The best horse racing books

Who picked these books? Meet our 35 experts.

35 authors created a book list connected to horse racing, and here are their favorite horse racing books.
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Break In

By Dick Francis,

Book cover of Break In

Shelley Peterson Author Of Jockey Girl

From the list on the horse/human connection.

Who am I?

I saw my first horse before I could walk or talk – a humble mare with flies in her eyes and a feed basket tied to her nose. I was drawn to her with a magnetic force, and that attraction to horses never diminished. Over the years I’ve presided over their birth, raised them, and conditioned them to various disciplines. When it exists, the bond between horse and human is undeniable. In my novels—through family disfunction, hardship, adventure, and mystery – I explore how this connection gives young people confidence and the courage to overcome any obstacles.  

Shelley's book list on the horse/human connection

Discover why each book is one of Shelley's favorite books.

Why did Shelley love this book?

I’ve always enjoyed Dick Francis’s hair-raising novels about steeplechase racing, crime, and intrigue, and it was difficult to choose only one. His inside knowledge of the sport and his connection with horses makes all his novels authentic and informative. Break In features the jockey Kit Fielding, who comes to the aid of his twin sister, Holly, when her racing stable owner husband is slandered by the newspapers. Kit has a telepathic relationship with his sister, which adds to the mystique of this fast-paced adventure.

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Break In as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A thriller in which a champion steeplechaser puts himself into a perilous situation when a smear campaign in the gutter press threatens to ruin his twin sister's life.


Being a Leaseholder

By Nicolas Shulman,

Book cover of Being a Leaseholder: The Essential Guide to Owning a Flat

V. Charles Ward Author Of Fire Safety Law: A Practical Guide for Leaseholders, Building-Owners and Conveyancers

From the list on laws on residential leaseholders' rights in the UK.

Who am I?

I am a UK registered lawyer specializing in real estate and I’m passionate about my work. I am also a non-fiction legal writer. I don’t just write about what I know. I write about what I do. I don’t primarily write for other lawyers. Instead, I try to make the law accessible to anyone who needs to use it: whether they are a leaseholder facing service charge liabilities or someone responsible for the management of a block of flats. Since the 2017 Grenfell fire disaster, I have been following the evolution of new UK fire safety regulations and their practical effect on leaseholders and everyone involved in the management of a high-rise building. 

V.'s book list on laws on residential leaseholders' rights in the UK

Discover why each book is one of V.'s favorite books.

Why did V. love this book?

This is a comprehensive law book for residential leaseholders that deals not only with service charges and lease extensions but also with other associated issues including the statutory right to manage. It also deals with the practical issues involved in setting up a leaseholders’ management company, in which leaseholders collectively manage their own freehold. It deals with the many other practical problems which leaseholders face, such as noise nuisance and inconsiderate parking. The book provides simple directions through a hostile landscape.

By Nicolas Shulman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Being a Leaseholder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book is about flats. If you are thinking of buying a flat, already own a flat or work in the industry then this book is for you. The ownership and management of flats is complex and usually requires highly skilled professionals. This is because there are common parts shared between all residents which need to be managed and paid for. There are also special legal issues concerning leases, landlord and tenant matters as well as a whole host of legislation that specifically affects flats for example the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. With more flats being built that…


Dead Cert

By Dick Francis,

Book cover of Dead Cert

Carolyn Banks Author Of A Horse To Die For

From the list on those who are crazy over anything with four legs.

Who am I?

Although I grew up in the heart of a big city (Pittsburgh, PA), I have always loved animals. I had dogs, I had cats, I had turtles. There was a horse that pulled a wagon through our streets and he always stopped so I could feed him sugar. I still remember the way his breath felt on the palm of my hand. My parents would drive me to a park where I could rent a horse and ride. I’m old now and I’d have to be lowered onto a horse by a crane, but sometimes I think it would be great if that were to happen.

Carolyn's book list on those who are crazy over anything with four legs

Discover why each book is one of Carolyn's favorite books.

Why did Carolyn love this book?

