The Horse God Built: The Untold Story of Secretariat, the World's Greatest Racehorse Paperback – June 10, 2008

There was considerable research over years by the author. Meeting the people closest to Secretariat, those who were family members of those close to Big Red from the beginning to the end of his life. The races, wins and loses, records which still stand. Photographs in black and white capture the magnificent horse and those whose lives were changed because of their relationship with him. Eddie Sweat and his love for Big Red was reciprocal, no one knew "Baby" like Eddie.

This is an amazing story of Secretariat! 0Packed full of information that’s not known to most people. This would be a great book for anyone e who loves horses.

If you love horses and understand the bond that occurs between you and your horse...or if you desire to have that bond, you will love this book. I almost gave it four stars because, in my estimation, only one thing was missing; there are very few pictures in this book. Why do we not see more of what the book is telling us.; the winding miles of fence at Meadow Farm or Claiborne, Secretariat at play, at work, the faces of the people the author speaks about, etc? (If, by chance, they are located in the back of the book (I am reading the Kindle version and this review comes before the acknowledgements, etc. If there are pictures in the back, then please forgive me) I'm just sad about not being able to enjoy some of those photos of which the author speaks.This has whetted my appetite to read more about Secretariat (which I thought I knew already but so many more to learn) This books pulled a lot of emotion from me and I appreciated the author's desire to not only tell a story of Secretariat but of the unknown, seldom celebrated story of a man almost lost to the pages of time, Eddie Sweat...Secretariat's groom during the glory years. What a beautiful picture which has been painted by Mr. Scanlan of that man who loved "his" horse. Mr. Scanlan is a horse owner also and he states his desire to become a better horseman because of what he learned about the devotion of Mr. "Shorty" Sweat to "the Horse God Built."I was 18 the year Secretariat won the Triple Crown; I would be graduating HS in a few weeks. Too busy with my own horse in the way of any horse-crazy girl who lives and breathes the equine, I did not follow Thoroughbred racing though I could tell you, loving all things HORSE, the Triple Crown winners and the year they won. I owned a quarter horse named Barzal Bravo ("Bozo" for short) with thoroughbred racing blood making up half his pedigree. Helping my horse-centered world along, my family lived in the same equestrian subdivision as several of the Los Alamitos Race Course trainers and their "lay off" horses. I was often at those early morning workouts at the track with my horsey girlfriends; ethereal moments about which the author writes. My bedroom walls were covered with the daily race results from Los AL. Because I did not have access to much money on my own and most of what I did earn went to support my own horse's upkeep, I did not buy magazines or books to read and thus knew very littleabout this new "Big Red"...plus, I was a Man O' War purist in my heart. However, everyone had heard of Secretariat and I became a believer after watching him win the Derby and Preakness. As the day of the Belmont arrived, my parents had taken us camping. I only agreed to go if my dad made sure we had a working TV to watch the race. As Secretariat rounded the last turn pulling away, my emotions spilled out. As an equine artist, I appreciate the beauty of the horse and this was a thing of beauty...and history. I knew I was watching it being made right in front of me! I screamed! I jumped up in the air. Then as Big Red swept toward the finish line with the cameras struggling to even show the other horses in the race, I laid on the floor and wept like a baby.To this day I cannot watch that race without those emotions welling up inside me and weeping outloud...for the beauty, that wonderful horse, the history, his death and my youth long gone but remembered for a shining moment. Much like other transcendent moments in history when one can remember where theybwere or what they were doing, I

This was a study in Horse Racing in this country. I have followed the Triple Crown over the years but never under the back story surrounding the sport. The author brings to light the good, bad and the ugly regarding the sport. I give it a 4 rating rather than 5 because while the title emphasizes the Horse that God built the story goes in many directions. While very interesting and educating, sometimes lost track of the real story about Secretariat. However, would recommend to anyone interest in thoroughbred racing.

Great read about horse racing and the people on the backside of the track who receive so little recognition

The book does not cover the story of Secretariat and his rise to greatness, per se. The book's title suggests it tells the story of the horse when it really covers the backstory of the players: the owner, trainer, jockeys, and grooms. The author did his homework in that regard. I was especially moved by the significant coverage of Secretariat's main groomer, Eddie Sweat, and how, for the most part, groomers of even great horses often go unrecognized and rarely partake of the spoils which come to winners. The book is ok for all that.

I absolutely loved this book. It is so well written, capturing the special relationship between groom and horse. It is sad how all the accolades go to jockey and trainer, yet the grooms are care takers 24/7 of these amazing animals. I appreciate the authors thorough research and acknowledging other writers work about Secretariat and the racing industry. Thank you for the insight and educating us non-horse people.

This is an amazing read. Get ready to go where you had not expected to travel. The author is brave enough to let the story take him where it goes and we follow along gladly. Originally a story about a great horse and that might have been enough but it goes on to tell us about the society the horse keeps and how it influences his life. Not talking here about the high society but the low society the person who cleans out his stall and rubs him down. His groom Eddie Sweat is the number one person in Secretariat’s life and the hero of this story and how it made Secretariat a better horse and I for one feel it has made me a better person for having learned all about him. I loved this book and found it’s willingness to follow the heart line, where the deepest emotions lie to be extremely rewarding and I think other readers will as well.