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The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing: Separating Myth From Fact to Identify the Genuine Gems & Dandies 1946-2003

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The best that you can hope for in a book is that it will not only make you think, but keep you coming back for more. Richard Sowers' recent compendium, "The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing;Separating Myth From Fact to Identify the Genuine Gems & Dandies 1946-2003" has done this and so much more.
This 500-plus page labor of love seems a daunting task, but Sowers leaves the reader as satiated as a trip to a five-star restaurant, eagerly awaiting his or her return sojourn. In this case, it's as easy as going to your coffee table and perusing the table of contents or the appendix. Nuggets abound.
Also, how can you not identify with the heart of a person who dedicates his massive work to the memories of Ferdinand and Exceller, two champions who met untimely ends in lonely slaughterhouses across the world - and all our departed friends and heroes of the animal kingdom who have enriched our lives?
Sowers'effort is a marathon in terms of research, but the beauty for the reader is that he or she can take it a furlong at a time. The price is like paying for a claiming horse but getting a Classic winner. What a great way to spend the winter.
Paul R. Daley
Racing Writer, Lowell Sun Newspaper

The Abstract Primer Of Thoroughbred Racing: Separating Myth From Fact To Identify The Genuine Gems & Dandies 1946-2003 by thoroughbred racing expert and journalist Richard Soers is an immense reference of raw data to aid the reader in identifying the best race horses in almost every category. Only a small portion of The Abstract Primer Of Thoroughbred Racing is devoted to informative essays concerning such matters as significant trends in generations of breeding and racing. Most of The Abstract Primer Of Thoroughbred Racing presents pure information - equestrian ancestry trees, and staggering lists of race standings, victories, horses, and jockies. An index in back allows for quick and easy lookup of the performance of a particular steed or person. A must-have for any dedicated follower of races seeking to trace conclusions directly from solid information.

I have been a fan of Thoroughbred racing since I was 4 years old in 1969, and have owned many fine reference books on the sport over the years. I used to have every single American Racing Manual from 1936 until 1994, then decided to sell them. I regretted it at the time, but now that I have the Abstract Primer of Thorougbred Racing, I dont regret selling the ARMS :) What a magnificent book. Very well written, great details and plenty of info makes me literally not want to put it down. A real GREAT read