This is the first book by Dick Francis that I ever read. I knew it was based on an incident that happened to him when he was riding in a steeplechase. I was dying to get to the accident and scared, knowing what was going to happen and when. Whew!

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dead Cert as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Dick Francis, the bestselling master of mystery and suspense, takes you into the thrilling world of horse racing.

Steeplechaser Alan York knows well the dangers of the sport. But when his best friend and rival Bill Davidson takes a fall in the middle of a race and doesn’t get up again, Alan discovers it was no accident. Someone rigged a tripwire to take down the running horse.

The more Alan investigates, the more he suspects that there is more to the plot than just murderous horseplay. But even as he approaches the finish line to this mysterious race, those responsible…


Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse

By Meghan McCarthy,

Book cover of Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse

Miranda N. Prather Author Of Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape

From the list on horse racing.

Who am I?

Before I could walk, horses were my passion and every thought. At five, Blackie came into my life a black Shetland stud and from there, I've never stopped enjoying a life with horses. Having been born in the 1970's I witnessed some of the horse racing greats from the television, and ever since the Thoroughbred racehorse has been my favorite breed. I've been involved in a variety of ways with the rehabilitation and transition of the thoroughbred from the track to new careers. My most beloved OTTB, Blue Blue Sea, overcame so much, and naturally, I had to memorialize his amazing life as a book. 

Miranda's book list on horse racing

Discover why each book is one of Miranda's favorite books.

Why did Miranda love this book?

I adore the quirky, offbeat illustrations that perfectly compliment the tale of an underdog racehorse who proved the world wrong. During his life, Seabiscuit was a big-name celebrity once the right team of owner, trainer, and jockey found him. The tale of an unlikely hero resonates beautifully during our current troubled times. McCarthy manages to use an economy of words to tell the story well to the youngest of readers. 

By Meghan McCarthy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Seabiscuit the Wonder Horse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Award-winning nonfiction picture book creator Meghan McCarthy tells the story of how an undersized, crooked-legged horse became one of the greatest racing champions of all time.

In the late 1930s, times were tough. The United States was in the middle of the Great Depression, and people were desperate for something to believe in. They found their inspiration in Seabiscuit, a rags-to-riches, crooked-legged, overweight horse who ran more like a duck than a champion.

Seabiscuit was the descendent of Man O' War, one of the greatest racing horses in history but he had yet to win a single race. How did…


Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby

By Crystal Hubbard, Robert McGuire (illustrator),

Book cover of Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby

Miranda N. Prather Author Of Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape

From the list on horse racing.

Who am I?

Before I could walk, horses were my passion and every thought. At five, Blackie came into my life a black Shetland stud and from there, I've never stopped enjoying a life with horses. Having been born in the 1970's I witnessed some of the horse racing greats from the television, and ever since the Thoroughbred racehorse has been my favorite breed. I've been involved in a variety of ways with the rehabilitation and transition of the thoroughbred from the track to new careers. My most beloved OTTB, Blue Blue Sea, overcame so much, and naturally, I had to memorialize his amazing life as a book. 

Miranda's book list on horse racing

Discover why each book is one of Miranda's favorite books.

Why did Miranda love this book?

Jimmy “Wink” Winkfield was an accomplished athlete of his day though his memory today has faded. Crystal Hubbard's powerful narrative and Robert McGuire's gorgeous drawings transport readers to another time and place and shine a light on the last African American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby. I love how the story unfolds and shows a loving child growing into a determined young man overcoming every obstacle the world sets in front of him. The tale is timeless and the historical context provides an important learning point to open a dialogue between the old and young. 

By Crystal Hubbard, Robert McGuire (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Born into an African American sharecropping family in 1880s Kentucky, Jimmy Winkfield grew up loving horses. The large, powerful animals inspired little Jimmy to think big. Looking beyond his family s farm, he longed for a life riding on action-packed racetracks around the world. Like his hero, the great Isaac Murphy, Jimmy Wink Winkfield would stop at nothing to make it as a jockey. Though his path to success was wrought with obstacles both on the track and off, Wink faced each challenge with passion and a steadfast spirit. Along the way he carved out a lasting legacy as one…


Come to Grief

By Dick Francis,

Book cover of Come to Grief

Rita Lee Chapman Author Of Winston - A Horse's Tale

From the list on horse lovers.

