Steve Haskin (1)

I was too young to know of Kelso when he was winning Horse of the Year five times in a row, but author Steve Haskin does a really good job of rectifying that privation. Haskin doesn't write down to his audience, but doesn't overwhelm either, acquainting the reader with the most important and interesting aspects of his subject matter.

Kelso was a thoroughbred of modest pedigree, who wasn't good looking, and at first had an attitude against anyone who wanted to ride him. His owner tried to sell show more him but had no takers, even though he'd won a couple minor races. And then, as a three-year-old, Kelso started showing his worth. He went on to break records, beat all comers, and almost make two million dollars in lifetime earnings, an unheard of amount in the early 1960s.

You don't have to like horse racing to appreciate this bio of an American racing legend. show less

Back in the 1960s there was a thoroughbred racehorse that was so fast he broke long-standing records with ease. His name was Dr. Fager, and his story is eloquently told in this well-written bio by Steve Haskin.

I was too young to have been aware of this star of racing while he was active, and appreciate that someone decided to make his story available, forty years later.

Regarding the book, the author keeps the narrative moving along smartly, yet manages to include trivia that the casual show more racing fan might not be aware of. I really enjoyed this read and plan to keep the book for a future reread. show less

In this book the author, who has been an insider in racing for years, gives us a view behind the scenes of some famous and not-so-famous thoroughbreds involved in the US Triple Crown races. Some of the stories will make you chuckle, some will make you tear up, but all should entertain and inform you about the other side of horse racing, the one not always in public view. Definitely recommended, and not just for the horsey set.

Another excellent bio by Steve Haskin, this time about a cheap throwaway thoroughbred yearling that sold for $1100 but became a world champion and the all-time winnings leader. As with his other books, the author gives enough information to keep both the non-horsey reader and the avid racing enthusiast interested. Definitely recommended.