From the Clouds: The Unexpected Jockey and the Unwanted Colt Who Surpassed the Sport of Kings

Kindle Customer: What a terrific unknown story. We all know about Man o war and Seabiscuit but Stymie and Hirsch Jacobs is good for the soul...

United States on Feb 02, 2023

Zach: Giving this as a gift for Fathers Day

Canada on Jan 26, 2022

Ms P. Wooldridge: Yes, Where? Look how long Stymie and Hirsch were around, and just see what they did! I had heard of Stymie because C.W. Anderson, a writer of horse books in the 1950's and beyond, wrote about him in his thoroughbred-based book. Horses Are Folks which, if you have a chance, is a great read. Anyway, yes, Stymie was truly impressive, as much as anything because he knew how he wanted to run his races. Jockeys and trainers did well to not mess with Stymie's methods and viewpoints---just let him do what he needed to do. Look how well things turned out after all.
Though not having much personal experience with such things, I can say that I was fortunate enough to know a black mare, racing in Massachusetts, who had her own method, as Stymie did. I was told she figured out ahead of time how she wanted to run a certain race and would use any of three different methods for that particular race: for one race she would lag 'way at the back, wait 'til she thought the time was right, and suddenly, pouring on the speed, there she was, passing everyone and winning. Another of her methods: start among the leaders out of the gate, hold the lead, never give it up no matter what---and WIN! The 3rd...

United States on Mar 02, 2021

LeeLee8081: This is an engaging story about Hirsch Jacobs, a scrappy, red-headed Jewish boy from Brooklyn who started out racing pigeons at the age of 12 in 1916 and improbably, by the time of his death in 1970 at the age of 65, had become the greatest horseman in the history of American racing. Upon Jacobs' death, Newsweek's sports editor noted that he was the only figure who ever brought to life the storybook dream of all racetrackers -- that of the little guy who started out with nothing and built a multimillion-dollar empire on wits and skill alone.
While Jacobs was the "unlikely horseman," the "unwanted colt" of the title was Stymie, a superbly conformed, high-spirited, thoroughbred whose original trainer let him go in a claiming race for $1500 because he found him to be completely unsuited for the discipline of racing. Hirsch Jacobs was the winning claimant who recognized something special in Stymie. He took a chance that paid off handsomely over the years as Stymie earned nearly $1 million dollars in winnings before retiring. He became known as "The People's Horse" with his exciting come-from-behind finishes that captivated racegoers and made him one of the most popular racehorses...

United States on Sep 25, 2020

Rochelle Rosen: I don't own or ride horses but this is a fascinating book about a time in US history when life was simpler. People raced pigeons in NY and we were preparing for war, going thru and coming out of war. Hirsch Jacobs and Stymie are 2 heros you would never expect....1 a person, 1 a horse. I found it most interesting to read about their friends , Damon Runyon, Al Jolson, people I've read about , who are famous but never actually think of them as everyday people who do normal everyday things. The world of Handicap Racing was new to me and Claiming Races was also new. In fact the entire world of Horse Racing is most interesting. I also don't bet on horses or go to Horse Races, other than the Triple Crown, I don't even pay attention to any of it....and in spite of that, this is a wonderful, interesting , enjoyable book. I love reading non-fiction so I can learn as well as enjoy my reading. Novels are great but I feel there is too much to learn so I prefer non fiction. Read it and see what you think.

United States on Jun 15, 2020

ceejaymack: This is a great history of an iron horse who raced to age 8, started 131 times, was leading money winner of his time ($918,485 in the 1940s). Of his 131 starts, he won 35, placed 33, and was third 28 times. Trainer Hirsch Jacobs claimed him for $1,500 at 2, and raced him 10 times before getting a win - Stymie's record was then 7 wins in 50 starts. Things changed soon under Jacobs' stewardship, however. Stymie won 19 important stakes and handicap races until 1949 when he was retired with a broken sesamoid bone. At first I was put off by the beginning which was about Mr. Jacobs early life, and wanted to read about the horse. But in the end I understood that to understand their success, it was necessary to understand Mr. Jacobs. He made Stymie a champion, and Stymie made Mr. Jacobs a hall of fame trainer. Both horse and trainer began life humbly and without each other, it's probable neither would have reached the pinnacle of horse racing success that they achieved. A satisfying read for this horse racing fan who knew of both, but had no idea of the real story.

United States on Nov 14, 2019

John Mawson: I have not been able to put it down but i feel I should have read Sea biscuit first to tie in with this book

United Kingdom on Sep 04, 2019

watford: The book tells the story of the men and horses running in the eastern states of the USA in the 1940's. To read that a horse who became a very important stallion survived a near fatal injury by having his leg held up until it could be wrapped is fascinating. Stymie ran an incredible number of times but you learn the trainer didn't do hard training gallops the horse was raced to get fit. I found this book hard to put down and I now keep going back to re-read sections. Well written and interesting read.

United Kingdom on Apr 29, 2019

C: good

United Kingdom on Oct 01, 2018