Who am I?

I have always loved horses and riding. My dream was to become a showjumper but, unfortunately, my opportunities in London were limited and although I rode a lot in Australia, my jumping was limited to the odd log in the bush. I’m an avid reader and particularly enjoy horse books written for adults, which is why I wrote a book for horse lovers. I have recommended books that gave me pleasure and which I am sure other horse lovers will enjoy.

Rita's book list on horse lovers

Discover why each book is one of Rita's favorite books.

Why did Rita love this book?

Dick Francis combines the wonderful world of horses with crime mystery. Dick Francis wrote many books and later combined with his son, Felix, who continued the dynasty after his father’s death. This is exciting and factual fiction. In Come to Grief, Sid Halley, an ex-champion jockey turned investigator, uncovers an obnoxious crime committed by a close friend, whom he had held in high regard. 

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Come to Grief as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is Francis writing at his very best' Evening Standard

Sid Halley, the ex-champion jockey turned investigator who appears in Odds Against and Whip Hand, is back. In Come to Grief he faces new dangers, new deeply demanding decisions.

Sid has uncovered an obnoxious crime committed by a friend whom he - and everyone else - has held in deep affection. On the morning set for the opening of the friend's trial, at which sid is due to be called as a witness, other people's miseries explode and send him spinning into days of hard rational detection and heart-searching torment.…


Blood Horses

By John Jeremiah Sullivan,

Book cover of Blood Horses: Notes of a Sportswriter's Son

Tom Bissell Author Of The Father of All Things: A Marine, His Son, and the Legacy of Vietnam

From the list on trying to understand your parents.

Who am I?

I'm a journalist, fiction writer, and screenwriter, as well as the author of ten books, the most recent of which is Creative Types and Other Stories, which will be published later this year. Along with Neil Cross, I developed for television The Mosquito Coast, based on Paul Theroux’s novel, which is now showing on Apple TV. Currently, I live with my family in Los Angeles.

Tom's book list on trying to understand your parents

Discover why each book is one of Tom's favorite books.

Why did Tom love this book?

Sullivan is probably best known today for his instant-classic essay collection Pulphead, but I actually prefer his first book, Blood Horses, a memoir he wrote in the aftermath of losing his beloved sportswriter father, whose special focus was horse racing and the Kentucky Derby. Sullivan, who cares nothing about horses and horse racing, tries to get closer to his lost father by covering the grand race and learning everything about the sport, and horses, that he can. This puts Sullivan on the grounds of the Kentucky Derby on the morning of September 11, 2001, while standing next to the Saudi owner of a celebrated racing horse. What happens when the Saudi’s phone starts ringing is too good to spoil here. An extraordinary memoir.

By John Jeremiah Sullivan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Blood Horses as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

One evening late in his life, veteran sportswriter Mike Sullivan was asked by his son what he remembered best from his three decades in the press box. The answer came as a surprise. 'I was at Secretariat's Derby, in '73. That was ... just beauty, you know?'

John Jeremiah Sullivan didn't know, not really, but he spent two years finding out, journeying from prehistoric caves to the Kentucky Derby. The result is Blood Horses, a wise, humorous and often beautiful memoir exploring the relationship between man and horse and the relationship between a sportswriter's son and his late father.


To Win Her Favor

By Tamera Alexander,

Book cover of To Win Her Favor

Julie Lessman Author Of Isle of Hope

From the list on romance with spiritual and romantic passion.

Who am I?

I’m a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen) who does everything passionately, whether piping company’s initials into twice-baked potatoes or writing Christian romance. Dubbed the CBA’s “Kissing Queen,” I fell in love with romance at age twelve after reading Gone With the Wind. Today I write Irish-family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together. As American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year, I’ve garnered 21+ romance awards, was Family Fiction magazine’s #1 Romance Author 2011, 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards, Best of 2014, 2015, and Essential Christian Romance Authors 2017-2021. So, I know passion—and these authors have it!

