Has anyone read the new book just published, The Greatest Racehorse? Man o’ War and the Judgment of History? I haven’t read it but am curious. Supposedly analyzes several greats across eras, which is always tricky. I looked on Amazon last night, but no reviews yet, good or bad, which is a bit odd. Maybe Amazon is behind in reviewing reviews.
FWIW, I do think MOW was probably the best, but I’m interested in the author’s techniques in comparison. Will probably wind up buying it myself.
Man Of War was in a league by himself, so was Secretariat.
Any one that saw Secretariat run knows they will never see another such horse racing.
Now under other criteria, influence on the breed, length of running years, wins and placings, in what company, money earned, many other ways we may care to measure, it depends what you emphasize to name best.
As merely out of this world while racing, I still think Secretariat will win any discussion — by several lengths.
I’m on the Libby library list to be notified when it comes in. I read the sample and there are comparisons between MOW and others in their fields of expertise. For example MOW is compared to Count Fleet in terms of beating good horses, to Dr Fager in demonstrating versatility, etc. Plus it sounds like the setting in the 1920s is also a character, making the book sound like one I will be crazy about. We shall see!
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