Reviews and Comments Reveal
That People in the Know Are Raving About
The Abstract Primer
Of Thoroughbred Racing
Separating Myth From Fact to Identify
The Genuine Gems & Dandies 1946-2003
"I found The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing to be a great source of historical facts and statistics about racing. It's the only one of its kind."
— Jerry Bailey, Hall of Fame jockey and No. 1-ranked rider a record seven consecutive years from 1997-2003
"The definitive and meticulous research compiled in The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing is an invaluable asset for anyone interested in the historical facets of the industry. It contains volumes of information presented in a precise and easily accessible reference—serving as both a guide for the layman and a bible for the informed—and covers a broad range of both human and equine accomplishments."
— James E. "Ted" Bassett III, chairman of the World Series Racing Championship, former President and Chairman of the Keeneland Association and former president of Breeders' Cup, Ltd.
"This is the thoroughbred equivalent of The Baseball Encylopedia—and just as engrossing. Open the cover, and before you know it, you may have been held captive for hours without realizing it. My only complaint: Neither of my former race horses made it into the book. But don't hold that against Richard Sowers and his research. Blame it on slow horses."
— Furman Bisher, Atlanta Journal-Constitution senior sports columnist
"One of the more compelling things about this book are there are so many different components of the book that, whatever you're interested in, whatever you're exploring, it's in this book. I really thought I was just going to scan it. But once I opened it, I just couldn't put it down. It's such a fun book to spend time reading."
— Jeff Bloom, co-host of World Talk Radio's Thoroughbred Connection
"Richard Sowers has written racing's equivalent of a potboiler. In a sport that thrives on statistics, meaningful records are very often difficult to find. Sowers has plugged many of those gaps. In the process, he's going to settle many arguments—and doubtlessly start a few as well."
— Bill Christine, The Los Angeles Times
"A fascinating book."
— Mark Cusano, host of Capital OTB's Down the Stretch
"The best that you can hope for in a book is that it will not only make you think, but keep you coming back for more. The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing has done this and so much more. Sowers leaves the reader as satiated as a trip to a five-star restaurant. Nuggets abound throughout. The price of $53.90, including shipping and handling, is like paying for a claiming horse but getting a classic winner."
— Paul R. Daley, The Lowell Sun
"One word—sensational! The work that went into this book is mindboggling, and the 'unearthed' facts are absolutely fascinating.”
— Trevor Denman, voice of Santa Anita Park, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and the Breeders' Cup
"Sowers, after very thorough, painstaking research, has made the job of comparing horses from different years easier. Clearly, The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing belongs in every racing fan's library. It is a unique compilation of racing data since 1946, in a format never seen before. You may have every year of The American Racing Manual or a complete library of weekly magazines and stakes results charts, but without Sowers' standardization of major races, comparing 1946 with 2003 may well be impossible. It is an outstanding work that can be referred to every time a debate about Horse A vs. Horse B comes up."
— Cindy Pierson Dulay, About Horse Racing & Horse-Races.Net
"This is the most comprehensive gathering of facts on the modern thoroughbred extant. Thank you, Richard, for spending all those hours in the library. You have compiled and made sense of an extraordinary amount of information."
— Tom Durkin, voice of the New York Racing Association and the Triple Crown
"It's really enjoyable—a must for horse racing fans who want to find statistics, win a trivia game or learn about who really has accomplished what in the sport. People who sit around the dinner table and discuss what this horse did or that trainer, jockey or owner did will find this the best book to learn what the real answers are. It will solve all your arguments. It's great!"
— Bobby Frankel, Hall of Fame trainer and winner of a record 27 major races in 2003
"This book contains a wealth of information about thoroughbred racing from World War II to the present. It is a unique resource for researchers and all racing fans."
—Richard L. Hamilton, Communications Officer for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
"The book is a comprehensive study with a lot of good, interesting information that is all under `one roof.' "
— Arthur B. Hancock III, owner of Stone Farm and Kentucky Derby winners Gato Del Sol and Sunday Silence
"I can't imagine the amount of time and research devoted to this amazing work. This is a book I will be using constantly. I've told people to get it and will continue to do so. Anyone in racing who doesn't buy it has no idea what they're missing."