Julie's book list on romance with spiritual and romantic passion

Discover why each book is one of Julie's favorite books.

Why did Julie love this book?

Tamera and I had the same agent who said Tamera’s books and mine were similar in that both were “a cut above” your typical Christian romance. I concur because Tamera’s books are not only beautifully written, they are a wealth of spiritual passion that perfectly dovetails with classic romantic passion.

By Tamera Alexander,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked To Win Her Favor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.

An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He's come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he'd wagered, especially when…


The Edge

By Dick Francis,

Book cover of The Edge

Stephen Allten Brown Author Of Stealing Picasso

From the list on taking you to unexpected places.

Who am I?

I have always loved history and art. Combining the two makes perfect sense and provides the inspiration to keep writing. I can spend hours in a museum, just soaking up the magic in Impressionist paintings. I never get tired of researching the artists or their paintings, and I relish the unexpected discoveries. 

Stephen's book list on taking you to unexpected places

Discover why each book is one of Stephen's favorite books.

Why did Stephen love this book?

I love the way there is a mystery within a mystery. A group of actors is staging a play for the benefit of the passengers on a transcontinental train trip across Canada. The protagonist, who is undercover and posing as a waiter, befriends the lead actor and takes a page out of Hamlet, using the play to pressure the villain into making a mistake and incriminating himself. Accurate details about working as a waiter lend a sense of ‘David versus Goliath’ to the storyline.

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Edge as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Edge

To the Jockey Club, the racing world would be a better place without Julius Apollo Filmer. An expert in corruption with a devastating line in witness intimidation - and proving to be a slippery character to put behind bars.

Baffled, they call in undercover security agent Tor Kelsey to keep an unflinching eye on Filmer and his associates. A mission that takes him from the finest of English racecourses to the wild Canadian interior - on a luxury transcontinental train journey to end them all.

On board, a troupe of actors are playing out a murder mystery for…


Book cover of Buying a Flat? Have You Considered The Service Charges?

V. Charles Ward Author Of Fire Safety Law: A Practical Guide for Leaseholders, Building-Owners and Conveyancers

From the list on laws on residential leaseholders' rights in the UK.

Who am I?

I am a UK registered lawyer specializing in real estate and I’m passionate about my work. I am also a non-fiction legal writer. I don’t just write about what I know. I write about what I do. I don’t primarily write for other lawyers. Instead, I try to make the law accessible to anyone who needs to use it: whether they are a leaseholder facing service charge liabilities or someone responsible for the management of a block of flats. Since the 2017 Grenfell fire disaster, I have been following the evolution of new UK fire safety regulations and their practical effect on leaseholders and everyone involved in the management of a high-rise building. 

V.'s book list on laws on residential leaseholders' rights in the UK

Discover why each book is one of V.'s favorite books.

Why did V. love this book?

This is an honest little book warning anyone thinking of buying a flat to obtain full information about the annual service charges which they may be required to pay and what is included in those service charges. The author writes from her own two decades of experience managing service charge teams in many organisations. She gives a practitioner’s perspective, giving gems of information to raise leaseholder awareness of their service charge responsibilities.

By Anne J. Johnson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Buying a Flat? Have You Considered The Service Charges? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Practical information about service charges for those buying flats or apartments. Useful tips on things to consider before and after buying that leasehold home.


Black Gold

By Marguerite Henry,

Book cover of Black Gold

Dawn LeFevre Author Of Racetrack Rogues: One Woman's Story of Family, Love, and Loss in the Horse Racing World

From the list on horse racing.

Who am I?

Growing up, I was one of “those” horse-crazy girls who devoured every Black Stallion and Marguerite Henry book that I could get my hands on. At sixteen I began working at Atlantic City Racecourse in the summer and after I graduated college with a B.S. in Animal Science, I became a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. For thirteen wonderful years, I raced horses in New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Due to my insider’s knowledge of the horse racing industry, I based my book selections on accuracy as well as story.

Dawn's book list on horse racing

Discover why each book is one of Dawn's favorite books.

