A quarter of a million people braved miserable conditions at Epsom Downs on June 2, 1954, to see the 175th running of the prestigious Derby Stakes. Queen Elizabeth II and Sir Winston Churchill were in attendance, along with thousands of Britons who were all convinced of the unfailing superiority of English bloodstock and eager to see a British colt take the victory. They were shocked when a Kentucky-born chestnut named Never Say Die galloped to a two-length triumph at odds of 33--1, winning Britain's greatest race and beginning an important shift in the world of Thoroughbred racing. Never Say Die traces the history of this extraordinary colt, beginning with his foaling in Lexington, Kentucky, when a shot of bourbon whiskey revived him and earned him his name. Author James C. Nicholson also tells the stories of the influential individuals brought together by the horse and his victory -- from the heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune to the Aga Khan. Most fascinating is the tale of Mona Best of Liverpool, England, whose well-placed bet on the long-shot Derby contender allowed her to open the Casbah Coffee Club. There, her son met musicians John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison and later joined their band. Featuring a foreword by the original drummer for the Beatles, Pete Best, this remarkable book reveals how an underdog's surprise victory played a part in the formation of the most successful and influential rock band in history and made the Bluegrass region of Kentucky the center of the international Thoroughbred industry.

The rich heritage of Virginia horse racing traces its roots back to the colonial days of the late seventeenth century. Horse racing began as single-day events held at county fairs, family farms, and hunt meets, taking a long and meandering path to become the sport we know and love today. "Colonial Downs and More" examines the important changes that occurred in Virginia's horse racing industry during the last half century, with a particular focus on the debates over pari-mutuel wagering. The legalization of pari-mutuel wagering became a hot-button legislative issue in the 1980s, sparked by horse breeders and owners hoping to improve the industry. In 1988, voters approved the legalization of pari-mutuel wagering, a move that opened the doors for the establishment of a new racetrack that would come to be known as Colonial Downs. Colonial Downs faced major obstacles from its inception. Construction was bogged down by licensing delays and legal issues. Nine long years elapsed before it finally opened its gates in 1997. After a modest opening, attendance and wagering slumped over the next three to five years. Nonetheless, despite the difficulties, the track and associated operations remain high quality, offering breeders and owners needed funds and providing racing fans with unparalleled fun and excitement.

This is the third in a series of handicapping books by professional handicapper Bobby Zen. He has been picking winners for some forty years, and introduces many concepts here that have never been presented to the horse racing world. There was a tremendous amount of research done for this one, going back some three years. This work is split into three sections. The first covers the picks, or choices made on horses with the best chances to win or be a part of a multi-level bet. This section goes into some pretty solid detail, and includes many revisions to the original work in 2007, Bet To Win There are some charts and some checklists to work with in this section. The second section covers the money management, or betting concepts. The fundamentals of betting are covered here, again including some charts. Here the book gets into some new areas that include how our brains work regarding money and decisions with some pretty technical information. Some self-analysis theories are included to fine tune the process. The third section gets into more technical information and theories about how to handicap yourself. Again, some checklists are included to help with this process. The reader is challenged to decide how much risk and restraint they are willing to apply as they learn how to run a betting business for themselves. There is even a section on becoming a master at this whole process. Overall, this work is geared to towards experienced race players looking to up their game in handicapping, money management; and/or getting a better understanding of their own style of horse selections and money management. This work breaks new ground on making inroads to success on betting horses for profit.

This unique system is a combination of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of each entry in a particular race. Many individuals who look at the Daily Racing Form only see the big picture. They see what everybody else sees. Therefore, they find themselves betting the favorites along with the majority. When a a long shot crosses that line first they ask themselves, "How did that horse win the race?" The Matrix system of handicapping will teach you how to dissect those past performances and create a grid of contenders. You will be taught how to identify: * Pace setters who are ready to go gate to wire * The target horse: The horse who is actually coming off the best last race, even though his running line doesn't show it. * The Ability Horse: The horse who has run the best race compared to all of the entries lifetime races. * What does it mean to calculate an "adjusted final fraction"?" What can this calculation tell you about today's runners? * Learn to look at the Beyer ratings in a whole new light by calculating a Beyer cumulative. * Easily apply your current techniques with the steps of this system. * Are you even aware that you probably shouldn't be betting every race that comes along? Most importantly, learn to cash in winning tickets 40-50% of the time. Dave Vaccaro used ideas and theories acquired from other sources over the past 21 years and combined them with his own tendencies to create this must-have manual for all thoroughbred handicapping enthusiasts.

This book is designed to help those handicappers who are looking to improve their ROI (return on investment). It will help the betters find their strengths and weaknesses with both their handicapping of the races and what bets are their stronger plays. I will show you how easy it is to set up recordkeeping to expose both situations with just a couple minutes time. How reviewing that information can expose your stronger betting situations and what type races you need to improve upon. I will include some strong angles and explanations that make them good betting situations.

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."

Alcohol. Lithium. Buddhist chanting. To quiet the voices in her mind, Sylvia Harris tried all of them. Her bipolar depression brought on bouts of erratic behavior and unsettling delusions. It led her to look for love in all the wrong places and to create a family she had difficulty caring for. But it was at the nadir of her twenty-year battle with this devastating illness that Harris found redemption in the least likely of places--an equine ranch outside Orlando, Florida.

Written with an unflinching eye toward her weaknesses and a reverent wonder at the healing power of horses, Long Shot is Harris's tale of perseverance in which an underdog in life becomes a champion on the track and her Thoroughbred becomes a beacon of hope.

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.

Every year, thousands of dollars are spent in the U.S. on horse training and riding lessons. Technique and training are important keys to a rewarding "ride," but a horse's physical, emotional and mental comfort are just as important, and often misunderstood or overlooked. "What we perceive to be 'bad behavior' is very often the result of ... any number of physiological conditions that our horses are unable to describe to us." Inspired by a true story, Sandi Bell examines symptoms and possible sources of pain or discomfort that cause resistant behavior so often mistaken for disobedience. Easy-to-understand text with correlating illustrations and photos allow a reader to have insight into the missed influences affecting our horses. "Thursday's cantering challenge was so clear to me. He wasn't trying to disobey the rider ... it was that he was hurting. His inability or refusal to pick up the canter was purely because he was in pain." Responsible horse handlers will benefit from this powerful information. Before The 'Crop' Comes Out offers a fresh perspective-steps we can take to support our horses instead of punishing them- a positive way to look at and approach horses with the respect they deserve. About the Author Sandi Bell is a horse owner, writer, consultant and instructor from the SF Bay Area. A passionate "horse advocate," she aspires to help other horse lovers understand and remedy behavioral issues not premeditated by the horse. Sandi's formal education began by attending clinics, symposiums and seminars from top horse professionals and she is currently working on a degree in Equine Science. Read her popular blog at www.heartandsoulequine.com.

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.

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.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

In the bestselling tradition of Seabiscuit, the extraordinary true story of the world's most famous racehorse, and the rogue who owned him.
Epsom Downs racetrack, 3rd May, 1769: a chestnut with a white blaze scorches across the turf towards the finishing post, leaving his rivals in the dust. Awestruck, his spectators know they are in the presence of greatness.
This is a vivid portrait of high society and low life, of passionate sport and ferocious gambling. It's the story of Eclipse's owner, an adventurer who made his money through roguery and gambling -- a rank outsider who went on to become a national celebrity -- and of his horse, which went on to become the undisputed champion of horse racing; founded dynasties that dominated the bloodstock market in every country where Thoroughbreds raced; and whose influence was such that ninety-five percent of horses racing today are Eclipse's male-line descendants.

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.

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.

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.

"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.