Gold Mine Processing Associate Brenda Cook recommends The Horse that God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World’s Greatest Racehorse by Lawrence Scanlan.
This book is a first hand account by author Lawrence Scanlan, as he journeys through areas of the racehorse industry, specifically regarding the great race horse Secretariat. He uncovers facts pertaining to the keepers of the famous horse, otherwise known as the backsiders.
Many see the results after the race but what goes on to get the horse to the race and keep him as a top winner is unknown to many.
Secretariat was most known for not only becoming a triple crown winner, but breaking all track records along the way and winning the last leg of the crown by an astonishing 31 lengths. To most who don’t follow horse racing this means nothing, therefore the person who would enjoy reading this book would be someone who may be a horse race enthusiast or just into horses.
The author gives you insight of all involved—trainers, jockeys, exercise riders, and most importantly the grooms. The grooms feed, nurture, and tend to every need of the horse. Should the horse become a big time valuable horse, there are even more demands entailing 24-hour watch and sleepless nights. Eddie Sweat was such a man who took care of Secretariat as if he was his own child. Sacrifices that separated him many times from his family while on the road and on planes during the horse’s travels.
The grooms are the most forgotten but most important in the horses life. The author’s goal is to pay tribute Eddie Sweat the groom. There are many important facts the author uncovers. The read is flowing and easy, I think most would understand the verbiage even if not a horse person. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy horse history.