Why did Dawn love this book?

While I loved all of Marguerite’s horse books as a child this one was my favorite. This may be listed as a “children’s book” but the story is in no way “dumbed down” nor is the cruel treatment of Black Gold by his trainer glossed over. Featuring the charming illustrations of Wesley Dennis, Black Gold is a sweet but ultimately tragic underdog story.

By Marguerite Henry,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Black Gold as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

No one thinks much of Black Gold because he is so small. But Jaydee sees something special in his eyes. He knows Black Gold would be great if he was his rider! Finally, Jaydee gets his wish. And Black Gold grows strong and fast under his careful hands. Soon it would be time for the most important race in America. Did they really have what it takes to win? Black Gold's inspirational story proves that the power of love and dedication can make any dream come true.
Set against the thrilling and colorful world of Thoroughbred horses, Black Gold is…


Book cover of How Kentucky Became Southern: A Tale of Outlaws, Horse Thieves, Gamblers, and Breeders

Melanie Beals Goan Author Of A Simple Justice: Kentucky Women Fight for the Vote

From the list on Kentucky history.

Who am I?

When students ask me if I am from Kentucky, I say “no, but I got here as quickly as I could.”  I chose to make the state my home and raise my family here, and I have studied its history for nearly three decades.  I am drawn to Kentucky’s story and the paradox it represents: on one hand, you have the Derby, rolling hills and pastures, and fine bourbon, but set against that polished, sophisticated image are the stereotypes of a lawless, illiterate, poor state.  As a borderland, not quite north or south, east or west, Kentucky offers a fascinating lens through which to view the nation’s history.    

Melanie's book list on Kentucky history

Discover why each book is one of Melanie's favorite books.

Why did Melanie love this book?

As a journalist, Wall reported on horse racing in Kentucky for many years before becoming a serious student of history, which makes her writing really readable. Today, most people classify Kentucky as a southern state, but before and immediately following the Civil War it was considered the west. This book explains the switch, giving horsemen credit for rehabbing the Bluegrass State’s tarnished image, albeit to serve their own financial interests. Besides introducing readers to the post-war history of Kentucky, it provides a useful introduction to horse culture. After reading it, you will understand why the Kentucky Derby is so steeped in tradition and why black jockeys, once so plentiful in the sport, are rare.

By Maryjean Wall,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How Kentucky Became Southern as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The conflicts of the Civil War continued long after the conclusion of the war: jockeys and Thoroughbreds took up the fight on the racetrack. A border state with a shifting identity, Kentucky was scorned for its violence and lawlessness and struggled to keep up with competition from horse breeders and businessmen from New York and New Jersey. As part of this struggle, from 1865 to 1910, the social and physical landscape of Kentucky underwent a remarkable metamorphosis, resulting in the gentile, beautiful, and quintessentially southern Bluegrass region of today. In her debut book, How Kentucky Became Southern: A Tale of…


Lord of Misrule

By Jaimy Gordon,

Book cover of Lord of Misrule

Shelley Peterson Author Of Jockey Girl

From the list on the horse/human connection.

Who am I?

I saw my first horse before I could walk or talk – a humble mare with flies in her eyes and a feed basket tied to her nose. I was drawn to her with a magnetic force, and that attraction to horses never diminished. Over the years I’ve presided over their birth, raised them, and conditioned them to various disciplines. When it exists, the bond between horse and human is undeniable. In my novels—through family disfunction, hardship, adventure, and mystery – I explore how this connection gives young people confidence and the courage to overcome any obstacles.  

Shelley's book list on the horse/human connection

Discover why each book is one of Shelley's favorite books.

Why did Shelley love this book?

Jaimy Gordon has written a beautiful, unforgettable novel that takes place at a run-down racecourse in West Virginia, where a has-been trainer forms a get-rich-quick plan with used-up racehorses. The story of Lord of Misrule, the legendary stakes winner, brings us into the heart of it, where everybody’s searching for something, everything has a price and what’s truly valuable is right in front of your nose.

