Squires' New Book Worth a Read

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

jr — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:38:42 GMT

Since when did Jesse Jackson become the savior of the sport. I do not know why this ever started. He uses one of the most questionable trainers in the business, has been involved in multiple lawsuits and ran Curlin and will run RA into the ground. Please stop putting him on a pedestal. Many more came into this sport the same way and people praised them. Why? Remember The Hunt Brothers, Stronach etc. etc.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Edward — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:57:08 GMT

Rick Barton- do you have no shame? You didn't read the book but you have so many critiques? If you read your own commentys are nit embarrassed, then you really are a fool.

As an outsider who does a lot of high-end auction buying and selling in other fields, I never cease to be amazed at the all of the downright criminal aspects, no less the multitude of conflicts of interest in the horse selling business. It certainly has kept me on the sideline even though horse racing is a huge passion for mu wife and I. For now, I will continue to be a sopectator and admirer of the breed until the sport is at least with-in a hundred miles of respectability and transparency.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Sharon — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:16:24 GMT

I agree with Racing and Reading, Squires is a terrific writer; if the new book is anywhere near as good as the last, I will be more than pleased. Just ordered it and can't wait for it to arrive! Anyone able to make the Kentucky Derby almost as exciting on paper as in real life deserves kudos! He writes with wit and the heart of a horse lover.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

racing and reading — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:18:13 GMT

I'm a fan of both good racing and writing. Jim Squires scores high with Headless Horsemen. And I would hold The Bloodhorse in better regard if Squires were invited to be a guest in print and online.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Abbie Knowles — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:48:33 GMT

Have not read the book so cannot comment!

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Skyfire — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:49:38 GMT

Rick, how about reading the book before you post cute comments?

He makes good points, and he is upfront - it is a good book that should not be brushed aside.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

katethegreat — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:07:03 GMT

Horses will always be exploited by

men, (and women). To what degree

is the question.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

needler in Virginia — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:26:01 GMT

Rick, maybe you should check YOUR facts before you sling mud; or possibly you have a problem with Mr Squires because he managed to breed a Derby winner WITHOUT benefit of your sage advice. For your information (although I have found that while you CAN educate ignorant, you can NOT argue with stupid), one of the reasons Mr Squires wrote the book was BECAUSE of the "test" at Delaware Park. Obviously he does more than just mention it, he discusses it in detail, so before you sound off like a geyser, maybe you should read the book!

Cheers to some, and safe trips to all.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Bellwether — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:33:31 GMT

BACK...BACK...BACK...ITS COMMING BACK!!!...LONG LIVE THE KING BABY!!!...

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Rick Barton — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:31:23 GMT

Let's face it Jim is a bitter man that has lost his rear end (the money he got for helping Ross P. elect Bill Clinton in '92) in the horse business. Thanks Jim, next.

Did his book give the details about how one of his horses had a positive last year at Delaware Park? Jim is a cheat, and he got caught cheating, and now he is trying to cover his tracks with a "tell all book".

I would have read his book but our Barnes and Noble had the good sense not to carry such crap.

Do you think the keeneland giftshop will hold a book signing for this press box wanna be during the Fall meet.? He is trash and should go back to Chicago and pal around with the Dailys.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Susan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:30:22 GMT

I haven't read his book, but I'm going to buy it right now. What is it about the horse business (whether it is Jockey Club, dressage or western events) that seems to bring out the worst in people?

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

lexxi123 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:49:34 GMT

Sorry to point you out LCM, but Jess Jackson???? He employes the biggest juicer in the game as his trainer?

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Bellwether — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:37:41 GMT

DID HE MENTION HOW BAD MOST OF THE TRACKS... BREEDERS CUP...NTRA ARE @ PROMOTING THE SPOT???...EXPOSE...EDUCATE...PLEASE...

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Bellwether — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:37:39 GMT

DID HE MENTION HOW BAD MOST OF THE TRACKS... BREEDERS CUP...NTRA ARE @ PROMOTING THE SPOT???...EXPOSE...EDUCATE...PLEASE...

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Bellwether — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:37:33 GMT

DID HE MENTION HOW BAD MOST OF THE TRACKS... BREEDERS CUP...NTRA ARE @ PROMOTING THE SPOT???...EXPOSE...EDUCATE...PLEASE...

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Michael DiMenna — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:38:14 GMT

Here's a fact that no one can dispute.

Jim Squire's has dedicated the last 15 years of his life to improving the breed and producing a better thoroughbred and he has succeeded. His horses are happy, well bred, sound and are representative of the classic Kentucky Thoroughbred.

Make no mistake, if you are someone considering becoming a first time owner and becoming part of this crazy sport Jim Squires is exactly the man you want to buy your first horse from.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

LCM — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:52:12 GMT

My complaint would be his not "naming names". As long as everyone is too scared to hold the crooks (and there are many) responsible, it will continue! Jess Jackson alone cannot clean up this unethical business...everyone needs to get some backbone and hold people accountable.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

needler in Virginia — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:38:22 GMT

CRINGE?? We can only hope so! Whether or not the Sheikh left Keeneland directly after 9/11, or was forced to wait a bit really is not the main point; the point is that, as most of us know, the business is rotting from inside out and the first casualties are the horses. Horses are now walking ATM's with crappy feet, surgically altered (but STILL genetically present) bad knees, and steroid produced body mass which harms reproductive capabilities, but that's OK 'cause their owners get to have their pictures taken at Churchill or Keeneland or Santa Anita, sell 'em or syndicate 'em BEFORE the damage begins to show and everyone is tickled to death.

It's been said here before, will be said again and should be shouted: racing is its' own worst enemy and the casualties are the horses. Racing has itself to blame; NO other sport has shot itself in the foot so many times with such predictable results.

I know Mr Squires and I KNOW how he feels about his horses; they are his charges, his responsibility and his dreams. He's spot on with this book......I finished it last night...... and if anyone has the right to say these things, he certainly does. Everyone should read it as soon as possible, because eventually the truth of it will be biting everyone in the ass.

Now I'm gonna go back and read it again with more of an eye to try to change things, rather than formulating a plan to begin destroying the people who not only created the problem, but also have stood by and watched it happen. Maybe Mr Squires' voice will ignite something here; the Dinnys and powers-that-be certainly haven't done much to help!

Cheers and safe trips.

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

Tim — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:38:24 GMT

I agree with your review completely. For those who don't want to take everything as gospel, thats fine, but where there is smoke there is usually fire. And to pretend that these issues don't exist will not help fix our sport. It is a good read if only to begin discussions on these, and other, issues.

Having said that, some of the errors are pretty bad. The least important one is the fact that he refers to the Kings Bishop is a 7 1/2 furlong stakes. That is my favorite error, because if it were that long, they would be starting from the the dining room of the Horseshoe.....

re: Squires' New Book Worth a Read

ranthonybab — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:05:10 GMT

I'm a race horse owner and ,of course, a horse racing fan. I read the book in one night and it floored me. The simple errors in the book don't take away from the book's message. Squires does a great job of holding a reader's attention. Every horseman should read it and from the buzz it's receiving I'm sure that most will. Headless Horsemen isn't perfect because it relies on plenty of hearsay. Prepare to read plenty of information about our industry that you didn't want to know about. Two thumbs up from me. Hopefully Mr. Squires rocks the boat hard enough to turn it in the right direction.