Written by Edward L. Bowen; foreword by Gretchen Jackson; original oil paintings by Robert Clark. Hardcover coffee table book, 176 pages.
"The timing of this book couldn't be more perfect. 2015 has witnessed the end of the 37-year drought between Triple Crowns with American Pharoah's capturing one of the elite prizes in all of sports. This book celebrates many of the wonderful horses that earned their grade 1 victories between 2000 - 2014, casting their legacies on paper for future generations at the exact moment history turns a new page in the Sport of Kings. This book is about the horses. Not just horses in general, but these grade 1 winning racehorses. Ed Bowen examines each horse the way a doctor holds up an x-ray for a detailed evaluation of each horses' racing career, pedigree, and other colorful facts. A lifetime in the Thoroughbred industry has made him a walking encyclopedia of racing information. Try to imagine sitting on the porch with a glass of lemonade hearing his tales told with his Southern gentleman charm. Yet, his reverence for racing and his eloquent presentation would be welcomed in any venue in the Sport of Kings. Artist Robert Clark had a great conversation with co-owner of 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, Dr. Leonard Blach. Says Clark, "Blach started by saying, 'I was going to send you a letter after reading the book, but I was too excited to write so I said, hell - I'll just call. That is undoubtedly the greatest book on horse racing ever written.' He went on to say that when he finished the book that he set it on the coffee table in his veterinary office and all day long his clients ask how they can purchase the book. He said at least three times during our conversation that no one comes into the office that doesn't pick up the book and rave about it! Then, he finished by saying, 'It is a classic, an instant classic that everyone needs to read'!" This comes on the heels of Jane Lyon, who owns the dam of American Pharaoh, raving about the book online yesterday and telling people that it's a 'MUST HAVE.' "
