Women in Racing: in Their Own Words [Hardcover]

John Mcevoy (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Eclipse Press (1980)
• ASIN: B000N6333W
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Women in Racing In Their Own Words, September 20, 2001

By 

Sarah Sehitoglu (Urbana, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women in Racing: In Their Own Words (Hardcover)

That interviewees in Women in Racing are so forthcoming and honest about their lives in the horse racing world speaks to the quality of the McEvoys' rapport and relationships with this large cast of women that includes a pari-mutuel clerk, a track official, a clocker, a jockey, owner-breeder, veterinarian, and more. They have a drive and tenacity that is probably only rivaled by women at the top of Fortune 500 companies. Each story is inspirational to anyone who dares to dream.

The chapter on Maria Rabadan, a groom, can move you to tears. Nevertheless, her story and each of the other stories are about triumph. You'll get a lot of chuckles out of these stories. Christine Salvino, a paddock judge, tells a hilarious anecdote about a horse that wouldn't allow a saddle on its back except when the call to post was played by the bugler! Read chapter 13 to get dieting tips from the "girl in red" Zoe Cadman (the jockey). She goes on the "Don't eat" diet to get thin and she doesn't lift weights because she says she's too muscular already.

Interestingly, many of these women seem driven by successful fathers with high expectations. (That would make a great psychological study!) All of them are serious sportswomen. Many describe themselves as conscious of the women's movement, but too busy to have taken part in it. Some of the women focus on gender as a defining issue and others ignore it, but they all say they had to work twice as hard as men to get the same opportunities.

The narratives bring the reader into each woman's private world. I always wanted to know what Charlsie Cantey thought while having to ride alongside jockeys with a microphone strapped to her or how women in racing coped with sexual harassment and so few ladies' rooms! Almost all of the women lament the loss of "characters" and colorful people in the racing field, as well as the change from racing as a family passion to a bottom line business.

Donna Porter (a racing official) recounts that she could only get on the back side unless her husband signed her in at the stable gate. Whether it was fear of lawsuits claiming discrimination, women's demands, or the changing times, thankfully the racing world has changed. Women have become president of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and winners of the Eclipse Awards. Go Baby Go is right!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Women In Racing worthy read, August 16, 2002

By 

Molly (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women in Racing: In Their Own Words (Hardcover)

"Women in Racing" is a collection of stories from many different facets of women in the sport. And frankly, you'll be suprised at what some of them have to say.

None of the chapters are too long and the book is just as good read skipping randomly from chapter to chapter as it would reading it cover to cover. Reading it is easy, no fighting to stick with a laboring plot line through 350 pages like some books.

A very good read with interesting characters. The best part is, like Seabiscuit, the women in this book are real. That is better than fiction.

5.0 out of 5 stars Women in Racing: In Their Own Words, October 25, 2001

By 

MeyerinCa (Berkeley, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women in Racing: In Their Own Words (Hardcover)

Here's a real treasure for girls and women who grew up loving horses and those who didn't--and for boys and men who want to know more about what goes on behind the scenes and on the turf in horseracing. These interviews with 18 women in all facets of horseracing are inspiring, informative, and just plain fun. There are trainers, breeders, and jockeys, of course, and backstretch workers, grooms, veterinarians, racing publicists, journalists, and photographers, as well as paddock judges, chart callers, mutuel clerks, and the most exotic of all-a horse tattooer! For ages 12 to adult, this is a special look into a world most of us know little about but are intrigued by the excitement and pagentry we catch glimpses of from time to time.