby, The Belmont, and The Preakness just to name a few. This will hopefully be the first of many OTB and racetrack betting guides I publish. So I hope you have as much fun reading the book, as I had writing it.

Reprint 1961 edition. p.224. Sonora Carver was an American entertainer, most notable as one of the first female horse divers. Carver answered an ad placed by "Doc" William Frank Carver in 1923 for a diving girl and soon earned a place in circus history.Her job was to mount a running horse as it reached the top of a forty-foot (sometimes sixty-foot) tower and sail down along the animal's back as it plunged into a deep pool of water directly below. Sonora was a sensation and soon became the lead diving girl for Doc Carver's act as they traveled the country. In 1931, Sonora was blinded, a retinal detachment, due to hitting the water off-balance with her eyes open.while diving her horse, Red Lips, on New Jersey's Steel Pier, the act's permanent home since 1929. After her accident Sonora continued to dive horses until 1942.

The untold story of the worlds most famous and successful thoroughbred stallion during his racing career told by his race track groom.

This is the 25th edition of the highly regarded guide to two year olds by Steve Taplin. The book profiles around 1,500 two year olds each year, and of particular importance to the punter are the author's perceptive pedigree assessments gathered in pre-season interviews.Steve Taplin is very well known and trusted by trainers in the UK and Ireland, and they are therefore happy to give him the inside line on their best horses. The book also includes a foreword from leading trainer John Gosden. Laid out in an easy-to-use A-Z format by trainer, the book also features a wealth of detailed statistics - stallion references, racing trends, indexes to sires and dams, star two year olds, bloodstock assessments and much more.

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.

Before Jackie Robinson ever donned a Dodger uniform - there was Tom Bass. Before Rosa Parks ever demanded a seat in the front of the bus - there was Tom Bass. Before Martin Luther King ever had a dream - there was Tom Bass. Before Barack Obama ever ran for President - there was the legend of Tom Bass - the black horse whisperer. Born a slave, Tom Bass rose to the summit of what had always been a white man's profession, the training of the America's greatest Saddlebred horses. At nine years old this Mozart of the equestrian world used his extraordinary natural talent to teach an outlaw mule who couldn't even be handled to canter backwards. An advocate of gentleness and patience, Bass turned dangerous horses into reliable mounts - without ever raising his voice or using a whip. His immense knowledge of equine psychology allowed the man who had been born in a slave cabin to invent a revolutionary and humane bit, still in use today. Yet Bass's greatest achievements were in the saddle, not in the training ring. What he was able to entice horses to do defies belief. His consummate skill and immense empathy with horses allowed him to produce horses of such exquisite proficiency that their accomplishments are still remembered today. Buffalo Bill's famous white horse, Columbus, was one such legendary talent. Bass was able largely to transcend the race barrier because he was accounted the greatest horseman of the late nineteenth century. The first black American ever to ride in Madison Square Garden, in an age when racial segregation ruled the nation, Tom Bass was the mounted friend of five presidents of the United States, including Teddy Roosevelt. Upon Tom's death in 1934, his name was a household word, synonymous with equestrian feats of unparalleled beauty and achievement. Then his story faded into oblivion, until this fascinating biography of America's most remarkable black horseman was rescued from the shadows.