Traits of a Winner: The Formula for Developing Thoroughbred Racehorses [Hardcover]

Carl A. Nafzger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

Thoroughbred trainer Carl Nafzger took 84 year-old Frances Genter's gawky yearling, Unbridled, and turned him into a Kentucky Derby winner and Breeders' Cup Champion. Millions of television viewers were touched as Nafzger hugged the frail first lady of the turf and declared, "You've won the Kentucky Derby! I love you!" Now Nafzger gives you his methods for developing champion Thoroughbreds in his book, Traits of a Winner: The Formula for Developing Thoroughbred Racehorses. In it he explains the four traits every champion racehorse must have and how to find those traits and develop them. Nafzger explains the key elements in successful Thoroughbred ownership. He tells you what to look for in a racing prospect, how much you should spend and how to bid during an auction. Nafzger gives you the key elements to breaking young horses so they reach the racetrack fit and ready to go to work. Once at the track, Nafzger tells you how to get "inside the horse's mind" and design a training program specifically for the individual. Nafzger shares his secrets for winning. He tells you when you should hire the best jockey and when you shouldn't, how to shoe your horses so they remain sound, and how to feed for optimum performance. You will learn how to ship into races so your horse arrives ready to race, how to campaign the Derby prospect, allowance runners, older horses and claimers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carl Nafzger has trained Thoroughbreds for 25 years. He and his wife Wanda operate Broken N Stable, which travels among Churchill Downs, Arlington Park, Saratoga and Gulfstream Park and includes some of the finest Thoroughbreds in the world.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Chapter 1: Anyone can train a racehorse - but they will only become successful if they really learn to understand horses. . . . You're going to read with frequency in the following pages about adjusting. I don't mean the horse's ability to adjust to a certain regimented training program. I mean adjustment on the part of the trainer and everyone else connected with the horse. You can establish on paper or in your mind the most logical training program in the world for a horse, but if it is unhappy or uncomfortable in that regimen, it will be unsuccessful because the horse will not perform to the best of its ability.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 282 pages
• Publisher: Russell Meerdink Company; First Edition edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929346327
• ISBN-13: 978-0929346328
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,079,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars sound advice, readable text, November 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Traits of a Winner: The Formula for Developing Thoroughbred Racehorses (Hardcover)

Appropriate for thoroughbred racing fans, aspiring trainers and new owners. This book is the product of years of shedrow wisdom. Includes stories and anecdotes about Nafzger's experiences as a trainer including his Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic campaigns with Unbridled. All is used to illustrate his formula for a successful racehorse. The text is quite readable. There are a few printing errors, but the book is adequately constructed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars worthwhile, May 1, 2000

By 

fblaw6 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traits of a Winner: The Formula for Developing Thoroughbred Racehorses (Hardcover)

This is a book by a very conventional trainer about the training and care of Unbridled to win the Derby and Breeder's Cup. Mr. Nafzger sets out the training program of Unbridled, and for his stable, and as such the book gives a valuable insight into the methods of one successful trainer. I think Mr.Nafzger is to be congratulated and thanked for putting all this in writing. If you want to know how the majority of your trainers at the race track operate, this book is most instructive.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful process to evaluate & develop a real winner!, February 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Traits of a Winner: The Formula for Developing Thoroughbred Racehorses (Hardcover)

Easy to read. The story flows very well. It educated me to understand the key steps to make it to the top. Mr. Nafzger is a confident and honest man. It is a wonderful book for me to improve the quality of my thoroughbred stock. I have even hired Mr. Nafzger for my horses! (TWYLA'S STAR, ZUMBROTA'S TIGER & KRIDER BOY) Enjoy a book written by a Derby Winning Trainer! Someone who has accomplished what he is talking about. I've always believed opportunity most often visits the prepared mind. Let this book get you prepared!