Secretariat: The Making of a Champion

In 1973, Secretariat, the greatest thoroughbred in horse-racing history, won the Triple Crown. The only horse to ever break the two-minute mark in winning the Kentucky Derby until last year's winner Monarchos, Secretariat also pulled off one of the most astounding victories in the annals of horse racing by winning the Belmont Stakes by a record-breaking thirty-one lengths. Now William Nack updates his acclaimed portrait with a new afterword that examines the legacy of one of ESPN's "100 Greatest Athletes of the Century," and the only horse to ever grace the covers of Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated all in the same week.

I have been a big horse racing fan for some 20 years now, and I have read many books on throughbred racing. This is definitely the best book on the subject that I have ever read!

Not only is it an excellent description of Secretariat and all of his connections. It tells the racing fan a lot about what goes into training a horse and bringing him along before he runs his first race.

My favorite chapter is the author's narration of the 1973 Belmont Stakes. I never get tired of reading how Secretariat was running down the backstretch so effortlessly while Sham could barely keep up with him. Ron Turcotte didn't realize how fast they were going until he saw the clock near the end of the race.

If you love thoroughbred racing you'll certainly love this book.
This is quality writing! You'll know Secretariat's career so much better after reading this book.

It's too bad that Secretariat never got to race at the age of four. He might have been even better than he was at three.

One can only guess what might have been!


Big Red   December 29, 2002
Robin L. Massey (Jackson, TN)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

The original book by Nack was a hardback version entitled "Big Red of Meadow Stable". I have a first edition - don't EVEN think about buying it!

Seriously, this is a wonderful book. Anyone who loves horses should read it. Yes it's about Secretariat, but all facets of horse racing, too.

I guess I'm not a very good spokesperson, but really, the book is excellent - I can't count how many times I've read it (or let others read it, with some consternation)- not that I'm a ditz, it's like one of those movies you watch over and over - how many times can one say that about a book?

It's just that another fact or piece of history jumps out at you each time you read it. (Oh geez, I missed that before!)

Wonderful piece of writing by Mr. Nack - who some call Secretariat's "personal biographer" - it fits.

He was there to almost the end.


Better than Seabiscuit!   April 24, 2004
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I read this not long after reading Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit"--and I enjoyed "Secretariat" far more. I was reading it on the train and could not hide the tears running down my face. When he won the Triple Crown, one writer said of Secretariat, "He ran so far beyond known reference points, he left us with no measurable comparison." Secretariat transcended all the limits. His feat was deeply inspiring to me. The author was actually there with Secretariat and his connections day by day during his career, and writes with authority and obvious affection for his subject. The book was so well written that I absorbed that affection and ended up feeling as if I, too, knew this horse personally. He even unfolds the tale of Secretariat's pedigree in such an interesting and engaging way that it is helping me to understand current Derby prospects better. This is the best horse racing book I ever read, and I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.


Excellent read   June 25, 2003
Elizabeth A. Wendt (Hesperia, CA United States)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

With all the hype of this year's Triple Crown and hoping for another champion, the media managed to bring up bits of Secretariat's remarkable accomplishments. I remembered his Triple Crown, but had not known much more about this amazing animal. I became starved for information on Secretariat and thus came across Mr. Nack's book. What a wonderful, wonderful piece of work. I am thankful for the opportunity to read it, and finished it in two days, wishing there was more. Though he never says it blatantly, I get the impression from statements made by Mrs. Tweedy, that she never really had the love for the horse that he deserved, seems she always gave him a back seat to Riva Ridge, and I think he deserved more from her. Here is a remarkable animal with incredible abilities that served his human caretakers and lifted them up to a greater level. Thank you Mr. Nack for the thoughts of those who rode and worked with the horse closely, as they relate through their hearts the soul & spirit of the animal, and how truly great he was. That the horse touched you the way he did gives me faith in the hearts of men that we can appreciate and realize when gifts are given to us and share those feelings with others.


A Great Book for the Greatest Belmont Race Winner Ever   July 2, 2003
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This is a great book that captures the spirit and triumphs of Scretariat, who was more than a champion race horse. Just compare FunnyCide, this year's Triple Crown hopeful, in the Belmont to Big Red's stunning 31 length win, and you'll instantly understand how great Scretariat was. I sometime watch that race to get inspired!

Bill Nack lived it, wrote it, and his book stands as a great tribute that captures the setbacks and thrills of one of the greatest race horses of all time. You can't beat this book for a good read!