By Jaimy Gordon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Lord of Misrule as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Longlisted for the Orange Prize 2012. He planned to steal with these horses, who were all better than they looked on paper. The trick was to get in and get out fast. But could he really pull it off? Could he be that sure, could he count on being that lucky? Listen carefully my dear. Lord of Misrule, he whispered loudly. Lord of Misrule, Margaret. Memorize that name.


Horse

By Geraldine Brooks,

Book cover of Horse

Thomas Dresser Author Of Hidden History of Martha's Vineyard

From the list on defining a place both quirky and unique.

Who am I?

I’m a washashore who’s lived on Martha’s Vineyard for 25 years. I’ve worked small businesses, drove school and tour buses, volunteered, toured and given walking tours. I know the Island. In my writing I’ve focused my love of American history on the backstory of Martha’s Vineyard. Hence my books comprise a wealth of research and information on each topic. I love what I do. And I like to think it shows.

Thomas' book list on defining a place both quirky and unique

Discover why each book is one of Thomas' favorite books.

Why did Thomas love this book?

Horse is an historical novel set in the era leading up to the Civil War. The focus is a legendary racehorse, but the story is about the relationship between Blacks and Whites.

There is an authenticity to the drama, which includes both real and imagined characters. Horse revolves around the life and times of Jarret, the slave who cares for Lexington.   

To bring immediacy to the story, Brooks imagines a parallel modern tale, with Theo mirroring the legendary Jarret. Horse focuses on specific places in a historic era. In my books, I try to make the story about the place, Martha’s Vineyard, come alive. 

By Geraldine Brooks,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Horse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Brooks' chronological and cross-disciplinary leaps are thrilling." -The New York Times Book Review

"Horse isn't just an animal story-it's a moving narrative about race and art." -TIME

A discarded painting in a junk pile, a skeleton in an attic, and the greatest racehorse in American history: from these strands, a Pulitzer Prize winner braids a sweeping story of spirit, obsession, and injustice across American history

Kentucky, 1850. An enslaved groom named Jarret and a bay foal forge a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record-setting victories across the South. When the nation erupts in civil war, an…


Reflex

By Dick Francis,

Book cover of Reflex

Robert Darke Author Of The Accidental Courier

From the list on thrillers to keep you reading until the wee hours.

Who am I?

I’ve always been a thrill seeker ever since I was a child when I was often in trouble for going on some adventure or other. Before turning to writing, my career included investigative elements from being a customs officer catching smugglers to detecting fraudsters. Later in life, I learned to ride motorcycles and biking has become a new passion of mine. Small wonder then that I enjoy reading thrillers, and now writing them. I’ve published two fast-paced novels and am currently working on my next full-length project. I sincerely hope you get the same pleasure and enjoyment as I did from my book recommendations. 

Robert's book list on thrillers to keep you reading until the wee hours

Discover why each book is one of Robert's favorite books.

Why did Robert love this book?

Dick Francis will always be one of my favourite authors even though I’ve never been to a horse race in my life! I once missed my train station because I was so wrapped up in his book. Despite always having a link to the horse racing world, they are not solely about racing. Reflex is a story of a jockey’s search for his missing sister—a sister he didn’t know existed until he receives a request from his dying grandmother to find her. It also involves a mystery surrounding the death of a photographer who is reviled because of the compromising photographs he takes of celebrities to sell to newspapers. Written over 30 years ago (before digital photography) paparazzi intrusion is as relevant to today as ever. 

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Reflex as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A jockey unravels nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail, and murder in this mystery from grand master of crime fiction Dick Francis.

Longtime jockey Philip Nore is no hero. But when he begins to suspect that a racetrack photographer's fatal accident was really murder, he sets out to discover the truth and trap the killer. Slowly, he unravels some nasty secrets of corruption, blackmail and murder-and unwittingly sets himself up as the killer's next target...

"Reflex enthralls."-The New York Times


For Kicks

By Dick Francis,

Book cover of For Kicks

Kate Watterson Author Of The Lake House

From the list on steep cliff page-turners.

Who am I?

