To ceejay...

[Observer]

Just wanted a little clarification...was it a handicapping book, or just a general type racing book or something about past racing stars you were interested in?

[ceejay]

Either. I like them both. Any other ideas?

[Observer]

ceejay,

Secretariat, the Making of a Champion
Ruffian: Burning from the Start

Also:
Decade of Champions is also a neat book. It's a coffee-table style book, with paintings by Richard Stone Reeves, and behind-the-scenes stories regarding the champions of the 70s. I believe it was in this book that I read how Seattle Slew would kick down the barn if anyone changed the radio off his favorite station!

A similar type book covering a greater time span is Royal Blood: Fifty Years of Classic Thoroughbreds. Again, this has paintings by Richard Stone Reeves with stories on some of racing's greatest.

For an interesting look into the mind of a horse, including thoroughbreds, The Man Who Listens to Horses by Monty Roberts gives a different look. While many are known for "breaking" young horses, Roberts "gentles" them into doing what's asked. Something that has stuck with me was his description of humans being the supreme fight animal with horses being the supreme flight animal and how this causes conflicts in the equine world.