— Steve Haskin, Senior Correspondent for The Blood-Horse, author of Horse Racing's Holy Grail: The Epic Quest for the Kentucky Derby and 2004 winner of the Walter Haight Award for excellence in turf writing
"The book is excellent—a major work."
— Joe Hirsch, former Daily Racing Form executive columnist
"An invaluable reference that I am happy to have at my fingertips."
— Dave Johnson, ESPN.com
"If I had to offer a one-word comment, I would say, 'Wow!' I might throw in fascinating and valuable work. I picked up the book and figured I'd scan it for a couple of minutes. An hour and a half later, I was so enthralled that I didn't know when I was going to put it down. I'm amazed at the amount of comprehensive data in this book. Turn to any page, and you find something riveting."
— John Hernandez, co-host of World Talk Radio's Thoroughbred Connection
"(Sowers) has done the sport a tremendous service. He wanted (The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing) to be the definitive source, and it is."
— Jason Levin, host of XTRA Sports' Inside Racing and author of From the Desert to the Derby
"What a fantastic resource book! Finally! A complete, one-stop resource of thoroughbred knowledge for the Sport of Kings! Richard Sowers has saved all of us in the industry days, weeks, months—probably years—of research with The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing. It's a winner and a lifesaver for all of us who love thoroughbred racing."
— Chris Lincoln, former host of ESPN's Race Horse Digest and World Series Racing Championship
"Richard Sowers has put together a very interesting collection of historical facts. I believe anyone in the horse business or someone just beginning to have interest will appreciate the fascinating approach he has taken. From the coffee table to the professional library, this book will be a valuable source of information and a great conversation piece."
— Richard Mandella, Hall of Fame trainer and winner of a record four Breeders' Cup races in 2003
"Well-categorized facts from cover to cover—a tremendous tool for thoroughbred owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys and fans."
— Chris McCarron, former Vice President and General Manager of Santa Anita Park and Hall of Fame jockey
"Richard Sowers is God's gift to sports trivia that you can find no place else. With this one-of-a-kind record book, he has given fans of thoroughbred racing another dimension—just as he did with his recent statistical history for NASCAR followers. It was a pleasure to be reacquainted with old equine friends such as Buckpasser, Carry Back, Hawkster and John P. Grier. This is a gem!"
— Bob McCoy, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
"Most coffee-table books, you just put on the coffee table. You can actually pick this one up and find it's just chock full of great stuff."
— Lachlan McLean, host of WHAS Radio's SportsTalk 84
"A must-have for any dedicated follower of racing."
—Midwest Book Review
"Anybody who is interested in the history of the sport or enjoys debating who's the best horse, trainer or jockey will really love this book. It's a really, really worthwhile book—a combination of great writing and luminous research."
— Jay Privman, host of KMPC's Thoroughbred Digest and author of Breeders' Cup: Thoroughbred Racing's Championship Day
"People who have a passion for the sport should get this book."
— Ralph Siraco, host of KSHP's Race Day Las Vegas
"The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing is a great book to have, a book for your coffee table, a book for the racing enthusiast. There are facts you're going to find in this book that you won't find anywhere else. It's fascinating, a cool book. If you like trivia, records and statistics, you're going to love this book."
— Roger Stein, host of KLAC's The Roger Stein Show and trainer of 1993 Santa Margarita Handicap winner Southern Truce
"Great job! The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing is more than the `bible' of horse racing. The book should be required reading for anyone involved in racing or for those who simply love it."
— Stan Sutton, former Sports Editor of The Bloomington Times-Herald and author of Hoosier Locker Room
"One word—detailed. From front to back, Richard Sowers has covered the bases. He has essentially wheeled the entire pick six in developing this book."
— Tony Terry, Director of Publicity for Churchill Downs
"My library of equine books has been greatly enhanced by the addition of The Abstract Primer of Thoroughbred Racing."
— Richard Vimont, General Manager of Hopewell Farm, LLC
"An amazing and valuable piece of work! I have no doubt that this book will soon become a cornerstone of any serious racing library, and I'm sure it will be one of my most oft-consulted reference works."
— Robert Weber, Librarian for the National Sporting Library
"It's a really interesting book, filled with all kinds of information."
— Jon White, Horse Racing TV anchor