Kate Watterson is the author of thriller novels for various publishers, and has always been a fan of the suspense genre. Good tension and a bit of danger balanced by an investigator who is on the trail, and she turns pages into the night. It is all about the hunt and the solution in her opinion, and of course, being perched on the edge of your seat.

Kate's book list on steep cliff page-turners

Discover why each book is one of Kate's favorite books.

Why did Kate love this book?

When Daniel Roke takes on an unusual job he does it for monetary and personal reasons and has no idea he is risking his life. Dick Francis takes you from Australia to the world of English horseracing with a clever plot that is unexpected and has a really wicked twist. He also can deliver some villains that inspire visceral dislike like no other author and doesn’t let you down in this intense novel. Well done and kept me doing the infamous reading into the night.

By Dick Francis,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked For Kicks as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Common sense said that the whole idea was crazy . . . but when offered huge sums of money to move to England and help the Earl of October uncover a suspected racehorse dope scandal, Danny Roke finds the proposal intriguing.

Swapping his job as proprietor of an Australian stud farm to work undercover as a stable hand in Yorkshire, Danny soon has his hands full. Whilst the Earl's attractive daughters Patricia and Elinor draw his attention, he finds himself ever more deeply involved with the vicious swindlers he is out to entrap. And if neither the money nor the…


We Go In A Circle

By Peggy Perry Anderson,

Book cover of We Go In A Circle

Miranda N. Prather Author Of Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape

From the list on horse racing.

Who am I?

Before I could walk, horses were my passion and every thought. At five, Blackie came into my life a black Shetland stud and from there, I've never stopped enjoying a life with horses. Having been born in the 1970's I witnessed some of the horse racing greats from the television, and ever since the Thoroughbred racehorse has been my favorite breed. I've been involved in a variety of ways with the rehabilitation and transition of the thoroughbred from the track to new careers. My most beloved OTTB, Blue Blue Sea, overcame so much, and naturally, I had to memorialize his amazing life as a book. 

Miranda's book list on horse racing

Discover why each book is one of Miranda's favorite books.

Why did Miranda love this book?

With darling illustrations to engage children, the tale of an everyday racehorse and a future beyond the track comes alive. Young readers easily become connected with the story through the thoughts and feelings of the average racehorse. The horse loves the track and the thrill of the win, but when an injury upends his life, he faces an uncertain future. In the end, he finds an even better calling in helping a special group of children who benefit from hippotherapy. I adore the story of how the second act of the horse is the best one of all.

By Peggy Perry Anderson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked We Go In A Circle as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

What happens to a racehorse who hurts his leg? Used to a world where the strongest and the fastest wins, how will he ever feel special and important again? Taken to a new place, the horse is soon carrying some very special riders. Some of them can’t walk and some of them can’t even see, but they play games, they wave, they smile. Like the horse, they may not be the strongest and the fastest, but they are all special and important. In this simple and sensitive story, Peggy Perry Anderson reveals the interconnection between everyone involved in hippotherapy and…


The Sea Horse Trade

By Sasscer Hill,

Book cover of The Sea Horse Trade

Valerie Ormond Author Of Believing In Horses Out West

From the list on horses and their humans.

Who am I?

I’ve been in love with horses since I was a toddler and have read more horse books than I can count. My favorite books are about horses and their humans – the bond that holds us together. No other animal reads a human’s soul like the horse does, and it’s one of the reasons for their success in equine-assisted activities and therapy programs. I’ve written horse stories since childhood and am proud of my three award-winning books in the Believing In Horses series featuring horse rescue, equine assisted activities, show competition, and dude ranches. I hope to create and inspire more horse and human connections through my stories.

Valerie's book list on horses and their humans

Discover why each book is one of Valerie's favorite books.

Why did Valerie love this book?

What’s not to like about a racehorse mystery written by a former amateur jockey, horse breeder, and mystery writer? The author, Sasscer Hill, also hails from my home state of Maryland! I’ve read all of her books, and this one, in particular, grabbed my attention due to the human trafficking aspect. Hill spins a good yarn while creating characters one loves or hates and places them authentically in the horse racing world. If you want heart-stopping action from start to finish, you will enjoy The Sea Horse Trade.

