2009 will close out the decade of 2000-2009, so it is time to look back and see who was the best in horse racing over the last ten years. A look at the top trainers, jockeys, and horses.
2009 will close out the decade of 2000-2009, so it is time to look back and see who was the best jockey and trainer over the last ten years.
My top picks for horse racing history books.
The new inductees to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame for 2004 are trainer Shug McGaughey, jockey Kent Desormeaux, Skip Away, and Flawlessly. Find out all about them here.
Several interesting historical articles from retired journalist Ron Hale.
Lots of photos, a video, and links to recaps of his racing career.
Hubert "Sonny" Hine, best known as the trainer of 1998 Horse of the Year Skip Away.
A look at the life and career of legendary jocky Bill Shoemaker.
A look at the life and career of prominent owner W.T. Young of Overbrook Farm.
A look at the life and career of Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham, the "Bald Eagle".
A look at the life and career of prominent New York owner Ogden Phipps.
A look at the life and career of Hall of Fame trainer Woody Stephens, best known for winning five Belmont Stakes in a row in the 1980's.
A look at the life and career of prominent California owner John C. Mabee of Golden Eagle Farm.
A look at the life and career of prominent owner Allen Paulson who owned Arazi and Cigar among others.
Classic racing photos and history from the Maryland Jockey Club. Definitely worth a look.
There isn't a direct link to the story, but when you go to the link above, either scroll down until you see the name Asahel Burnham or better yet search for the phrase "Without other experience or knowledge of horses" to get to the racing info. Really interesting if a bit hard to get to.
History of a racing giant with lots of nice photos.
Really nice article about the three tracks at Coney Island in the late 1800's to early 1900's: Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay, and Gravesend.
In January 1925 the original Hialeah Park opened in Florida. Today the building is falling to pieces due to weather damage and neglect, and the barns which housed so many great horses have been torn down.
A database that lists all the year end champions going back to 1944.
Stories about famous horses throughout history, including several famous racers.
Historical info, stats, and videos of stretch runs from NYRA.
Article transcribed from an 1842 edition of "The American Turf and Sport Digest"
History of racing's championship day with a year by year recap and statistics.
History of the now defunct "Santa Anita of the Rockies". Alas the location is now apartments, condos, and offices.
Chronological history of the third oldest track in the country.
Bio of the famous Italian breeder with some interesting photos. Click the translate button to read it in English or go for Italian.
History from the Horse in Sport exhibit at the International Museum of the Horse. Excellent.
Interesting essay on the various types of horse racing and a brief history of each.
Some interesting historical info and paintings.
Nice exhibit from the National Museum of Racing with lots of good information.
Research library in Middleburg, VA, that is home to more than 15,000 books on horse and field sports dating back to the 1500s.
Info on the start of the Kentucky Derby, American sires, Isaac Murphy, and Tod Sloan.
Lots of old racing photos and a couple of bios of horsemen from Saskatchewan.
Focuses on the history and individuals contributing to the grand tapestry of the modern Thoroughbred's pedigree.
History from the Horse in Sport exhibit at the International Museum of the Horse. Excellent.
An overview of the Preakness from the Maryland Jocky Club.
Historical info about many big races worldwide and other useful data.
A newsletter of race track nostalgia. Some interesting old photos, quotes, and stories.
Links to historical info about the Derby from Churchill Downs.
Images of the ancestors of today's thoroughbreds.
History of the world's first automatic totalisator machine.
All about the museum and a listing of all the Hall of Fame members with bios for each.
About the race track in Tonawanda and how the anti-gambling laws at the turn of the century killed it.
The story of Citation's jockey who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle.
