Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart [Hardcover]

Sean Clancy (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Barbaro, the charismatic 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, thrilled racing fans everywhere with his brilliant victories. But he won hearts around the world with his gallant fight for life after a shattering breakdown in the Preakness Stakes. Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart chronicles Barbaro's early days, his life at bucolic Fair Hill and journey down the Triple Crown trail, and the heroics of his trainer, former Olympic show jumper Michael Matz. Award-winning writer Sean Clancy details Barbaro's surgery and ensuing complications, bringing the reader close to the cutting-edge veterinary science and dedicated surgeon who nearly pulled off the impossible.

More than 100 color photos pay tribute to the great courage and spirit of the most popular racehorse of recent time. Award-winning author Sean Clancy chronicles Barbaro's story and pays tribute "to a horse who made us think, who made us cry, and who made us believe."

From the Inside Flap

With his unbeaten record and magnificent good looks, Barbaro enthralled the public with his dominating performance in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Running the length of the Churchill Downs stretch in isolated splendor, the bay colt seemed destined for greatness. His story was that much more captivating for the real-life heroics of his trainer, former Olympic show jumper Michael Matz. The Pennsylvania-born horseman had survived a horrific plane crash in 1989 and saved the lives of three young children who were reunited with Matz to witness Barbaro's Derby.

Already anointed the first Triple Crown winner in 33 years, Barbaro went into the Preakness Stakes seemingly invincible. Then a terrible misstep just after the start dashed those Triple Crown dreams. Instead, Barbaro fought for his life, his right hind leg shattered. Talented veterinarians at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center worked desperately, using cutting-edge techniques, to save Barbaro as people all over the country rallied to support the colt. Despite a grave prognosis and several setbacks, Barbaro continues to defy the odds - and to inspire.

Award-winning sports writer Sean Clancy deftly chronicles Barbaro's story, from his promising beginning as the pride of owner/breeders Roy and Gretchen Jackson to his galant battle to recover. A former champion steeplechase jockey, Clancy provides readers with access to racing behind the scenes and the people whose lives Barbaro has touched.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 191 pages
• Publisher: Eclipse Press (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581501595
• ISBN-13: 978-1581501599
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,059,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tribute To The Greatest Of Champions, April 4, 2007

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart (Hardcover)

This could be the most anticipated book ever that covers Thoroughbred racing, and it is a most perfect trip from gate-to-wire.

Author Sean Clancy tells the triumphant and tragic story of Barbaro as it happens, with the reader feeling the euphoria of victory, heartfelt pain of uncertainty and anger seconds after the start of the Preakness Stakes & the optimism that - through the surgeries and setbacks - this champion was going to beat the long odds, because we were urging him to make that great drive to the finish line to defeat death by a nose.

As Clancy explained in a recent column in The Blood-Horse magazine, he was confronted with a deadline as Barbaro's health began to teeter precariously for what was the final time. Those final words to close the book really aren't the end, though, as Barbaro's death won't be in vain if research avenues open up that will save the lives of racers in years to come and each runner who gives it all for us on the track is treated with respect & dignity when that inevitable final home stretch in life is being run.

The wealth of pictures alone tells the story and shows the time & thought that went into the planning for the book.

Barbaro captured America's heart in a way that is rarely seen in today's sports media. But it was his trust in caretakers and will to live that ultimately showed that Barbaro had the biggest heart of all.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! A true tribute to the amazing Barbaro! Quite possibly the best book I have ever seen in tribute to a horse!, March 20, 2007

By 

EquusFemina (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart (Hardcover)

First of all, I received this book a bit early for some reason. But I am not complaining!

THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC! I am blown away by every single page! THIS is THE book the FOBs (Fans of Barbaro) have been waiting for, truly!

It is beautiful, and the photographs are nothing short of spectactular! If you haven't ordered this book ... please do! It should be something EVERY FOB has on their desk. It is quite possibly the most gorgeous book I have ever seen!

The hundred pictures or so are all of extremely high quality, and though I haven't had a chance to read it all yet, what I did skim through so far is touching and eloquent! The eulogy at the end, especially the "author's note," is extremely heartfelt and moving.

Most fans have already learned that there are some online chapters, but what a lot of you don't know is how gorgeous the pictures are ... and I have to say that a lot of the pictures are brand new to my eyes! Several of the photos from Barbaro's early races are rare, to be sure ... and there are a lot of stunning pictures of Barbaro and his jockey Edgar Prado that are awe-inspiring!

The love, hope and pain that Barbaro's story evoked just bleeds through every single page of this book! It is 190 pages of pure love!

There are copies of Barbaro's race charts, his pedigree, credits for more than 100 breathtaking photos, and just about everything a Barbaro fan could want in a book! Mr. Clancy put every effort forth one could possibly make to create this superb tribute to America's most loved horse.

This book is truly worthy of being on your coffee table! Bless Sean Clancy for writing this truly inspiring masterpiece! Order it, I promise if you loved Barbaro - you won't be disappointed!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BEAUTIFUL, SUPERB BARBARO Bio & Pictures, April 12, 2007

By 

Kim Lambert "Animal Lover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart (Hardcover)

I also received my order early and was amazed at the beauty contained in this book! I haven't had an opportunity to read much of the contents, but immediately looked at the wonderful pictures. Just seeing some of the close-ups of Barbaro brought tears to my eyes; he was such a magnificent animal and like so many others, I followed his journey to the end, so I'm very thankful to have this wonderful book!

Thank you, Sean Clancy, for writing about and showing us the beloved horse who did, indeed, capture our hearts.