By Sasscer Hill,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Sea Horse Trade as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When Nikki works the January meet at Gulfstream Park near Miami, something about new racehorse owner, Currito Maldonista, worries her. Bad enough she’s expected to handle Maldonista’s evil-minded colt, Diablo, but Nikki begins to suspect Maldonista may be a Colombian drug lord. Worse yet, could he be abducting underage American girls and forcing them into the sex trade? Nikki’s world and Maldinista’s collide when Nikki’s oldest friend, Carla Ruben, comes to Florida to find Jade, the teenage daughter she gave up for adoption years ago. Jade’s adoptive parents are dead; and the exotically beautiful girl is missing. Could Maldonista be…


I Rode the Red Horse

By Barbara Libby,

Book cover of I Rode the Red Horse: Secretatriat's Belmont Race

Miranda N. Prather Author Of Blue Blue Sea Finds His Cape

From the list on horse racing.

Who am I?

Before I could walk, horses were my passion and every thought. At five, Blackie came into my life a black Shetland stud and from there, I've never stopped enjoying a life with horses. Having been born in the 1970's I witnessed some of the horse racing greats from the television, and ever since the Thoroughbred racehorse has been my favorite breed. I've been involved in a variety of ways with the rehabilitation and transition of the thoroughbred from the track to new careers. My most beloved OTTB, Blue Blue Sea, overcame so much, and naturally, I had to memorialize his amazing life as a book. 

Miranda's book list on horse racing

Discover why each book is one of Miranda's favorite books.

Why did Miranda love this book?

A singular talent of his generation and arguably one of the greatest racehorses of all time, few are unaware of the feats of the immortal Secretariat. Prior to his record-breaking three-year-old campaign, it had been twenty-five years since the sport had crowned a Triple Crown champion. Through immersive illustrations and the words of the prized colt's jockey, Ron Turcotte, the tale comes alive to delight a new generation and bring those who were there back to the glory of the red horse.

By Barbara Libby,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked I Rode the Red Horse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This book gives a vivid account of Secretariat's amazing and electrifying Belmont Stakes victory, which he won by an unbelievable 31 lengths to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.


Stormy Weather

By Paulette Jiles,

Book cover of Stormy Weather

L. R. Trovillion Author Of False Gods

From the list on to satisfy your horse story cravings.

Who am I?

When I was five years old, our reward for not squirming in church was a pony ride in a small dirt ring. Although it wasn’t until I was out on my own and working before I could take riding lessons, I never forgot the joy that aged, tired pony gave me. I soon bought my first horse, eventually moved to a horse farm, and never looked back. My novels are mostly mysteries set in the equestrian world, but they focus on the healing power of horses in the lives of characters facing complex and sometimes dangerous family situations. 

L. R.'s book list on to satisfy your horse story cravings

Discover why each book is one of L. R.'s favorite books.

Why did L. R. love this book?

You know this is going to be a great book from the author who treated us to other historical adventures such as The Color of Lightning, Enemy Women, and News of the World. Jiles has the skills to recreate a period in time so tangible, the reader feels like they've been dropped through a time portal, and Stormy Weather is no exception. Set during the darkest years of the depression, a woman and her daughters battle cruel hardships alone on an abandoned farm, relying and setting their hopes on their only legacy—a dangerous, rogue racehorse named Smoky Joe. It is a story of personal strength and desperate dreams, pinned on the back of a horse. I love a story about women with grit, hope, and a tenacious will to succeed. 

By Paulette Jiles,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Stormy Weather as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Oil is king of East Texas during the darkest years of the Great Depression. The Stoddard girls—responsible Mayme, whip-smart tomboy Jeanine, and bookish Bea—know no life but an itinerant one, trailing their father from town to town as he searches for work on the pipelines and derricks. But in a year of devastating drought and dust storms, the family's fortunes sink further than they ever anticipated when a questionable "accident" leaves the girls and their mother, Elizabeth, alone to confront the cruelest hardships of these hardest of times.

Returning to their previously abandoned family farm, the resilient Stoddard women must…