Posted by Horse racing is a sport engulfed with drama, thrills, incredible stories, and heart-stopping action. In other words, the sport has a lively spirit that equestrian fans love.
Just because of the interesting stories and the drama, horse racing is a sport that is perfect for being highlighted in a book. For some stories, you really need to analyze them thoroughly in order to believe that they are true.
On top of that, we are talking about a complicated sport with a lot of variables that come into play. Some people may consider the sport to be as simple as horses racing down the finish line, but once you dig deeper you’ll find that it is a complex sport where the people involved must prepare for years in order to achieve success.
Books are perfect for opening the gates of the story of horse racing and they can provide you with a behind-the-curtains look at the sport.
This is why we decided to highlight some of the best books that every horse racing enthusiast must read.
“Seabiscuit: An American Legend” by Laura Hillenbrand
You might have already heard about Seabiscuit since this incredible story has been one of the most talked-about stories for years. It even made it into a movie.
But the best way to uncover the incredible story about Seabiscuit is by reading the book.
Hellenbrand’s masterpiece isn’t just a regular horse racing book. It is the journey of the horse that achieves success against the odds. It is about a horse that managed to lift the spirit of the entire nation in the great depression.
If you want to learn more about the American history of horse racing, and one of the biggest underdog stories, Seabiscuit is the perfect book for you.
“Lord of Misrule” by Jaimy Gordon
If you want to learn more about the true spirit of horse racing then “Lord of Misrule” is the perfect book for you. This novel won the National Book Award for Fiction in 2010, and it is divided into four sections, each highlighting one of four horse races at “Down on the Luck” racetrack.
The best thing about this novel is the language that Gordon uses. Over the years he has formed a language of the racetrack that is truly unique and easy to understand even for beginners in the industry. Many reviews praise Gordon’s control of language and the style of writing that will help you enter the world of horse racing even without invitation.
The story is about ambition, resilience, and above all, the pursuit of a dream, even though it seems unimaginable. And that’s what horse racing is about!
“Man o’ War: A Legend Like Lightning” by Dorothy Ours
If you are interested in another real-life story that highlights the beginnings, start, and rise to the top of an underdog horse, this is the book for you.
If Seabiscuit was people’s champion, then Man o’ War was the king of the racetrack. This book will bring you close to the incredible story of one of the greatest racehorses of all time. Man O’ War was so dominant that his name became synonymous with impeccable performance on the racetrack.
Man o’ War never won the Triple Crown since the horse missed the Kentucky Derby. The owner Samuel Riddle, made the mistake of not entering the Kentucky Derby since he didn’t believe in racing of 2,000m so early in a horse’s career.
The horse proved him wrong after winning the Preakness Stakes and Belmont stakes later on. If the horse raced in the Kentucky Derby, we would most likely have another Triple Crown winner.
The Kentucky Derby is an interesting race, where even underdogs can become champions. That’s why it is important to check the 2024 Kentucky Derby odds and analyze the previous performance of horses before the event.
But the book doesn’t only cover his winnings. It is a deep dive into his story, the era he lived in, and all the things that made this horse a legend.
“The Sport of Kings” by C.E. Morgan
Since we talk about horse racing, we must include a book that covers a Kentucky story. After all, the Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest horse races in the world.
The novel “The Sport of Kings” was written by C.E. Morgan in 2016 and it is about a family saga that takes place in Kentucky and Ohio.
At its heart, it’s a story about what people will do for the love of horses and the lengths they’ll go to breed a champion. It’s a hefty read, but every page promises to immerse you deeper into the intoxicating world of horse racing, complete with its triumphs and its tragedies.
American Pharoah: The Untold Story of the Triple Crown Winner’s Legendary Rise by Joe Drape
Let’s move to something more modern. Something that is tied to today’s horse racing scene, which has changed significantly since the time of Seabiscuit.
If you are a horse racing enthusiast, you probably already know about American Pharoah. This is the most recent legendary horse, that managed to win the Triple Crown. This was the first horse that managed to win all three races (Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes) after 37 years.
But we only know part of the story. If you want to learn what is like to breed a horse champion like the American Pharoah, as well as all the allegations that came after the Kentucky Derby win, this is the book for you.
It covers every aspect of American Pharoah’s journey, including the jockeys and the rest of the team that helped the horse become a legend.
