The most expensive thirty seconds in sports.
Every year, on Valentine's Day, the great Thoroughbred farms open their breeding sheds and begin t... read full description
Every year, on Valentine's Day, the great Thoroughbred farms open their breeding sheds and begin t... read full description
reviews
Jun 26, 2008
Jane
rated it: 
This book dragged and dragged, mostly because I don't think it was intended to be read by someone who has been reading The Blood-Horse for 14 years. I found his general tone - sort of a *wink-wink*, heh heh middle-school amusement - irritating and somewhat condescending, as though he intended racing neophytes to read this and giggle a little at how silly he thinks it all is. There are many, many good books, introductory and thorough, on the sport, and reading one that is both disjointed and not
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Mar 19, 2008
Robert
rated it: 
Kevin Conley, $tud: Adventures in Breeding (Bloomsbury, 2002)
“The most expensive thirty seconds in sports,” the single line on the back of the book tells us, pointedly printed over the hindquarters part of a full-jacket photograph of Storm Cat, the most expensive American sire in history. New Yorker writer Kevin Conley takes us on a tour through the wild, weird world of horse breeding (mostly Thoroughbred, but a chapter is devoted to Standardbreds as well), and we get to meet a lot o More...
“The most expensive thirty seconds in sports,” the single line on the back of the book tells us, pointedly printed over the hindquarters part of a full-jacket photograph of Storm Cat, the most expensive American sire in history. New Yorker writer Kevin Conley takes us on a tour through the wild, weird world of horse breeding (mostly Thoroughbred, but a chapter is devoted to Standardbreds as well), and we get to meet a lot o More...
Jul 24, 2010
Gerri
rated it: 
I got this book because I didn't know much about racehorses once they left the track, what actually happens. This--in a way both unvarnished and often very, very funny--gives insight into many aspects of the breeding business, for Thoroughbreds but also for other breeds. It's an eye opening read; I learned a lot. I also could not put it down because it was a very enjoyable read as well.
Rated: A+
Rated: A+
Jul 31, 2010
Monique
rated it:
Sunday Telegraph says "Kevin Conley is the Bill Bryson of the breeding shed." An engaging look at thoroughbred farms and their breeding sheds. If you're mildly interested in horse racing, this will seal the deal because it's so damn interesting.
Aug 06, 2009
Dlyon
rated it: 
For those looking for insight into the horse racing industry beyond the popular Seabiscuit narrative should try Kevin Conley's tale of one of the most successful stallions of all-time.
Aug 06, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
A decent book, but lacking a good story line. Interesting if you are in the horse breeding business.
May 17, 2009
Jonathan
rated it:
Fun, light read about life on a bunch of different stud farms. Aimed for the non-enthusiast, but I still learned a few things and enjoyed it.
Oct 14, 2008
Rachael
rated it:
Entertaining and informative, but a bit too much unexplained horse-lingo for a layperson. I especially liked how Conley explored several different types of breeding operations, not just the standard thoroughbred, high-money/high stakes. This gave the book more depth and interest.
Apr 29, 2008
Mike
rated it:
I have not yet finished this. Its a small book that I pick up every few weeks and read a section, then say "this is quite good." But since there's no real discernible narrative, it's hard to plow through.
Aug 29, 2008
Rae
rated it:
Conley answered a lot of questions I had about the business of horse breeding...and it is a multi-million dollar business! I found this book fascinating.
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