A Year at the Races: Reflections on Horses, Humans, Love, Money, and Luck

Thanks in part to Mr T, Smiley now owns a string of Thoroughbred race-horses and dreams, but only dreams, of leaving her writer's days behind her and becoming a full-time horse-trainer. In the meantime, she has compromised by writing "A Year at the Races", an account of her experiences as a racing-stable owner.

Each chapter reads like a letter to a friend and the entire book covers an amazing amount of ground. The author looks at the special role of horses in human society: Horses, according to Smiley are more intelligent than dogs and more like humans in their wide-ranging abilities. She considers the personality types of horses, compares them to human types, and considers how we both react to our environment, challenges and communities.

The book also takes a long, hard look at what horses have to do earn their living. Horses, unlike other "pets", are too expensive to be indulged as only companions: They must race, jump, show or carry. Mini-horses are even earning a place as guides for the blind. A horse that fails to socialize properly and learn to earn a living has a poor future. That gives owners and trainers a particular responsibility to help the horse succeed at its job and remain healthy and strong.

Where I am sure the book will draw criticism is in Smiley's use of "horse communicators," who claim to be able to "talk" to horses. It sounds silly and it's only when the author disarmingly admits that such activities are probably "rubbish", but nevertheless wildly entertaining, that you realize that it is not Smiley who is the fool. She is an intelligent and open-minded individual, who can explore possibilities that are beyond the imagination of most of us. That is what made her a Pulitzer prize-winner and that is what makes "A Year at the Races" a great read, even for those who don't consider themselves "horsy."


It's about Horses, Humans, Love, Money and Luck   January 21, 2005
K. Downs (Portland, OR USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

As a non-racing horse person, I really enjoyed this book. I thought that author did a great job of explaining the perspective of the amateur horse owner. She did it without apologizing for how much she invested (finacially and emotionally) or how she chose to spend her resources (like animal communicators). Amateurs keep the horse industry going in racing and other sports. I enjoyed reading a book that described how she tied her hopes and dreams to her young horses and how emotionally invested she became. I enjoyed learning about her relationships with her trainers and her other horses. I would recommend this book to horse people of all disciplines and folks who are interested in exploring the emotional lives of animals.

If you are looking for a rags to riches racehorse story pick a book about a famous horse. Seabiscuit and the Funny Cide book are great books about horses, racing and the people who were part of their greatness.


Pure enjoyment   September 29, 2006
Reader in Virginia (Virginia)
This collection of her reflections on the horses she owned and raced and the people involved were funny, poignant, and so true. I loved the horse communicator and I loved her love for the horse. She is such an excellent writer it made these essays so wonderful to read.


adult horse tales   January 5, 2007
Mary Russell (Riverside, CA)
Jane Smiley does a great job entering us into the racing horse world. She helps us understand the tension and excitement training a winner. This book is slightly less interesting than her previous one, but still a good read.


Great Read!   March 10, 2007
Charletta M. Wallen (Naples, Florida)
This was a wonderful way to spend time. Very informative, upbeat and entertaining with an insider's view of racing. Could read it again and again and enjoy it each time.