Horse Racing's Holy Grail: The Epic Quest for the Kentucky Derby

by Steve Haskin

Horse Racing's Holy Grail takes readers behind the scenes of the Kentucky Derby, examining what it takes to win one of America's greatest sporting events. 25 full-color photos.

Genres: Horse Racing, Horses

221 pages, Hardcover

First published April 25, 2002

Reviews

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I see the title of this book - "Horse Racing's Holy Grail: The Epic Quest for the Kentucky Derby" - I expect a serious kind of a history lesson on horse racing. That's not what this book provides. Instead, author Steve Haskin provides a good natured take into mostly recent history of the Derby, mostly the years he has been covering it. He mostly discusses the different "rules of thumb" that people use to handicap the race, ideas like choosing an experienced trainer, and a similar jockey, and dosage factors. He relates stories about each of the rules that he mentions, mostly with humorous anecdotes, many personally witnessed. This came across more like a Patrick McManus story from Outdoor Life than a typical horse race writer. The book's print is large and sparse on the page, and there are many photos inline in the text, so this is a very quick read. If this is the kind of thing you are looking for, great. If you are looking for more of a history lesson, look elsewhere. I enjoyed the amusing interlude.

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit tongue in cheek, this is an oddball guide to trying to predict a Derby winner. I'm glad he mentioned Joe Hirsch, an absolute legend when it comes to writing about the Sport of Kings, but I did think the horses he mentioned became repetitive, and there was too much Baffert praise for me. Perhaps I might feel differently if I hadn't read it 20 years after it was published.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haskin is always excellent. And while this book is now a bit dated, it offers a great return to the "drought years" of the Triple Crown and some of the personalities who dominated. Racing needs more writers like Haskin, with an eye for detail and a passion for the backstretch.

[Tammy Gantt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve Haskin is one of the foremost experts and storytellers on the Kentucky Derby, he really brings the quest to win the world's most legendary horse race to life.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with this book. I thought it was going to be an in depth view of what it takes to get a horse to the Kentucky Derby, as in day by day training and feeding and planning. There were some interesting tidbits, but the author more looked at the horses that have won the Derby and looked for similarities with a view towards picking a good bet. Still, there were some interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes about famous horses, jockeys, and trainers.