Headless Horsemen: A Tale of Chemical Colts, Subprime Sales Agents, and the Last Kentucky Derby on Steroids

By Jim Squires

Book Overview

A pointed and irreverent critique of thoroughbred racing's breakdown, by a prominent journalist turned horse breeder Jim Squires was in trouble. He had gone from one business seemingly intent on committing suicide to another, both led over the cliff by visionless leaders. First it was the newspaper bean-counters' blind adherence to the demands of Wall Street. Then in horse racing it was a clannish group called "the Dinnies" refusing to share power and unable to see that vast overproduction and unbridled greed had created a subprime-like bubble in the market. Overpriced animals of dubious quality and drug-enhanced performance on the track were undermining the integrity of competition and ultimately the very breed itself. With its economic model broken, its tawdry sales practices under attack, and its public image in tatters after a series of televised fatal breakdowns by horses in famous races, the sport was overdue for a reckoning. Headless Horsemen is Squires's comic but poignant critique of what is happening to the sport and the animals he loves, as he and a small group of unlikely heroes agitate for a return to fair dealing. For anyone who cares about the soul and survival of horse racing, this book is an impassioned call to arms.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805090606
• ISBN13: 9780805090604
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Times Books
• Length: 249 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

awesome book

very enlightening. i love the style this author writes in - very sophistocated, comprehensible, and i love the spilling the beans on the dinny's and the racing industry. if you love horses and in particular love racing then this book is a must read.

hEADLESS HORSEMEN IS WORTH READING IF YOU ARE IN ANY SEGMENT OF THE HORSE INDUSTRY

This book could eerily be talking about any segment of the horse industry. It's scary - but it's true. Great reading and a "must read" for anyone in the horse industry.

Squires is one of America's Best Story Tellers!

"Insiders rule what goes on at the horse track and what they do to win is better than any true crime book out today. No one tells a better story than best-selling author and a true lover of horses - Jim Squires. Now if he would just write that sequal to Secrets of the Hopewell Box!"

Shining a Light Where Needed

Eight Belle's tragic death after her excellent 2nd place finish to Big Brown's Kentucky Derby victory initiated much scrutiny into the practices of breeding and racing thoroughbreds. The resulting US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce Hearings brought to light the urgent need for reform within the thoroughbred racing world. I was particularly struck by the testimonies of Allie Conrad (CANTER USA - an organization which finds homes for horses no longer able to race), Jess Jackson (owner of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra), Arthur Hancock (Hancock family thoroughbred breeding and racing enterprises) and Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. Unfortunately, there is little coverage of any follow-through on the recommendations presented at the hearings. Jim Squires has done an excellent job of reporting on the current state of affairs. His status as breeder of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos and as former editor for the Chicago Tribune well-position him to provide the reader and hopefully the thoroughbred industry with a clear description of what problems any much-needed organizational reform needs to address. For those that care about thoroughbreds and horse racing, this is the first book that I would recommend.

A Must Read For Horseracing Fans

Squires book is an insiders take on what is ruining the horse racing industry. The thing I like best about Squires book is that he holds no punches and is painfully candid. From health battles, to personal feuds, to taking his finger and clearly pointing it at who is exactly at fault, the book is amazing. Squires has boldly gone where no horse racing author has gone before. He takes on the biggest and richest leaders in the racing world with an incredible amount of humor and humility. I would recommend this book for every 2 dollar better to anybody who has been lucky enough to bid on or own a thoroughbred. Three cheers for Squires.