Secretariat by Raymond G. Woolfe
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Book Reviews of Secretariat
Book Review: This Book is Truly One of a Kind-Like Secretariat Himself!
Summary: 5 Stars
How does one even begin to describe the greatest horse of all time? I suppose it probably helped to have spent a lot of time with the horse, which Ron Turcotte certainly did. And no doubt, it helped that said horse broke all records in the Derby, Preakness and the Belmont, and did it with such style! How well I remember the Derby! Our senior prom was the night before and everyone in our group wanted to make sure we were back from the beach in plenty of time to watch Secretariat as he made history with his 1:59 and 2/5's to win. Then on to the Preakness, with his famous lunge going into the turn past two horses, and then 'clean-up time' as he moved past all of them, on the turn. One of the more interesting quotes-and this book has many of them- is George Cusimano, riding Ecole Etage describing what it was like when Secretariat flew by his horse: '" When he came by, it felt like a freight train passing-blew the number right off my sleeve."' And what is there to say about the Belmont? Quite simply, a quiet reverence to the unreality of what this horse was doing. 31 lengths-one sixteenth of a mile ahead of the other horses. Sensational! This book is also chock full of photos, from the one on page 27 when he was a ' " big, well made foal," to the photos of his dam, Somethingroyal and his sire, Bold Ruler, to the touchingly, poignant photo of Penny Chenery saying goodbye to Secretariat, with Lucien Laurin and sculpter Jim Reno looking on.I felt when he died, that our nation's national pet had died. He represented everything that was wonderful and great about our country because he made us feel good about ourselves. Thank Heaven we still have him on film. He'll be with us forever and always, forever in our hearts. Miss you, Big Red.
Book Review: He wasn't just another great horse
Summary: 5 Stars
On Oct. 4, 1989 the evening news shows carried the story that Secretariat had been euthanized. I cried my heart out. Called in sick to work the next day. My personal hero had left us. The current generation of Barbaro-worshippers can't understand what it was like to watch The Red run. You knew you were watching history unfold, as much as when Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon. Secretariat lifted up an entire nation, kissed it and put it back down. We were sick of Vietnam, sick of Watergate, sick of being the trashcan the world kicks down the street. Secretariat, the most magnificent assemblage of bone, muscle, brain and heart walked out in front of us and said, "watch me." Simple and to the point. Bred in America. Homegrown and hardworking. And setting the gold standard for perfection. This book simply reminds everyone how he was and how he made us feel. Nearly 20 years later I still cry my heart out on October 4th. But I look at his photos and read the stories about him and I am grateful to have been a witness to something that defies description.Book Review: Big Red Still Makes My Eyes Well and My Heart Swell
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched the Disney movie and then was compelled to look up all the old books on Big Red that I'd read before. It's funny, but the passage of time doesn't seem to lessen the emotion I feel about this amazing horse, and in reading this book, I found myself deeply involved again in all the players and the stories behind each race. I love the photos, and some of them brought tears, such as Secretariat being led off the track for the last time, Ron Turcotte kissing him goodbye, and especially the picture of Eddie Sweat, the groom, standing alone with his suitcase, back to the camera, but apparently wiping tears as he said goodbye to Secretariat at Claiborne farm. Those of us who have been impacted by this horse will love to go back in time with this story and these pictures, but a warning that the "Where They Are" section at the end can really bring up the emotions. You realize that not just the horse, but the people around him, touched you deeply. I'm glad there are books like this, videos, and a web site to help us keep Big Red alive in our hearts.Book Review: The most inspirational thoroughbred that ever lived !
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading all these wonderful reviews, I don't think I can contribute anything more with mere words. Being fortunate enough to have been around thoroughbreds, and just plain horses all my life, this horse, since day one that I saw him, for some reason, struck some chord in my being that was very deep, sometimes you meet or come in contact with beings that seem to be kindred spirits of some very close nature. Secretariat was one of those very inspirational beauties.
This book does him true justice. Also the reviews, I mean 5's across !!
Just as a side note, I don't know how many watched the Belmont Stakes this year, (2009), but the horse that won, Summer Bird, looked somewhat like Big Red. The horse, (Mine that Bird), that he ran by at the finish line is his half brother, (both by Birdstone), the only difference is one of the great great grandfathers on the, (Summer Birds)dams side is........ you guessed it, Secretariat. Blessings.....
Book Review: He will always be #1 to me
Summary: 5 Stars
I was wounded on 12/24/72 on the Bassac River,Vietnam.I came home and was at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital in April of 73when I first heard of Secretariat.My Mom was a an avid horse racing fan,so I watched his Derby and Preakness on T.V..I felt that I had to see this horse in person so when I went to New York to see my parents I went to the Belmont on the day he ran.
I was feeling really bad about myself from the war,but when I saw him in the circle before he went out to the track,I felt cleansed.I don't want to sound all flowery and all,but I'm sorry if no one understands.They weren't there with me.He looked me right in the eye and I felt good for the first time in a long time.I didn't feel that I would ever feel good again,but a horse changed all that in me with just one look.Imagine that.For making me feel better,I owe him that,and will alwys love him for it.I bet $100.00 dollars on him that day.I still have the ticket.