Customer Reviews

Barbaro: The Horse Who Captured America's Heart

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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.

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!

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.

If there is anything more beautiful than a horse at leisure in a pasture, playing and kicking and just being a horse, it must be a horse at the top of the Churchill Downs stretch on the first Saturday in May, straightening out from the turn, swapping leads, sailing free and heading home for glory. Barbaro gave us that, and Sean Clancy found a way to honor Barbaro's memory in words and in pictures, a way to celebrate his life rather than just remembering that horrific scene at Pimlico. Barbaro's racing legacy will stand forever as a Kentucky Derby winner, unerasable by all who saw him, but his greater legacy may be the things the vets learned from him that may save other horses down the road. A difficult legacy, and one nobody wanted, but a champion's legacy nonetheless. Thanks, Mr. Clancy, for giving us back Barbaro!

This book was beautifully written and I enjoyed every page. Barbaro touched the lives of so many of us and I still feel the sorrow of his tragic injury and ultimate death. What a courageous animal! I also want to give praise to Edgar Prado who wept for Barbaro and probably still does.

This strong, tough as nails jockey has a heart and lots of soul and I admire him tremendously. Barbaro meant much more than a paycheck to Mr. Prado. I am a fan and admirer of this man who felt so much for Barbaro mand who grieved with the rest of the world at his loss.

No praise and no words could pay proper tribute to Dr. Dean Richardson and all the staff who fought so hard to keep Barbaro alive and whose main objective was that he live a life free from pain. What a valient struggle!

It's wonderful knowing there are still professionals who truly care, and human beings who aren't afraid of having a heart and aren't afraid of allowing the world to see it.

This book is wonderful! The pictures are great and the writing is down to earth, easy to follow. If you only buy one book about Barbaro and want something more unique than the average "story", then get this one!!

Sean Clancy's book is well written, well-researched, beautifully planned, and a joy to read. The reader is taken on a journey through the training of Barbaro, from just learning to walk with leads, to learning about starting gates, to the training leading up to his racing career! Behind the story of Barbaro is the story of his "connections" and the reader learns more than sound-bites about them all. There is heart and soul in the book, and every word seems carefully chosen. The full color photographs are artfully placed, and the centerfold of the Kentucky Derby win is amazing. While we all know the sad outcome for Barbaro, the way in which Sean Clancy wrote about it is a tribute to Barbaro and all who knew him, and a joy for those who loved him! Billed as a "coffee table book," this book is a must for your library and a thoughtful gift for any animal lover you may know. Worth every penny and then some!

Mr. Clancy's book is a wonderful journey through the life of Barbaro and the extraordinary efforts of all those who took care of him. It is so well written, and the photographs are spectacular. I will treasure it as a staple in my personal library. As the author of Barbaro, America's Horse, I wish I'd had it when I was researching my own book! Enjoy this terrific chronicle of an extraordinary athlete and those who brought him to greatness.

I've never been a serious fan of horseracing and bought this book only because it was about my favorite horse. I've always known Barbaro was a loveable horse with personality and tremendous courage but never thought much about his racing career.

Sean Clancy's book touches the emotions and captures the excitement of horseracing. It lets you into the heart of the horse, the sport, and the people involved. You understand how everything fits together and see all the hard work, hopes and expectations that are put into racing. The connection of father and son is felt as Michael Matz and 9-year-old Alex walk hand in hand to the barn where Barbaro is waiting to run the Kentucky Derby. The working of a team can be envisioned as horse, exercise rider, trainer and owners walk from the barn to position for the great race. The special bond of jockey and horse is sensed as Prado climbs on Barbaro and they're off and running. For a few minutes there is nothing but horse and jockey as they race down the stretch as one. And then the moment everybody is waiting for arrives and they cross the wire. Prado congratulates Barbaro, the horse responds and you realize Barbaro knows exactly what they've done and feels pride in their accomplishment.

The pictures are awesome, carefully placed and bring color and life to the story. Barbaro's early days, training and life at New Bolton are all written about in the same heartfelt way. And no matter what his experience, Barbaro remained beautiful inside and out throughout his life.

Mr. Clancy provides us with a magnificently, well written, carefully documented and heartfelt book. If you are someone who loved this great horse, it is a must have for your library.

Photographs, presentation and a writing style that flows beautifully, keeps the reader enthralled.

Every single emotion imaginable was ignited for me while reading it. Many kudos to the author. WELL DONE! BRAVO.

Jo Singer